Important Update to the Partner Portal. ACTION REQUIRED!

HandsOn Connect is updating this month to improve functionality. As a part of the HandsOn training for this, we realized that there is confusion about what type of volunteer opportunity to post. As we promised in HandsOn Connect training, we will continue to teach you more as we learn more. We have updated our training manual to increase the clarity and hopefully improve your posting experience. The updated training materials are live right now in HandsOn Connect, in the Documents tab. For many of you, this means you need to login to your account and make a few changes to your active opportunities. We understand this is a hassle. We really appreciate your willingness to work with us in this new system. We also promise this extra effort will be worth it in the long run! This resource to the community becomes more popular with volunteers everyday.

The main issue we have encountered is the difference between occurrences and recurrences. Please see the edited definitions below for clarification.

Date & Time Specific – This schedule type identifies any volunteer opportunity that shows up on our Project Calendar, with a specific date and time during which they occur. Date & Time Specific projects can be listed as either “Sign Up” projects or “Express Interest” projects. Note: this term replaces the term done-in-a-day and one-time.

Occurrence – An occurrence lists the time and date for which a volunteer opportunity is scheduled. An occurrence is required with every Date & Time specific volunteer opportunity.

To-Be-Scheduled – This schedule type is exclusive to ongoing or skills-based volunteer needs that might require a commitment beyond a single shift. These types of volunteer opportunities can be found using the search function. Important clarification: the term is referring to the need to schedule the volunteer’s shift. As an organization, you will already know the times and days that shifts are available, as indicated in your Recurrence postings. Note: this term replaces the term ongoing.

Recurrence – A recurrence is an occurrence that is time and date specific, but repeats on multiple time and dates, all associated with the same volunteer opportunity. This is how you list the shifts available for volunteers to express interest in.


Now based on these new definitions, please log into your account and ensure that your opportunities match these requirements. Those of you who post recurring, or ongoing, opportunities will need to create at least one recurrence. Once you have created that, mark the existing occurrence as "Inactive."

We understand this is an inconvenience but this is very important. This will clean up the data on your profile and make it easier for volunteers to search for your opportunities.

If you are struggling with this and would like extra assistance please call or email Melissa.

You can also sign up for a one on one session with a HandsOn Staff Member at our HandsOn Connect Open House on January 17th, 18th and 19th. We will be available to assist you with the update detailed above as well as anything else you would like assistance with. Click here to reserve your spot with one of us.