Talent Management Program

"Paul Revere made his living as a silversmith. But he’s remembered for what he did as a volunteer."

The term most people are familiar with is "volunteer," but at the Preeclampsia Foundation, our volunteers are so essential to so much of our mission that we think of them as unpaid staff. They come from all walks of life, from various professional backgrounds, with various skills, from across the country, even across the world. Some have been personally touched by preeclampsia, HELLP Syndrome or one of the other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, but others may be called to make a meaningful contribution because they care about mothers and babies. Their motivations, while different and honorable in many ways, almost always include the desire to make a difference.

To reach our fullest potential as an organization, we are launching a Talent Management Program, incorporating new elements borrowed from some of the most successful organizations and combined with some of the unique characteristics of the Preeclampsia Foundation. The term is a symbolically important way of saying "volunteer management program."

Elements of the Program

Volunteer Application 
Required of all existing and new volunteers. Available online, this application will allow us to create a database that helps us better identify and utilize the talents and skills of our people, and ensure they are contributing in the best way possible. It is also important that we have up to date contact information for anybody serving the Foundation.

Code of Conduct 
All volunteers who serve in a public capacity, or who may deal with personal information or finances are required to sign this document. It addresses issues ranging from confidentiality and professionalism to accepting the policies outlined in the Handbook. It helps protect the Foundation, and helps the individual understand her (his) own liability and responsibility. This also helps define us as a trustworthy organization.

Volunteer Handbook
Provides an overview of the Foundation as well as basic policies, procedures and guiding principles that impact volunteers. Includes an organizational diagram of various areas where volunteers can play a role, along with who supervises those areas and how to contact them. It will eventually also include basic terms, acronyms and program names used by the organization, sample forms, and explanation of volunteer recognition programs.

Volunteer Orientation
Two orientation sessions - delivered via a free, quarterly webinar - are required of most volunteers. One session focuses on the Foundation’s mission, programs, services and organization. The other session will be a basic tutorial about preeclampsia, equipping all to speak informatively to the public in whatever capacity they are serving.

Job Descriptions
People are most successful in their employment - paid or not - if the role and their responsibilities are clearly defined up front, they understand who their supervisor is, what their responsibilities are, the time commitment involved, and how their contribution fits into the organization. (Job descriptions to be posted soon)