FFC Volunteer Proving Ground: Core Competencies
This is the mandatory first step for all prospective volunteers. Mastering these foundational tools is essential for security and effective collaboration at Free For Charity.
Welcome to the Proving Ground: Our Commitment to Excellence
First and foremost, thank you. We are incredibly grateful that you are considering dedicating your valuable time and skills to the mission of Free For Charity. Our organization is powered by the generosity of volunteers like you, and every contribution makes a tangible difference.
You will notice that our training process is rigorous and presents significant hurdles. This is by design. Because we are entrusted with the sensitive data and digital infrastructure of the non-profits we serve, we have a profound responsibility to ensure the highest standards of security, professionalism, and competence. This upfront investment in training is our first line of defense; it ensures that only the most dedicated and capable individuals are granted access to our internal systems.
Successfully completing this proving ground demonstrates your commitment to our values and prepares you for real-world impact. For those who excel, there will be opportunities to gain access to our supported charities' systems—a privilege reserved for the best of the best. We believe in empowering our volunteers with real responsibility, and that begins with a shared commitment to excellence.
A Note on Time Estimates: Focus on Mastery, Not Speed
The time estimates provided for each module are not deadlines; they are guides for deep and meaningful learning. The goal of this training is not to finish as quickly as possible, but to achieve a genuine understanding of the concepts and tools.
We strongly encourage you to use the full time allotted for each section. This is your opportunity to explore the provided resources, experiment with the tools, and use your AI assistants to clarify any terms or concepts you are unfamiliar with. Rushing through the material will only create knowledge gaps that will hinder your effectiveness later on. View this as a dedicated investment in your skills—the more thoroughly you learn now, the more impactful your contribution to our mission will be.
Training Plan Summary
This Core Competencies training is comprised of 7 modules. The total estimated time for completion is between 33 and 46 hours. Please use the links below to navigate to each section.
- Module 1: LastPass - Our Security Standard (1 - 2 Hours)
- Module 2: Introduction to AI Assistants (2 - 4 Hours)
- Module 3: MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (12 - 16 Hours)
- Module 4: MS-700 Teams Administration Fundamentals (8 - 12 Hours)
- Module 5: Microsoft OneDrive - Our Shared File System (2 Hours)
- Module 6: Microsoft Planner - Task Management in Teams (2 Hours)
- Module 7: Microsoft 365 Apps Quick Start (6 - 8 Hours)
Module 1: LastPass - Our Security Standard
Objective: To understand the importance of password security and how to use LastPass to manage credentials securely.
Estimated Time to Complete: 1 - 2 Hours
Why This Is First: We handle sensitive information for our non-profit clients. Protecting that data is our highest priority. LastPass is the first and most critical training module because it is the secure foundation upon which all other system access is built. All passwords for the other training modules and FFC services will be stored in and managed by LastPass.
Recommended Training Resources
- LastPass 101: How to Use LastPass (Official Video) - The best starting point for understanding your vault.
- LastPass User Training & Resources (Official) - A comprehensive page with guides and videos for all features.
LastPass Authenticator for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
For enhanced security, we use MFA. The LastPass Authenticator app is a required tool for verifying your identity when logging into secure systems.
- What is the LastPass Authenticator App? (Official Guide)
- Mobile Apps: Google Play Store | Apple App Store
Your Proficiency Task
After completing the training, be prepared to explain why sharing passwords via email or text is a security risk.
Module 2: Introduction to AI Assistants
Objective: To understand the basic capabilities of generative AI tools and learn how to write effective prompts to boost productivity.
Estimated Time to Complete: 2 - 4 Hours
Why This Is Second: AI assistants are powerful learning accelerators. Mastering them early will drastically speed up your learning process for all subsequent modules. When you encounter a new term, product, or tool in this training, your first step should be to ask an AI assistant to explain it to you. This practice of self-directed learning is a critical skill for all FFC volunteers.
Recommended Training Resources
- Get Started with Microsoft Copilot (Official Tutorial)
- About Gemini (Official Google Page)
- Mobile Apps (Google Play Store): Microsoft Copilot | Google Gemini
Your Proficiency Task
After completing the training, be prepared to list the four key elements of an effective prompt for an AI assistant.
Module 3: MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals
Objective: To gain a foundational knowledge of Microsoft 365 cloud services, including its apps, security, compliance, and pricing models.
Estimated Time to Complete: 12 - 16 Hours
Why This Matters: Free For Charity's entire operational infrastructure is built on the Microsoft 365 platform. A fundamental understanding of this ecosystem is critical for every volunteer to work efficiently, securely, and understand the capabilities of the tools we use every day.
Recommended Training Resources
- Microsoft Learn Self-Paced Course (Official) - This is the primary, self-paced learning path provided directly by Microsoft.
- Official MS-900 Study Guide - A detailed guide from Microsoft that outlines all exam objectives.
A Note on Certification:
Only completing the learning paths above is required to start volunteering. However, funding for the official Microsoft certification exam may be provided on a case-by-case basis, depending on available funds and volunteer commitment.
Your Proficiency Task
After completing the training, be prepared to explain the primary difference between Microsoft 365 and Office 365.
Module 4: MS-700 Teams Administration Fundamentals
Objective: To gain a foundational understanding of Microsoft Teams administration, including the management of teams, channels, meetings, and collaboration features, aligned with the MS-700 certification path.
Estimated Time to Complete: 8 - 12 Hours
Why This Matters: As our central collaboration hub, Teams requires proper governance to be effective and secure. Volunteers with a deeper understanding of its structure can help manage channels, configure meeting policies, and troubleshoot issues, making our entire operation more efficient.
Recommended Training Resources
- Microsoft Teams Quick Start Video Training (Official) - A quick, official overview of the essential features.
- MS-700 Get started with managing Microsoft Teams - Training | Microsoft Learn - The official entry-level learning path from Microsoft for Teams administration.
- Official MS-700 Study Guide - A detailed guide from Microsoft that outlines all exam objectives and is essential for understanding the core concepts.
A Note on Certification:
Only completing the learning paths above is required to start volunteering. However, funding for the official Microsoft certification exam may be provided on a case-by-case basis, depending on available funds and volunteer commitment.
Your Proficiency Task
After completing the training, be prepared to explain the difference between a standard, a private, and a shared channel in Teams, and provide a use case for each.
Module 5: Microsoft OneDrive - Our Shared File System
Objective: To learn how to access, organize, and securely share documents within the FFC ecosystem.
Estimated Time to Complete: 2 Hours
Why This Matters: OneDrive is our single source of truth for all official documents, from SOPs to client-facing materials. Using OneDrive correctly prevents version control issues and ensures everyone is working from the most current information.
Recommended Training Resources
- OneDrive Video Basics (Official) - A short, visual introduction to the platform.
- OneDrive Quickstart Guide (PDF) - A detailed guide you can save and reference later.
- OneDrive Help & Learning Center (Official) - The main portal for all OneDrive documentation and tutorials.
Your Proficiency Task
After completing the training, be prepared to describe the steps to share a file and grant "View Only" permissions.
Module 6: Microsoft Planner - Task Management in Teams
Objective: To learn how to create, manage, and track tasks for individual and team projects using Microsoft Planner, both as a standalone app and within Microsoft Teams.
Estimated Time to Complete: 2 Hours
Why This Matters: Planner is our organization's standard tool for task management. It provides clear visibility into project progress, clarifies responsibilities, and integrates directly into Teams, keeping all work-related communication and tasks in one place.
Recommended Training Resources
- Microsoft Planner Video Training (Official) - The best starting point from Microsoft for understanding Planner's features.
- Use Planner in Microsoft Teams (Official Guide) - A specific guide on how to add and use Planner as a tab in your Teams channels.
Your Proficiency Task
After completing the training, be prepared to explain the difference between a "Bucket" and a "Task" in Planner and how they are used for organization.
Module 7: Microsoft 365 Apps Quick Start
Objective: To learn the basic functions of the core Microsoft 365 web apps for document creation (Word), data analysis (Excel), and presentations (PowerPoint).
Estimated Time to Complete: 6 - 8 Hours
Why This Matters: These applications are the universal standard for creating and sharing professional documents. A baseline proficiency is essential for nearly every volunteer role, from writing reports to creating client-facing presentations.
Recommended Training Resources
- Microsoft 365 Quick Starts (Official Hub) - This single page provides access to the Quick Start guides for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more.
Your Proficiency Task
After completing the training, be prepared to explain how you would share a document from any of the Microsoft 365 web apps.