You
Have A Volunteer - What Do You Think?
The clients, patients, consumers are who it’s all about. Yet no one is more difficult
to read in the matter of volunteer program impact. Partly this is because the client
isn’t too accustomed to being asked how she/he feels about volunteer world. The
client may also fear reprisals. You should protect them fully in that matter. At the very
least, offer anonymity as an individual, and don’s share individual client responses
with agency people.We’ve bee pleased with the candor and usefulness of
clients’ comments on the BFS-6E form. We say only this: when doubt, ask. Thus for
those who fear some clients might not have the competency to comment, there are many
examples of clients giving excellent active feedback about what had theretofore been done
to, for, and with them without their consent or even input. Only be sure they’re not
handicapped by verbal or reading problems, in which case the form can be read to then
and/or translated, wit their responses marked down by the interviewer.
As with line staff and volunteers, a good sample of clients every few months is what
you need. Try to get people who are not particularly pro-volunteer or con.
Certain items are easily scoreable if the users wish to develop their own index. One
possible index of "client receptivity to volunteers" hasn’t been used or
normed yet. It appears at the end of the form as a Rough Scoring Key.
You Have A Volunteer - What Do You Think? BFS-6E
We’d appreciate your help. We hope you’ll give us your ideas on how the
volunteer program can be made better for all of us. We’ll be glad to keep your
answers as yours only; you don’t have to sign this unless you want to. Thanks a lot.
- What are some of the good things your volunteer does that helps you?
- What are some of the things your volunteer does that maybe don’t help quite as
much?
- What are some new things your volunteer could do that would be good?
- Are there any ways you could help your volunteer in her/his work? What are some of these
things, please?
- How often do you see your volunteer?
- When was the last time your volunteer got in touch with you (by phone or in person)?
____ days ago.
- What is your volunteer’s address?
- What is your volunteer’s phone number?
- Have you ever told your volunteer any real secrets about yourself, trusting that she or
he will keep them secret?
- Has your volunteer ever told you any secrets about himself/herself in the same way?
- If you offered the chance to be a volunteer in work like the volunteer you have now,
what would you do?: (Choose the closest to right for you)
_____ I’d do it tomorrow.
_____ I might do it sometime in the next ten years.
_____ It’s not for me; I probably wouldn’t do it at all.
- Do any of your friends want to have volunteers like you have?
_____ Yes, I’m sure they do.
_____ Maybe, but I’m not really sure.
_____ No, as far as I know.
Signature: _____________________________
Date: _________________________________
Rough Scoring Key
Obviously the answers to the questions in BFS-6E contain a great deal of useful
information not covered in the index below.
Q1. 1-5 points if one mentioned; 10 if two; 15 if three
Q2. 5 points if no more than two mentioned
Q4. 5 points if two or more mentioned.
Q6. 10 points if less than a week; 5 points if between 8-15 days.
Q7 10 points if known
Q8. 10 points if know
Q9. 10 points if yes
Q10. 10 points if yes.
Q11. 15 points – I’d do it tomorrow; 10 points – I’d do it as soon,
etc.; 5 points – I might, etc.; 0 points – It’s not for me, etc.
Q12. 10 points – yes; 5 points – maybe; 0 points – no
