Overcoming Tech Barriers in Volunteer Training: A Creative Solution

Are technology requirements creating obstacles for some volunteers in your program? Valerie Britt, Volunteer Coordinator at Hawthorne Education Center in Rochester, found a solution: group asynchronous training!

Valerie knew her volunteers strongly preferred in-person learning, but she wanted them to benefit from the Understanding the Somali People: History, Culture, and Migration in Minnesota session. The challenge? Literacy Minnesota only offered the training as a webinar and video session—formats that didn’t align with her volunteers’ preferences.

One day, like all of the greatest ABE staff, Valerie was reading her MN ABE Connect newsletter and came across the article, Volunteer Training Options: Categories and Formats to Fit Your Needs, which highlighted Group Video and Canvas Training as an alternative. Recognizing this could work well for her volunteers, she decided to give it a try.

How She Made It Happen:

• Two months before the event, she sent a save-the-date to volunteers.
• One month in advance, she sent a formal invitation and encouraged sign-ups.
• To simplify the process, she registered volunteers for the training through the Literacy Minnesota website, saving the volunteers from having to complete that tech step.
• During the session, she projected the video on a large screen and provided printed reflection forms for volunteers to complete by hand, pausing the video to allow time for writing and discussion.
• After the session, she mailed the completed forms for review, and Literacy Minnesota emailed CEUs to volunteers.

The Results:

Twelve volunteers attended the in-person event, enjoying not just the training but also snacks and great company. In Valerie’s experience, this approach had key benefits:

Reduced technology barriers, making participation easier.
Fostered a sense of community, allowing volunteers to connect.
Simplified event logistics, eliminating the need to arrange an in-person trainer.

If technology is a hurdle for your volunteers, consider hosting an asynchronous group training event! For guidance and support, reach out to Training Coordinator Meghan Boyle at mboyle@literacymn.org.