Field Placement: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (The Greater Sacramento Area Chapter)
Location: Sacramento, CA
Preceptor: Anne Ameye, M.S.W., Preceptor and Patient Services Manager
Student Name: Sarah Coffey
Year: 2003

Today, leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma affect more than 640,000 people in the United States. Leukemia and lymphomas are the leading fatal malignant diseases in young men and women under the age of 35 nationwide. Among children ages 1-14 in the United States, leukemia causes more deaths than any other disease. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world's largest private national non-profit organization concerned solely with improving the quality of life for patients living with these blood cancers and their families, until a cure can be found. The Society seeks to accomplish its mission through patient services, advocacy, education, community service, and by supporting scientific research. Since the Society was founded in 1949, it has grown to 59 chapters throughout the country. The Greater Sacramento Area Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society serves 36 counties in Northern California and Northern Nevada. The Chapter office is located in Sacramento, California.

Like many non-profit organizations, the Society realizes the importance of volunteers as a valuable resource, supporting all Chapter objectives and activities, and acting as natural ambassadors for the Society. The Society wanted to revamp its informal volunteer program and create a systematic, structured volunteer program that would tap into the enthusiasm, dedication, and skills of local volunteers. To begin, a confidential staff initial needs assessment was conducted to assess attitudes and beliefs about staff need for volunteers and two volunteer coordinators in sister agencies were consulted to gather best practice information. Then, a volunteer application and recommitment packet were sent to potential volunteers, while the administrative staff worked on establishing a special volunteer area. From there, we conducted another staff needs assessment to identify potential volunteer activities and the volunteer coordinator and volunteer coordinating assistant were trained to take over the program. We then concluded the internship by holding a staff in-service on volunteer management.

During this entire process, the necessary tools, forms, and templates were developed including protocol for staff to request volunteers; templates and ideas for volunteer recruitment, interviewing, orientation, and recognition; information and tools for the evaluation of volunteer programs. In addition, potential grant opportunities to support the volunteer program and its expansion were explored. The foundation was established for the future success of the volunteer coordinator to continue with program implementation.

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