Communicating With Volunteers in The American Legion Family

1. Oratorical Chairmen’s Conference2010 Instructor: Ralph Bozella, NEC Communicating With Volunteers in The American Legion Family

2. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ There are all kinds of things you can do and now is the time to get involved. Volunteer and help build a better community.”

3. 1. What is a Volunteer?

4. A volunteer is one who acts on • Choice, benefit of the community, without monetary reward, selfless, no personal gain, gives back to the community, gives with purpose, believes in what they do, donates time, energy, resources and talents, influences others to be involved. • Passion to see that goals are accomplished and needs are met to better an organization. • Help for the community and self actualization.

5. 2. Why do People Volunteer?

6. People volunteer because: • They are asked, sense of achievement, sense of commitment, recognition and feedback, personal growth, giving something back, opportunity to make a difference, family ties, friendship, support, bonding, belonging, leadership opportunities, self actualization, belief in the mission and values of an organization. • They learn: a lot about themselves, about doing things, about governing organizations, about issues, about community.

7. Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs

8. 3. How can we recruit and retain volunteers?

9. Recruit and retrain volunteers: • Invite them, Share knowledge about the organization TAL family programs and volunteer opportunities, leadership opportunities. • Websites, face book, twitter, email, flyers, newspaper releases, phone banks, etc. • They are needed. Teach, not preach. Friendly, welcome. • Appeal to their expertise & get involved. Set goals & expectations. • Assess talents, train & succeed. • Good communications system – listen with open mind • Treat with respect. • Don’t waste time, talents or money. • Provide organizational structure. • Be positive with honest and sincere praise, and recognition – self esteem. • Give public credit for their good ideas.

10. “Can Do” Attitude Let’s get the job done for the good of The American Legion!

11. The American Legion is: • The world’s largest veterans’ service organization. • Service is the operative word, as indicated in our motto, “Still serving America.” • We are also the world’s largest women’s veterans organization (52,000).

12. The American Legion Volunteer Service Opportunities • Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation • National Defense • Americanism • Children and Youth

13. Let’s get along and work together for the best interest of the organization. • It is important that we develop strong volunteer recruitment, retention and recognition programs. • We can develop trust through character, competence and courage. • We respect time talents and money

14. Application • List the programs and events at your post, unit or squadron. How you can use the lessons learned today in each of these areas? • How you can use what was learned today as you plan continuous or new programs and events at your post, unit or squadron?

15. Thanks for participating today. • You are leaders in our organization, at your post, and in the community. • A good American Legion post is a community center