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Recruiting, Nurturing & Retaining Volunteers

Recruiting, Nurturing & Retaining Volunteers. Don C. Bramlett, PE, SMIEEE IEEE Region 4 East Area Chair Southeastern Michigan Section. Who is Volunteering. 49% of American adults volunteered 1995 Over 50% of American between 25 and 54 years old

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Recruiting, Nurturing & Retaining Volunteers

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  1. Recruiting, Nurturing & Retaining Volunteers Don C. Bramlett, PE, SMIEEE IEEE Region 4 East Area Chair Southeastern Michigan Section

  2. Who is Volunteering • 49% of American adults volunteered 1995 • Over 50% of American between 25 and 54 years old • 45% of all American men and 52% of all American women • Increases with education attained, over 70% of college graduates volunteered an average of 4.8 hours a week • Increases with household income, 69% with income over $100,000

  3. Type of Organizations • People are most likely to volunteer • Charitable and community service projects • Want to “make a difference” • Want to help to solve a problem • Many trade and professional organizations find • Difficult to compete for their members volunteer time • Volunteer numbers diminishing

  4. Reference Resource “Volunteers: How to Get Them, How to Keep Them” By Helen Little Panacea Press, Inc. Naperville, IL 1999

  5. Needs of a Volunteer • A specific manageable task with a beginning and an end • A task that matches the interests and reasons for volunteering • A good reason for doing the task • Written instructions • A reasonable deadline for doing the task

  6. Needs of a Volunteer • Freedom to complete the task when and where it is most convenient for the volunteer • Everything necessary to complete the task without interruption • Adequate training • A safe, comfortable and friendly working environment

  7. Needs of a Volunteer • Follow-up to see that the task is completed • An opportunity to provide feedback when the task is finished • Appreciation, recognition and rewards that match the reasons for volunteering

  8. A Specific Manageable Task With a Beginning and an End Specific Roles - Written Job Descriptions, Instructions and/or Work Directions • Skills – Knowledge – Experience • Responsibilities - Duties • Time Commitment - Schedule • Making the Appeal • Ask for help personally • Personal contacts, Meeting attendees, etc

  9. A Task That Matches Interests and Reasons for Volunteering Volunteer motivations • Affiliation – Power - Recognition • Professional Growth - Networking • Determine volunteer interest • Polls – Surveys • Interview volunteers

  10. A Good Reason For Doing the Task • Work or task should be important to the functioning of the organization • Volunteer must feel he/she is making a meaningful contribution • Will lead to a greater level of commitment to the task

  11. Written Instructions • Job Description • Work Directions • Detailed Instructions • Letters of appreciation and thanks

  12. A Reasonable Deadline for Doing the Task • Establish a schedule, interim milestones and deadline for completion of a task • Mentor and follow-up with the volunteer on progress to completion of a task

  13. Freedom to Complete the Task When & Where It Is Most Convenient for the Volunteer • Avoid time-consuming and wasteful meetings • Make use of conference calls and communication technologies • Provide the volunteer flexibility • Monitor progress of the volunteer

  14. Needs Everything Necessary to Complete the Task Without Interruption • Plan the work and work the plan • Provide the materials and info • Increase the probability of success • Mentoring and support needed

  15. Adequate Training • Match training to the experience, needs and duties of the volunteer • Offer alternatives for training • Mentor and monitor volunteers • Annual Section & Chapter training

  16. A Safe, Comfortable and Friendly Working Environment • Meeting locations need to be safe, secure and convenient • Volunteers need to feel welcome and valuable members of the team • Mentor and monitor volunteers • Provide for special needs • Volunteers will have a more positive image of the organization

  17. Follow-up to See That the Task Is Completed • Volunteers are colleagues & partners, not subordinates or employees • Give opportunity to perform • Monitor and provide feedback • Be a coach and cheerleader • Mentor and counsel, as needed • Fire a volunteer, if necessary

  18. Opportunity to Provide Feedback When the Task Is Completed • Solicit feedback from volunteers • Volunteers value the opportunity • Lessons learned opportunity • Learn about problems encountered • Prevent potential problems in the future and loss of volunteers

  19. Appreciation, Recognition and Rewards That Match the Reasons for Volunteering • One of the easiest and least expensive needs of a volunteer • Thank each volunteer personally • Publicly recognize volunteers, as appropriate • Provide a position with more authority and responsibility

  20. Long Term Benefits • Meeting volunteer needs creates a win–win situation • Volunteers benefit when you understand and meet their needs • The organization benefits too • A more successful organization • More long-term productive volunteers & more active members

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