Harnessing the Power of Volunteers: What Makes a Good Volunteer?

1. Harnessing the Power of Volunteers “The happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more” stjosephunitedway.org

2. What Makes a Good Volunteer? • If you don’t ask they won’t come • Be prepared - know what to ask to make the most of the volunteer experience • Look at volunteer’s talents, skills and background • Characteristics of a good volunteer stjosephunitedway.org

3. Matchmaking - Finding a Good Fit • Things you need to know • What are their passions? (understand a little about them) • What do they see themselves doing as a volunteer? • Why did they come to you? • Remember • Their skills and interests need to match the needs of the volunteer opportunity • The skills they use at their daily jobs may not be what they want to do as a volunteer • Offer a chance to try new things • Set clear expectations stjosephunitedway.org

4. Growing Volunteers • Expectations and Evaluation • Make sure they know and understand your organization’s mission • Start with a smaller job/committee and build on responsibilities • Like an employee, get and give feedback • Volunteers Recruiting Volunteers • Social media • Circle of friends and co-workers • Practice elevator speeches • Talk about volunteer experiences in social settings • Peer influence stjosephunitedway.org

5. Volunteers as Board Members • Not every volunteer makes a good board member • It’s important that volunteer board members: • Understand your organization’s mission • Are Involved in shaping your strategic plan • Make sure board members are transparent and comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions • Identify board members that offer expertise in a variety of areas • Position them to be the experts • The best volunteer board members will be engaged beyond regular board meetings stjosephunitedway.org

6. The Value of Relationships • Why Use Volunteers to Fundraise? • Volunteers can magnify your reach • Peer influence • Who better to ask someone to give than someone they know and trust? • How Do you Make Volunteers Effective at Fundraising? • Not every volunteer is a fit for “making the ask” • Set clear expectations • Role play/practice • Give volunteers tools to be successful stjosephunitedway.org

7. Good Volunteers Gone Bad • Like any relationship, sometimes it just doesn’t work out • They want to serve in a capacity that doesn’t fit your organization’s needs • Their skill set doesn’t match your organization’s needs • Availability • What can you do? • Coaching • Help them find another organization that is a better fit • Focusing on volunteer’s strengths and asking them to consider serving in a different capacity stjosephunitedway.org

8. Show Them the LOVE! • Show Appreciation and Gratitude • Volunteers can be your greatest advocates and assets • Make volunteers feel needed and appreciated • Thank! Thank! Thank! • Examples • Handwritten thank you notes • Phone call • Social media • Reception stjosephunitedway.org

9. THANK YOU! • “Volunteers are not paid – not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.” stjosephunitedway.org