Working with Volunteers

Recruiting, training, supporting and retaining CASA volunteers is at the heart of CASA programs' work. By tracking volunteer trends and providing printed and online materials as well as in-person support, the National CASA Association aims to strengthen our network to provide high-quality volunteer advocacy to every child in need of a CASA volunteer.

In this section, you will find resources on the following topics:

Recruiting Volunteers: Recruitment campaigns and messages, web-based recruitment resources, ideas for using non-advocate volunteers and other topics

Screening Volunteers: ChoicePoint volunteer and staff screening toolkit, volunteer interviewing and other topics

Training Volunteers: National CASA Volunteer Training Curriculum, continuing education resources, Moving Forward for Children modules and other resources. See a preview of the National CASA Association Volunteer Training Curriculum.

Retaining Volunteers: Supervising, firing and recognizing volunteers

Everyone Ready

In addition to providing the resources listed above, National CASA has contracted with Energize, Inc. to provide Everyone Ready, an online volunteer management and retention tool developed by volunteerism expert Susan Ellis and the staff of Energize, Inc., to member programs. 

• Read the Welcome Guide
• Register to access Everyone Ready online volunteer management resources

Listen to a podcast with Terene Bennett, National CASA training specialist, who introduces Everyone Ready. 

Additional Resources

Moving Forward for Children Modules: A set of lesson plans, PowerPoint presentations and handouts for you to customize and use to educate your board and staff. Current modules include: Boards 101, The Board's Role in Fundraising, Succession Planning and Strategic Planning.

2010 National CASA Volunteer Inquiry Summary: Read the key findings of a survey of potential volunteers who were connected with their local CASA/GAL program through the National CASA website.

Energize Online Library: Susan Ellis’s Volunteer Management Resource Library provides a wealth of information for leaders of volunteers. See especially the Internet, Online Community, Virtual Volunteering, Social Networking section.

“The Economy and Volunteerism,” special issue of the Canadian Journal of Volunteer Resources Management, Vol. 17.2, 2009.