Events and Schedules allow you to create and share volunteer opportunities, each tailored to different purposes. While there's no one "right" way to use them, understanding how each works will help you make the most of activating your volunteers. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best option for your needs.
Schedules
Schedules in Timecounts are the go-to option for managing ongoing, recurring volunteer positions where volunteers sign up for shifts, and you can build a continuous calendar over time.
Key benefits of Schedules:
Quick signups: Schedules provide a straightforward way for volunteers to book their spots without any extra steps. They appear as a top-level category on the Find Opportunities page of your hub, making them easy to find.
Flexible shift setup: Schedules let you copy shift patterns, making them ideal for recurring positions. This huge timesaver for organizers lets you quickly set up regular shifts and helps volunteers choose times that work for them.
Require pre-qualifications for positions: With Schedules, you can set up specific positions where only qualified or approved volunteers can sign up. This flexible feature is useful for specific positions that need extra screening and gives you more control over who fills those shifts.
Best suited for:
Schedules are great for ongoing roles with regular shifts. Think of it as your organization's master calendar. It offers a simple signup page, optional volunteer screening, and a single calendar to manage and filter available shifts.
Events.
Timecounts Events offers various formats to fit a range of purposes. Whether planning a one-time event, a recurring opportunity, or one with multiple shifts, our events can help you manage it all.
Key benefits of Events:
Event landing pages: Create a custom page for each event to share details like its purpose, expectations, and available volunteer roles. This helps with marketing and provides new volunteers with a clear understanding of the opportunity.
Forms: Attach customized forms to collect necessary information from volunteers, like t-shirt sizes, emergency contacts, or event-specific details that may have been missed during the initial onboarding. These forms streamline the screening process and ensure you have all the details before the event.
Customizable settings: Every event is unique, and with events, you can tailor each one individually—from confirmation emails to signup options and visibility. Unlike Schedules, which are more set-and-forget, Events give you the flexibility to customize for every occasion.
Best suited for:
Events are ideal for promoting volunteer opportunities within a specific timeframe. Whether it’s a one-day activity or a short-term event, you can share details, set clear expectations, and attract volunteers—all with a focus on a particular date or time window. Events also combine signup forms and shift selection in one smooth flow.
So, which should you use?
Both formats work well together, offering flexibility to manage everything from one-time events to ongoing roles. Mix and match as needed—use Events to promote campaigns, special activities, orientations, and Schedules for regular shifts or more specific scheduling needs like a large festival. The best part? You can combine them in any way that suits your organization, tailoring the volunteer experience to meet your unique needs.