Over the summer you've likely heard some buzz about our exciting new online tool to help YOU, our dedicated volunteers, manage your volunteer experience online. We're eager to launch this important technology initiative that will help us deliver more meals to more hungry seniors! Below is some additional information about what the portal is and next steps.

Why do we need a Volunteer Portal?

The most important reason why we need this new online tool is simple—to feed more seniors by engaging more volunteers!  This tool will empower individual volunteers, group volunteers, and group coordinators to easily manage delivery schedules online.  The web-based volunteer portal includes the following features:

• Simple self-scheduling tool to help you deliver on your desired days and location

• Easy sign-up for new volunteers

• Online volunteer training

• Group coordinators can manage participants and routes with ease

• Automatic reminders for your upcoming route

• Ease in changing your schedule and asking for a substitute

• Set up Days of Caring for your community, church or corporate group

• Sign up for special projects like Holiday Gift Wrap and Friends on Wheels

• Help us communicate with you more effectively

Tell me more…

This exciting new technology is made possible through the generosity of the Lyda Hill Foundation and Toyota Motor North America.  In addition to the volunteer portal, we have developed a more efficient online check-in system for the Drop-Site Managers to check-in volunteers on delivery days.  Also, this technology will help us know sooner when we don’t have a route covered before delivery day and will alert us quickly when a route hasn’t been picked up.  Better efficiency means more seniors served!

When can I take a test drive?

Our plan is to launch the tool this fall, but before we push the “on” button, we want to make sure you all have the training and tools you need to ease the transition.  While this tool was designed to be very easy to use, we want to ensure you have the support you need.  We will hold several trainings at the VNA Haggerty Center as well offer a simple online training.  Supporting our volunteers through this transition is paramount and please know we are available for questions and guidance.

Need a little help from your friends?

Throughout the transition, if you have questions, please send them to portalhelp@vnatexas.org and we will be happy to answer them.  The VNA staff are here to support you—new tools will empower people, not replace them!  In addition to trainings, we can provide you and your group with other communication materials to help you and your group transition easier.  Please know that if making the switch to the Volunteer Portal is not possible for you or your group, we still want you to be a volunteer! As we approach the rollout of this exciting new tool, we can discuss how best to support you in the new process.

With your help, we will be able to recruit more volunteers just like you and serve more seniors in need.  Thank you for all you do for VNA and the seniors we serve.