One of the most important assets to a support group is the volunteers. Volunteers help support groups achieve set goals such as support meetings, planned educational meetings, newsletter development and much more.

The tips listed below will assist you in properly delegating tasks to volunteers to ensure responsibilities do not fall on one member. These guidelines will also create a team spirit and help you accomplish much more than if you try to work alone.

• Pick people who can accept responsibility and who are willing to commit time to a project.

• Try to match a person to the task. Try to delegate assignments that will capitalize on the person's talents. 
• Remember that the person performing the task may not approach it as you would. Do not be tempted to take over the project. Weigh the time you might lose at first against the time you will save in the long run.  

• Build the person's confidence by assigning small tasks at first. Once a volunteer has learned how to manage their time, request their assistance in larger projects.

• Let volunteers put their own spin on the assignment. Their way may be better. Be sure to listen to their ideas.

• When communicating a task, use words that are easily understood so your volunteer understands exactly what is expected of them. *Example: Write out instructions. Your volunteer can recheck the message throughout the project and make sure he is right on target.

• Keep tabs on what you delegate. As the deadline nears, check to make sure everything is on target.

• Give a due date for the assignment and explain how this assignment relates to other priorities.

Source: Time Tactics of Very Successful People, by B. Eugene Greissman, McGraw-Hill Inc., 1221 Ave. of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.