Create Volunteer Events

New events are created as Draft events, allowing you to update any contacts, shifts, and other details before publishing.

  1. Navigate to the Volunteer Events area by selecting Volunteering in the navigation and then clicking on the Volunteer Events tile.

  2. On the Volunteer Events page, click on the Create event button.

  3. On the Create Event page, provide the details for your event.

    1. In the Event Details tab...

      1. Provide a short and descriptive name for the event.

        Note: The event search will pick up keywords included in the name.

      2. Optional - Enter a description.

        Note: The event search will pick up keywords included in the description.

        Tip: You can use the description to tell volunteers about the work that will be done at the event, provide important details like meetup instructions or age restrictions, and include additional steps volunteers may need to complete after signing up.

         

      1. Optional - Add an image to your event listing by clicking on the pencil icon and then selecting your image file. You can then adjust the thumbnail before saving.

       

       

      Warning: The selected partner cannot be changed after the event is saved.

      1. In the Corporate Partner section, click on the dropdown and select a partner or community in the YourCause Global Good Network that your event will be available to.

        • If this event if for a specific partner, select their name.

          Note: A corporate partner is a partnership between a nonprofit and a YourCause client. Clients must create the partnership in YourCause CSRconnect using the Community Partner feature for their name to appear in the dropdown. YourCause is not able to assist with questions on how to become a partner.

        • If this event is not for a specific partner, select All communities.

       

      1. Depending on where your event is location, take the following action:

        • For virtual events or events that do not have a specific location, enable the Virtual event (Online only) option.

          Note: This can apply to events that are online or even in a volunteer's home or office. For example, an event where volunteers knit sweaters to donate to a shelter.

        • For in-person events, enter the address in the Location field.

      2. Optional - Include instructions for your volunteers in the Meetup instructions field, such as parking details, dress code, policies, frequently asked questions, etc.

        Note: Instructions are limited to 1,000 characters including spaces.

       

      1. To allow participants to join a waitlist if no shifts are available at registration, enable the checkbox in the Participation Waitlist section.

        Note: Enabling the waitlist applies to all shifts that have a limited capacity. It cannot be enabled only for specific shifts. If spots become available, volunteers will automatically be moved to the event in the order they joined the waitlist for the given shift.

       

      1. In the Skills section, click on Select skills to choose the different skills that volunteers will need for the event.

        Note: Skills are searchable by potential volunteers.

       

    2. In the Event Schedule tab...

      1. In the Date and Time section, select the Start Date/Time and End Date/Time for the event.

        Note: You can also adjust the Time Zone if different from the default.

         

      1. Optional - Enable the Setup registration dates option if there is a specific date range when volunteers can sign up. After enabling, select the Registration Start Date and Registration End Date.

        Note: The Registration End Date must be before the event's End Date. If left unchecked, volunteers can sign up any time after the event is published.

         

      Note: A Default Shift that spans the entire event is automatically added when the event is created. Participants will only be able to register for the Start Date/Time defined for the event. If your event spans multiple days or requires alternate time slots, it is recommended to add shifts after creating the event.

  4. Click Save to save the event as a Draft.

After saving the event, the Manage Event page appears or you can return to the main Volunteer Events page to open this page. From here, you can customize the event, including:

Warning: Any contacts, shifts, documents, and photos must be updated while the event is in Draft. Changes cannot be made to events after publishing.

Tip: Alternatively, you can create a new event by copying an existing event. On the Volunteer Events page, select the ellipsis icon next to the event and then Copy event.