An initial consideration is whether the volunteers are volunteering because they have to (to fulfill some sort of membership obligation or because a spouse drags them there, for example) or because they want to (they like
theatre or they like the type of work). That motivation will make a difference in the long run.
Assume nothing about skills until you’ve worked with them. If you are having them set up electrical/electronic equipment, you really need to show them exactly what needs to be done, and if at all possible, let them do it a couple times. (what jacks go in where, which cable, does a
jack get pushed/pulled, twisted, squeezed; are there prongs to lineup? What dial settings before plugging the thing in, or powering up? Where do things get put away) If something requires two people (heavy or awkward task), then tell them to perform the task with two people. Regardless how simple or logical a task may appear to you, it may be foreign to them; they don’t even know what they don’t know. If you have a few knowledgeable and/or competent people, let them supervise and/or provide other general training/
safety instruction. Don’t rely on “common sense”, there is no such thing. If you can, a diagram and written instructions kept in
binder will be very useful.
If there are tasks they are not to do or areas that they are not to go, let them know that. People are generally unaware of the potential hazards in a
theatre. And unless they’ve even worked in an industrial setting, they may not even be aware of any hazards.
In my own experience (and it’s been relying entirely on volunteers other than the
venue operators), very few adults have any familiarity with stages and technical
theatre. For the most part, the volunteers mean well but they may be outside their area of experiences. But, like everyone else, they learn by doing. Things will be bumpy at first.
Also, volunteers need to know who to go to when they don’t know what to do. If that’s you fine, let them know it. But, if your hands are full as it is, then you need to designate an assistant/foreman/whatever to handle the questions, and then funnel them back to you.
In the long run, you will get to know what each person is capable of. Give people all the responsibility that you think they can handle. There will be some who will be your “go to” volunteers, and there will be a few that will be absolutely unreliable.
And remember, these are volunteers – “Please” and “Thank you” go a long way.
Joe