The Volunteer APP is really several Application Interfaces into one or more databases. They can be completely hosted as a single System, or integrated into an existing agency/organization’s system through the System’s Common Object Interfaces and Methods. This System  tool can provide many opportunities for organizations and individuals.

 

It is currently envisioned that they break into the following categories:

• General Public

• Organization/Agency

• Interagency

• Emergency/Outage

• Just Being There

• Potentially some other specialty applications or searches for things like Doctors, Humanitarian Relief, Search and Rescue, Disaster Recovery, etc.

 

General Public

 

For the General Public, it provides a way to get involved with certain organizations and causes. It can also serve as a way to build new skills, references, and potential jobs. An individual would register on the site and enter some information:

• Profile – A little about themselves and their goals

• Current Status (available or unavailable)

• Past Volunteer Work or Experience (as they wish to provide)

• Availability (general and in an emergency)

• Personal resources (transportation, tools, computers, remote access)

• Skill sets with ability (want to learn, basics, proficient, licensed) for a variety of professional, office, social, and other skills <skill sheet available on request>

• Filters on who can see your profile (specific Organizations, categories of organizations, types of service, types of skills, specifically excluded organizations or types of organizations)

• Filters on information to receive (types of service, availability time, announcements)

 

Individuals can check individual Organization profiles, ratings/reviews, current needs, and announcements, or do a number of searches based on organization type, category of available activities, and skills needs.

 

It is envisioned that the tool supports a variety of general as well as specific training required by the organization.  Some sites may require initial screening and then provide a special access to parts of their system for any special training, support, etc. An extreme example of this could be a person volunteering to provide a “level of responsibility” support during a Disaster  or Outage(e.g. “At Risk” Site Checks, Provide local or remote Logistics or Services Support, Telemedicine, etc.) that would require role assignment, special equipment/capabilities, background checks, downloaded APPs and information, practical and situational training, and readiness and emergency response testing.

 

Organizations/Agencies (autonomous)

 

The System would allow (virtually) any organization to register themselves up on the site. They could be a church group, social group, veteran’s chapter, PTA, school group, advocacy group, friends, hospitals, government relief agency, clinics, retirement communities, etc. and could be looking and/or providing services and resources.

 

Organizations/agencies often need a lot of resources that can vary over time. Many already have systems that help them recruit and manage volunteers and requests for resources, and many do not. The System is designed to help individuals get involved with many different Organizations and Causes, while helping the organizations/agencies to find, manage, instruct, assign, and track volunteers and resource requests/donations.

 

An Agency would register on the site and provide information:

• Profile (mission statement, services provided, populations served, what they typically need, etc.)

• Current volunteer needs and requirements

• Links and relationships with other agency/organizations (see Inter Organization/Agency below)

• Current resource needs

 

Organizations can post on the general website, as well as send announcements, request for services, and requests for resources to registered members of the general website that fit the individual’s volunteer profile and filters.

Once there is an acceptance between the individual and organization, the individual could be provided access to a private section of the organization’s general site to get training, special instructions, training, escalations, online help, escalations, etc.)

 

Another private section of the general Website allows the organization to track their interaction with the individual (see “Feedback Loop” below)

 

Inter Organization/Agency

 

Many Organizations and agencies help each other. This can be due to lack of their own resources, an unusual need, or services that they so not perform.

 

There are two main pieces to Interagency Cooperation. The 1st is to send out general requests for support (volunteers and/or resources) to other organizations that have included the organization or type of organization in their Inter Organization/Agency Profile. This can be especially beneficial for one off needs, or general referrals for additional services. An example could be a planned general neighborhood cleanup (paint, repair, cleanup, landscaping), or needing a special type of equipment or skill.

 

The 2nd one is a much tighter relationship, where two or more agencies are coordinating services to individuals or other organizations. This part of the System allows an individual or organization to be identified (through the Identity and Information services of the System), and then the events associated with the individual or organization are scheduled, tracked, and escalated as needed.  Examples of this would include supporting the homeless or a full deployment of resources for a disaster or outage for checking-in, food, housing, medical, clothing, etc.

 

Feedback Loops

 

The system would use (or leverage) off of end-user feedback loops that would allow volunteers to be able to relate their experiences (publically or privately), and allow the Agency/Organization to respond to any issues.

 

It is unclear at this point if that registered Organizations/Agencies could provide interagency feedback on the Volunteers. There are a lot of interesting things that agencies would like to know about a potential volunteer that may not be able to be shared with other Agencies. It is envisioned that Agencies would be able to maintain their own information about the individual.

• Training received

• General Rating

• General Overview

• Background Checks

• Agency evaluation of skills levels

• Total Hours Volunteered

• “Time Card” Log (hours, signoff, activity, comments, rating)

• Personnel Incidents

 

Just Being There

 

The Just Being There APP (interface) is basically a Social APP for individuals that are not associated with an agency/organization. It is primarily set up to provide people with access to someone they can talk to, visit, or perform some errands for shut-ins or individuals with limited access outside of their homes. There are several privacy, authentication, and check issues, but these can probably be overcome using a variety of existing methods (eBay seller ratings, posting to private blogs, doing web checks on individuals, maintain logs of correspondence, getting a network phone #, etc.).

 

“Just Being There” has the highest risk to the two parties involved. It is not unlike online dating, and in some ways goes farther in terms of relationships.  There are ways of beefing up security for both individuals, using protected data space on the site that can contain information about the individuals involved. This would be similar (or more extensive of ) checks that a person should do for any individual working in their home or carrying on an online/phone relationship with someone they do not know.

 

For example:

• Have general predefined instructions, warnings, and agreement that individuals would need to read and acknowledge(there could be caveats for individuals that are not likely to be scammed, or through a trusted second party approval)

  • Do not provide any information about social security numbers, bank information (accounts numbers, amount of money, checks, ATM cards or codes); access to computer, smartphone or accounts; access to tax returns; Jewelry or safes; etc.

  • Not give or accept any cash, check, or jewelry over $20

  • Have a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance if driving the other person

  • Do not directly or indirectly sell any service to the individual

• Allow people to have a ID check to verify who they are (site would only say verified) and include the name and picture from the ID check

• Allow people to have a background check showing a pass/fail, and if the individual wants to explain anything

• Automatic check for sex offenders

• Automatic check for criminal records

•  Supply references (which in turn may be able to be checked)

• Possible State Licensing