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Setting Up a Volunteer Program | Volunteers | Crafted Call | Crafted Call
Help Center / Volunteers / Setting Up a Volunteer Program Setting Up a Volunteer Program Gallery Owners Updated Apr 17, 2026
Setting Up a Volunteer Program
Build a thriving volunteer community by creating opportunities, defining roles, and building volunteer profiles. Crafted Call makes volunteer management seamless.
Enabling Volunteer Management
Volunteer management is an optional feature. Enable it to start building your program.
To enable volunteers:
Go to Settings > Features
Toggle Volunteer Management to ON
You'll see new menu option: Volunteers
Click Configure to set up your program
Once enabled, the Volunteers section appears in your main navigation.
Creating Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer opportunities define the types of roles you need filled.
To create an opportunity:
Navigate to Volunteers > Opportunities
Click Create Opportunity
Enter opportunity details:
Title : e.g., "Gallery Sitting", "Event Setup", "Artist Outreach"
Description : What the role entails (2–3 sentences)
Commitment level : One-time, short-term (weeks), ongoing
Skills required : What volunteers should have (optional)
Add more details:
Time commitment : Hours per week or total hours needed
Location : On-site, remote, hybrid
Start date : When the opportunity begins
Availability : Ongoing or specific end date
Click Create
Your opportunity is live and volunteers can view it.
Opportunity Descriptions
Write descriptions that attract the right volunteers.
Instead of: "We need help at the gallery."
Write: "Gallery Sitting: Greet visitors, answer questions about current exhibitions, and ensure the space is clean and welcoming. 4-hour shifts, weekends preferred. Great for people who love art and enjoy meeting visitors."
Clear descriptions attract engaged volunteers who know what to expect.
Defining Roles & Responsibilities
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Roles are the specific positions within opportunities. Each role has:
Title
Key responsibilities
Required skills
Number of volunteers needed
Open an opportunity
Click Add Role
Enter role details:
Title : e.g., "Gallery Host", "Setup Crew Lead", "Docent"
Responsibilities (bullet list):
Welcome visitors and answer questions
Monitor gallery conditions (lighting, temperature)
Report issues to staff
Required skills : Art knowledge, public speaking, customer service, etc.
Recommended experience : Beginner, intermediate, advanced
Slots needed : How many volunteers for this role
Click Add Role
Each role can have multiple volunteers (e.g., 4 Gallery Host slots for a Saturday event).
Role Examples
Roles: Gallery Host, Shift Lead
Skills: Friendliness, art knowledge (helpful), reliability
Commitment: 4-hour weekly shifts
Roles: Logistics Coordinator, Setup Crew, Registration Desk
Skills: Organization, teamwork, physical capability
Commitment: 2-3 events per month
Roles: Email Campaign, Social Media, Community Partnerships
Skills: Writing, social media, networking
Commitment: 2-4 hours weekly
Volunteer Profiles Volunteers create profiles showing their skills, interests, and availability.
Volunteer profile includes:
Name and contact info
Bio (short, about themselves)
Skills: List of skills (e.g., "Writing", "Event Planning", "Art History")
Interests: What types of work they're drawn to (e.g., "Community Outreach", "Gallery Events")
Availability: Days/times they can volunteer
Experience level: Beginner, intermediate, advanced
Background/credentials (optional): Education, professional experience
Volunteers fill out their profile when:
They sign up for the first time
They update their profile (ongoing)
Matching Volunteers to Opportunities Crafted Call suggests matching based on:
Skills listed in their profile vs. role requirements
Availability vs. shift times
Interests vs. opportunity type
Experience level vs. role level
You can manually assign or send opportunity suggestions to volunteers.
Building Your Volunteer Community
Volunteer Portal Volunteers access their dashboard to:
Browse open opportunities
View role descriptions and requirements
Sign up for shifts
Manage their profile
Track hours and attendance
Access guidelines and resources
Give volunteers a clear, inviting space to engage.
Communication Keep volunteers connected:
Send opportunity notifications (new openings, upcoming shifts)
Share program updates and impact stories
Celebrate volunteer contributions
Remind about upcoming shifts (24 hours before)
Use Volunteers > Communications to:
Send emails to all volunteers
Target by opportunity or role
Schedule messages in advance
Onboarding New Volunteers Create a smooth first experience:
Welcome email : Welcome them to the program, explain the platform
Guidelines document : Share what you expect from volunteers (dress code, behavior, safety)
Role orientation : For first shift, pair with experienced volunteer or provide written orientation
Feedback : After first shift, check in and gather feedback
Strong onboarding leads to retention.
Program Settings Configure your program defaults.
Go to Volunteers > Settings:
Program name : "Volunteer Gallery Hosts" or generic "Volunteer Program"
Program description : Visible to volunteers (explain your mission)
Hours tracking : Enable/disable hour tracking
Skill categories : Define the skills volunteers can tag themselves with
Experience levels : Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced (or customize)
Shirt sizes & contact info : Collect additional info on signup
Terms & conditions : Volunteers accept before joining
Best Practices
Keep opportunities fresh : Add new roles seasonally (more help during major exhibitions)
Set realistic commitments : "4-hour weekly shift" is clearer than "as needed"
Highlight impact : Show volunteers how their work matters ("You greeted 200+ visitors this month")
Recognize contributions : Thank volunteers publicly; celebrate milestones
Ask for feedback : Send quick surveys after events
Diversify roles : Offer on-site, remote, and flexible options to attract broad participation
Plan ahead : Recruit 2–3 months before major events to build your team
Scenarios
Scenario 1: Gallery Sitting Program
Opportunities: Weekly gallery sitting
Roles: Gallery Host (5 shifts/week), Shift Lead (1 lead per shift)
Volunteers: Mix of art enthusiasts and community members
Time commitment: 4-hour shifts, flexible scheduling
Scenario 2: Event-Based Volunteering
Opportunities: Major exhibition opening, gala, art festival
Roles: Setup Crew, Registration, Event Host, Cleanup Crew
Volunteers: 20–30 for large events
Time commitment: 1 day, specific times
Scenario 3: Hybrid Program
Ongoing: Weekly gallery sitting + email outreach
Event-based: Setup and staffing for exhibitions
Mix of regular and flexible volunteers
Troubleshooting How do I recruit volunteers?
Share opportunity link on website and social media
Email past volunteers about new roles
Post on local community boards
Host volunteer info session
Can I require background checks?
Not built into Crafted Call, but you can:
Note "Background check required" in opportunity
Collect separately and store securely
Track completion in volunteer profile notes
How do I handle a volunteer who doesn't show up?
Send friendly check-in message (they may have forgotten)
Track no-shows in attendance
If pattern continues, discuss with volunteer or remove from shifts
Can volunteers request shifts, or do I assign them?
Both: Set up open shifts for self-signup; also assign when needed
Volunteers choose preferred shifts → you can see availability
You assign roles/shifts as needed
What if I need background checks or certifications?
Document required certifications in role description
Collect proof separately (email, upload)
Track in volunteer profile notes