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Volunteer Recruitment Strategies. Laurie Menzel AWAG 2013. Is there a magic formula for finding the “ right ” volunteer?. Recruitment Homework. Who is volunteering? Why are they volunteering? Why aren ’ t they volunteering? Who and What are you looking for? How do you find them?
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Volunteer Recruitment Strategies Laurie Menzel AWAG 2013
Recruitment Homework • Who is volunteering? • Why are they volunteering? • Why aren’t they volunteering? • Who and What are you looking for? • How do you find them? • How do you “sell” volunteering? • How do you keep them?
Who is volunteering? • In 2012, 64.5 million volunteers dedicated 8 billion hours of service to community organizations • This equates to 26.5 % of the adult population volunteering- a slight decline U.S. Bureau of Labor, February 2013
Age of VolunteersBureau Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor Report, 2012* www.VolunteeringinAmerica.org
Why are people volunteering? • Help others/make a difference • Community involvement • Provide personal skills • Develop new skills • Give back • Meet people/ make friends • Community service requirement
What are your volunteers worth? • Independent Sector (2012) estimates volunteer time at $22.14 per hour • Volunteers on Military Installations save millions of dollars for each Command • Calculate your worth • Worth of your volunteers • What is the worth of your organizations volunteers at your location
Why aren’t people volunteering? • Lack of time • Lack of interest • Burnt out or “compassion fatigue” • Competition between organizations • Organizational image • Travel • Conflicting volunteer times • “Been there done that attitude” • Working Full Time • Childcare issues
Environmental Scanning • Take time to look around your community • Talk with veteran volunteers • Discuss with Board members • Chat with service members • Understand the demographics • Talk with Local Volunteer Coordinator
Finding Volunteers • Should you promote within? • Should you move someone laterally? • Are you filling with a “warm body” • Are you recruiting to grow/sustain? • Membership forms- create a volunteer list • Local Volunteer Coordinator
How do we find volunteers? ASK! 42% of people say they decide to volunteer because they are personally asked!
Something to Remember • Volunteers can give a personal touch to their positions, but positions are written apart from a particular volunteer and not the other way around. Organizations which are stable and solid do not depend on particular volunteers to remain that way. Volunteers are needed to fulfill and execute a full complement of services, but with turnover the organization should not change, just the person doing the job. Quarter, Mook & Richmond.(2003) Social Accounting for Nonprofits and Cooperatives
Volunteer Retention • You found the right volunteer, how do you keep them?
Retention • Retention averages are only 64.5% WHY? • A sense that their service is not valued • A sense that they do not matter • A lack of community • Poor leadership and management • Poor communication/direction • Lack of appreciation • Lack of development of them as a person
How do you retain volunteers? • Train them- Conduct an Orientation • Job descriptions • Communicate regularly • Watch out for burn out • Regular “Thank You” • Promote ongoing development
Volunteer Orientation • Description of agency purpose and mission. • Description of programs and services to clientele. • Explanation of commonly used jargon and acronyms. • Sketch of organizational chart and introduction of key staff. • Timelines and description of major organizational events and activities. • Orientation to the facilities and equipment. • Explanation of what a volunteer should do if they run into any problems. McCurley & Vineyard. (2003). Measuring Up
Recruitment Strategies • Know your environment • Understand why people are/are not volunteering • Utilize diverse media/contacts to locate volunteers • Attract/match volunteers through shared skills/needs • Nurture/educate volunteers to retain
Helpful Nonprofit Websites • www.boardsource.org • www.volunteermatch.org • www.philanthropy.com • www.managementhelp.org • www.e-volunteerism.com • www.guidestar.org • www.nptimes.com • www.energizeinc.com • www.independentsector.org • www.urban.org • www.leadertoleader.org • www.volunteeringinamerica.org • www.myarmyonesource.com