Assessing and addressing member training needs

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Abstract

Always keep in mind the assets and needs of members while developing training session objectives and activities. Mosaica's newsletter, Training Briefs, will help trainers develop relevant, engaging, and meaningful training experiences for members.

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Issue

Designing trainings for members and volunteers.

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Action

Assessing and addressing members' needs is an essential step in designing effective, customized trainings.

Keep in mind that members' bring:

  • Both assets and baggage
  • Different learning styles
  • Varying levels of motivation
  • Personal needs

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Context

Effective training and member development require:
  • Developing a vision (knowing where you're going)
  • Understanding member needs (knowing what you have)
  • Developing a plan (knowing how to get there)

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Citation

Mosaica's Training Briefs. Washington, D.C.: The Corporation for National and Community Service, no. 9, (August 1998).

*Training Briefs were produced by Mosaica under Cooperative Agreement #98CADC009 with the Corporation for National and Community Service during July of 1997 through October of 1999. 

Mosaica: The Center for Nonprofit Development and Pluralism, provides organizational assessments, strategic and resource development planning, fundraising capacity building, restructuring support, and assistance in financial management and oversight. Other services include board development, program design and delivery, personnel and systems management, volunteer activities, community involvement and community building, community organizing and advocacy, program evaluation, and coalition building.

The goal of Mosaica is to bring together individuals with diverse voices and experience to create an organization with a set of common values. Mosaica was established out of a commitment to social justice and a belief that within the United States and throughout the world, societies that strive for democracy, human rights, peace, individual opportunity, and pluralism must be built and maintained from the bottom up—community by community, group by group—with the active involvement of nonprofit organizations and a strong independent sector. Mosaica helps strengthen nonprofits so they can provide high quality services and advocacy in a sustainable, well-run fashion that supports communities.

 

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Outcome

When training capitalizes on member strengths and addresses their needs, the result is relevant, engaging, and meaningful training experiences.

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Posted On

August 28, 2001

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For More Information

EnCorps
Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
101 SW Main Street
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: 877-250-1615

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Resources

See Assessing and Addressing Member Training Needs for more information as well as an activity that will help in conducting an assessment of skills and experiences (assets).

Source Documents

Related Practices

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Related sites

Starting Strong: A Guide to Pre-Service Training

Topic Areas

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