Why Staff/Volunteer Training Matters & How to Do It Right

Training shouldn’t be an afterthought. But for many organizations, it becomes one—squeezed in between urgent tasks, passed along informally, or pieced together on the fly. When time is short and resources are stretched, it’s easy to assume new staff or volunteers will “pick it up as they go.” The result? People start off uncertain, make preventable mistakes, or miss out on important context that would help them succeed.

Thoughtful training does more than share information. It sets people up for success, helps them feel confident in their roles, and creates more consistent, effective work across your organization. When done well, it also helps preserve institutional knowledge—so key practices, values, and know-how don’t disappear when someone moves on. Whether you’re welcoming new volunteers, onboarding staff, or introducing board members to their responsibilities, the way you train shapes their ability to contribute.

This webinar introduces a simple method for creating effective training. You don’t need fancy tools—just a clear process and intent. We’ll walk through a framework built around backward planning: start by naming the outcomes you want, then decide how to assess learning, and finally, design sessions that help people achieve them.

We’ll also talk about why common approaches like shadowing often fall short—and how small adjustments can make a big difference. A bit of structure, a clear checklist, and some basic guidance can turn a well-meaning but vague experience into something far more useful and engaging.

You’ll leave with simple steps to strengthen your training approach, whether you’re starting from scratch or improving something already in place.

By the end of this webinar, you’ll be able to:

Recognize how training supports your organization’s goals
Define clear learning outcomes for staff and volunteers
Choose simple ways to assess whether people are learning
Outline training sessions that are focused, useful, and effective

VIRTUAL | July 30, 2025 | 1pm-2pm EST

Register

Your Instructor Margaret Helthaler

Margaret Helthaler is the Director of Marketing at Niche Academy, but she isn’t your typical marketer. With a BFA in graphic design, MFA in visual art, and a certificate in eLearning Instructional Design and Development, Margaret was a freelance graphic designer and college professor for many years—including over a decade of online teaching, curriculum development, training, and faculty management. She served Niche Academy as an instructional designer for three years before assuming her current marketing role. In her spare time, Margaret enjoys hiking, photography, and other creative pursuits.

Register

Why Staff/Volunteer Training Matters & How to Do It Right