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To print this page, select the print option in your browser
Welcome to the voluntary matters 3 (vm3) website and thanks for your visit. This site is one element of the vm3 resource (see What is voluntary matters 3?) which aims to inspire and inform everyone who works with volunteers.
The vm3 site is easy to use. It has six subject areas: vision, motivation, diversity, decision-making, conflict management and risk. You can switch between subjects using the menu options along the top of the screen.
Each subject area features information, interactive elements and resources. Once you've gone into a subject area, you navigate within them by using the links at the right-hand side of the screen. (See What are the links on the right-hand side of the screen in each subject area?)
There is also a set of useful general links on the left-hand side of the screen. (See What are the links on the left-hand side of the screen for?)
To use the site you'll need to know how to use the basic functions of your internet browser, namely the 'back' and 'forward' functions and the print option.
If you want to know more about the site, the Frequently asked questions below will help. Otherwise, start to explore the site now – you can come back to this help section as you need it by choosing 'help' on the left-hand menu.
The FAQs are grouped into sections. Use the menu below to navigate through them or browse the page using the scroll bar. If your question isn't answered please let us know.
How is vm3 different from other resources about managing volunteers?
What is the purpose of the website?
The website is a stand-alone resource that covers the issues introduced in the vm3 series in more depth.
The site will be useful for everyone who works with volunteers (including volunteers!) and everyone who is interested in doing so, whatever their experience or background.
How does the site's design make it accessible and user friendly?
The site has been designed to make the content easy to use and accessible to all. Good practice in usability design has been applied to make the site easy to navigate.
Most of the content is compliant with the Bobby priority 2 standards (see www.cast.org/bobby/) and meets the HTML 4.01 W3C standards (see www.w3.org/TR/html401/). Where content doesn't meet the standards (in the quizzes and the videos in the scenarios) alternative transcript pages are provided. If you have any comments about accessibility or usability please let us know via the feedback form or contact us.
What are the links on the left-hand side of the screen for?
Do I have to see the vm3 programmes to understand the website?
No, the site is a stand-alone resource. You can learn a lot from the site without seeing the programmes. Each section has a summary of the programme and includes a case study of organisation that features in the programme. However, each section includes more in-depth information and new opportunities to learn.
How do I know where I am in the site?
Each section is colour-coded differently to avoid confusion between the sections. You can also refer to the grey bar at the top of the screen to check where you are in the site. Also when you are in a subject area there is a menu bar on the right which will highlight the part of the section you're currently in.
First select 'feedback' option on the left-hand menu. You can then give feedback in two ways.
How long does it take to do each section?
This is up to you. There are some elements that just involve reading (programme summary, case studies, checklist, and vm3 guides) whilst the scenarios and quizzes are interactive. For instance, you'll get more from the scenario the longer you spend exploring different options and outcomes.
What are the links on the right-hand side of the screen in each subject area?
Do I have to work through the subjects areas and elements in each subject in order?
No, you are free to navigate the site and subject areas as you please. However, the order of the elements within each subject area has a coherence and each element has useful suggestions for what to do next. You don't, however, have to follow this order to be able to understand the issues.
Why do the colours of the links change when I've selected them?
This means that you are able to see which options you have already visited.
On some Internet browsers, the next time you visit the site, the links that you chose on the previous visit will still be a different colour. The only way to change this is through the 'history' option in your browser (usually found in 'preferences'), which may give you the option to reset the colour or clear past links. Each browser is different so please use the 'help' function on your browser to check what to do.
How can I print pages from the site?
It's easy to print pages. When a page is printable there is a 'print page' icon on the left of the screen. When you select this you will be taken to an unformatted page, and you then select the print option in your browser.
Each subject area includes a scenario – this is the most unique feature of the vm3 site. Each scenario is a story that you take part in. There is an initial introduction, and once you start the scenario you're presented with a challenging situation and three options of how to react. You can also play a short video clip in which the character/s in the scenario will present the challenge (see What is the video clip for?). Or you can select to read a transcript of the video.
To follow the scenario you chose one of the three initial options, which opens up a number of other options, and so on, until you reach an outcome. When you reach an outcome, go back and choose other options to see the effect of your different choices.
The key point to remember when doing the scenario is to experiment and enjoy. The scenario gives you the opportunity to try out different ways of dealing with challenges, without having to test them out in real life! While some approaches may turn out to be better than others, there's rarely one correct answer. The purpose is to see the impact that your actions would have. The idea is to be honest with yourself, try different ways of reacting to things and have fun!
The scenario gives you the freedom to explore lots of different options, so once you've got to one outcome, you can go back and try another. Try going back two or three steps, or go back to the beginning and start again – either way, you'll get to explore other options, and get a lot more out of the scenario.
Why do the colours of the scenario option links change when I've selected them?
The colours of the option links in the scenario will change after you have selected them. This means you will be able to see which options you have already chosen.
On some Internet browsers, the next time you visit the scenario, the links that you chose on the previous visit will still be a different colour. The only way to change this is through the 'history' option in your browser (usually found in 'preferences'), which may give you the option to reset the colour or clear past links. Each browser is different so please use the 'help' function on your browser to check what to do.
The short video clip at the start of each scenario sets the scene for the scenario. In the video a character from the scenario introduces the challenge. You can also select to view a transcript of the video. However, it's not essential to see the video in order to understand the scenario.
How do I download the software to watch video?
To watch the video you must have RealPlayer installed on your computer. RealPlayer is the free software that enables you to view videos broadcast over the Internet in the Real Video format. RealPlayer is not part of the Windows or Mac operating systems and is usually not included with popular Internet browsing software.
To download the software, you'll need to have some information at hand including your email address, the operating system of your computer, and the type of Internet connection you have.
A free version of the software can be downloaded from www.real.com. Make sure that you select the 'RealPlayer 8 Basic' link which is in the 'Other Links' options at the bottom left of RealPlayer home page for the free version.
When you select the RealPlayer 8 Basic version, you'll have to fill in information on the Basic Download Form and then select 'download.' Instructions for your particular operating system will appear, with straightforward questions to answer. You then select 'download' and the RealPlayer Installer will be downloaded to your computer. The time it takes will depend on the speed of your Internet connection. It may take between 10–30 minutes.
Once this process is finished, click on the RealPlayer Installer icon on your desktop, this will start the RealPlayer Set Up Program. This has information about terms and conditions. It will ask you to specify where you want the software installed on your computer and any other services you would like from RealPlayer. You can choose not to receive further marketing material if you select the correct boxes.
Once that's done, RealPlayer is installed on your computer and it will launch automatically when you select to play videos on the internet
When you have RealPlayer downloaded (see How do I download the software to watch the video?) on your computer you will be able to play the video using the control buttons underneath the video 'window' on the screen. Once you choose play, the appropriate video will play. It may take a few seconds to download. All the video clips are less than a minute so you won't have to wait too long.
I can't play the video, what should I do?
The most likely reason why the video won't play is if you haven't got the RealPlayer software on your computer so you will need to download it. See How do I download the software to watch the video?
If you are having problems playing the video you can view a video transcript by selecting the 'transcript' link in the introduction to the scenario.
Sometimes the video may take a minute or so to load but if it seems to be taking an overly long time or appears to be stuck try stopping the video and pressing play again, or refresh the page (using the refresh button in your browser) and try playing the video again.
I can't hear the video, what should I do?
Make sure you have the volume on your computer's speakers turned up and that the 'mute' option isn't selected. If your speakers are set up properly and you're still having problems then try stopping the video and pressing play again, or refresh the page (using the refresh button in your browser) and try playing the video again.
I've reached an outcome at the end of the scenario – what do I do now?
The scenario gives you the freedom to explore lots of different options, so once you've got to one outcome, you can go back and try another. Try going back two or three steps, or go back to the beginning and start again – either way, you'll get to explore other options, and get a lot more out of the scenario.
If I follow links that take me out of the scenario how do I get back?
In the scenario, you are sometimes given the option of accessing a more detailed document for additional information. This will take you to a vm3 guide, for example 'How to do a risk assessment'. Once you have looked at the document or printed it out, you can go back into the scenario by selecting the 'back to scenario' option on the page or the back button on your browser. You can also access the vm3 guides from the resources list, if you prefer.
If you choose to go the resources section from the scenario, you can go back to the scenario by selecting the back button on your browser. If you go into resources and then onto other weblinks from there, you will have to select the back button a few times in order to get back to the scenario.
I was sure that I had the right answer, but when I got to the outcome I was told to go and try some other options. Why?
There are no right answers, although some approaches may be better than others. When you get an outcome, it's a good idea to go and try some other options, to see the impact of your different decisions – that way you'll get the most out of the scenario.
I clicked on one option, but then changed my mind. How do I get back to where I was?
Use the 'back a step' option at the bottom right of the page to return to the previous page. Or you can use your browser's 'back' option. Remember that you can try different options by going back a few steps or selecting 'begin again' at the bottom right of the page, which will take you back to the beginning of the scenario.
I can't remember what the original scenario was – what do I do?
Use the 'begin again' key at the bottom right of the page to go back to the beginning of the scenario.
The motivation, diversity and risk sections include a short quiz of five questions. These are a fun way to test your knowledge and include information not found elsewhere in the section.
Before the motivation and risk quizzes you're invited to think about your own attitude to the subject, and four options are presented. This is not part of the quiz, just something to get you thinking.
What happens when I select an answer?
You select your answer to each question by selecting the box next to the option that you want. The answer and explanation appears when you select the box. Some of the other answers include more information, so explore the other options once you have made your first selection to see if you can learn anything more.
How do I know my score in the quiz?
There is only one correct answer for each question. You must keep a note of your correct answers as you go through the five questions. Only you will know how many you got right first time, so be honest!
I'm having problems using the quiz, what should I do?
There is a link to the quiz transcript in the quiz introduction. The transcript has minimal formatting, lists all the questions and answers in the quiz, and you can also print it out.
What do I do with the activities?
The activities allow you to explore the issues raised in voluntary matters 3 in group or training sessions. Select the option to print the activities page and then in a group or training setting follow through some of the discussions or exercises. You don't have to follow them all in one session, and you should choose the ones that are of most interest to you. Give us some feedback in the discussion about how you got on.
The discussion is for you to share your experiences, and opinions on the subjects in general and to make any comments on the material included in the subject areas. Use it as an opportunity to communicate with other site users – someone might have some useful advice for you, or you could help someone else.
To participate in the discussion you need to enter some basic information into the user profile. The minimum is your first and last name and your email address, a login name and password which you make up yourself (and must be eight characters or more).
You can also enter information about your location and your organisation's website to give other users the chance to find out more about your organisation. You can choose to store your login name and password on your computer, so you don't have to enter it each time you access the discussion.
The purpose of user profile is to ensure the security and proper use of the site. It means that the source of messages can be identified. It also allows you to post messages without having to enter information about yourself each time.
The creation of a user profile is common practice for many discussion forums. However, you can view discussions as a guest without creating a user profile, but you won't be able to join in.
What if I need more help about using the discussion?
The discussion section has its own help section with very comprehensive information about its use. You access this option from the green menu bar, near the top of the page.
How do I get back to the rest of the website from the discussion?
On the top menu bar, there are options to return to the voluntary matters 3 home page and each of the subject areas.
This lists interesting web links and publications. You may want to refer to these when you need more in-depth information, particularly about organisational procedures and legal issues. If you follow the links and want to get back to the vm3 site you'll need to use the back button on your browser to get back.
We have also suggested some non-voluntary sector publications that cover the subject in interesting ways.
Some subjects have additional material in the form of short vm3 guides that you can link to from the scenario or can access through the resources page. You can print these off and use as reference material.
© The Media Trust, 2001