❖ Heads up! This article is only intended for Center Site Managers.
By the end of this article, you will be able to:
Understand when and why to use User Groups
Create a User Group for restricted access
Control who can view and respond to private volunteer Needs
Customize shift enrollment for specific groups
What Are User Groups?
User Groups allow you to control access to specific volunteer Needs by grouping users based on shared criteria, such as certifications, affiliations, or special requirements.
User Groups are commonly used to:
Limit access to certain users
Work with a defined group (for example, students, clubs, or court-mandated volunteers)
Collect required information—like a license or certification—before granting access
Four steps to restricted Need access
Follow these steps to ensure only approved users can view and respond to certain volunteer Needs.
1. Create your User Group
Go to Volunteerism > User Groups and create a new group. Give it a clear title (e.g., Certified Lifeguards, Court-Mandated Volunteers) and, if needed, add a Private Description for Site Managers.
2. Add Join Questions
You can add join questions to vet users before joining. For example, ask them to upload a license or indicate affiliation.
3. Add users
You or a designated User Group leader can manually add users or invite them to join. Inviting is recommended—this ensures they complete the join questions first.
4. Add Private Needs
Finally, link private volunteer Needs with the User Group. Set each Need's privacy to Private so only group members can view and respond.
Private Needs have shareable URLs. If another Site Manager shares the link outside the group, those users can still access it.
Shift customization and volunteer enrollment
To manage how volunteers sign up, go to Additional Options when creating or editing a shift. From there, you can:
Enable team sign-ups
Adjust shift visibility and capacity
Fine-tune other enrollment settings
This helps tailor shift setup to match your Need and User Group needs.