Human Resource Management
Human Resources within a nonprofit organization includes paid staff and leadership as well as volunteer recruitment. Nonprofit organizations must marry good business practices and resourcefulness with a clear cause or vision. Challenges (and opportunities) in the area of human resources come from the small size of many organizations, perceived lack of career opportunities, limited professional development funding and the insufficient focus of boards of directors on human resource management.
1. Develop a long-term strategy within your organization for recruitment and retention.
The board and the senior management team must recognize that human resources is a primary focus for the organization. A full-fledged human resource plan includes compensation, benefits, evaluation, non-financial recognition and incentives, professional development and promotion opportunities. Retention strategies are as important as recruitment as high turnover can be very costly in the long-term. How you treat people will determine whether you can have the sustained talent pool that your organization needs. By looking at retention issues creatively and seriously, you can compensate for the lack of monetary compensation within the sector.
2. Recruit a Human Resources Advisory Committee which reports directly to the CEO/Executive Director and/or senior management team.
An advisory committee comprised of volunteer human resource professionals (perhaps retirees) can provide significant expertise and resources. The committee should report to a CEO/Executive Director, as a Board Committee can become a centre for complaints and a way to ‘end run’ the CEO/Executive Director.
3. Develop a mentoring partnership with an effective corporate Human Resource department on a pro-bono or tax receipt basis.
As part of a fundraising strategy, approach a corporate organization to contribute assistance to your human resources in areas such as: professional development, job evaluations, job descriptions, recruitment resources, compensation and benefit policies, legislative/legal information.
4. Check out websites for Human Resource recruitment and retention advice.
Do a broad search using key words: “recruitment, voluntary organizations”, “recruitment, non-profit organizations”, “volunteer organizations, recruitment”, “charity organizations recruitment”. Note particularly websites in the U.K: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk, and www.volunteering.org.uk.
5. Explore the Voluntary Sector Initiative (VSI) for information and participation.
A Canadian government initiative, the VSI is a joint venture between the voluntary sector and the government to strengthen the capacity of nonprofit organizations. The website, www.hrvs-rhsbc.ca, funded by VSI contains a huge number of links to practical human resource tools and resources including employment legislation, sample HR policies and procedures and in-depth guides to hiring, retention, development and performance.
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