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Volunteer Management. How to Sustain productive volunteers. Retention is an outcome, not a task. Retention can only be defined in relation to the commitment How clear are you in clarifying and obtaining each volunteer’s initial commitment?
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Volunteer Management How to Sustain productive volunteers
Retention is an outcome, not a task • Retention can only be defined in relation to the commitment • How clear are you in clarifying and obtaining each volunteer’s initial commitment? -It is essential for the briefing to include the volunteers effect on the surrounding community and how long lasting it will be.
Be Realistic • No matter how good you are, you can’t keep everyone forever • There will always be factors outside your control – “life” happens • But do you have realistic expectations? • Today’s volunteer • In the context of society today
Starting on the Right Foot • Assess the volunteer role • How many options do you offer? • Are you sure you can’t be more flexible? • Being “open-ended” is scary! • Tell the truth during recruitment – don’t minimize the work or the time needed
Briefing of Community • If possible have a detailed bio of the homeowner ready to hand out to volunteers • If possible have available statistics about the community, its needs, and RT’s role in improving its way of life • If possible have available fact sheet of your affiliates achievements to show that the volunteer has chosen a worthy organization
Remember.. • By definition, volunteers do their work for you on a limited, part-time basis – you are not their priority • This is a recreational activity – if it isn’t fun at some level, volunteers won’t do it • It is hard to maintain enthusiasm alone in the field
Minimum Standards • Volunteer Waiver Form/ Media Release • House Captain Manual • Acknowledge volunteers in a timely manner • On site safety briefing: posters, have safety manual
Best Practices • Safety Coordinator for all projects • - work with key volunteer for each site • Capture contact info, up to date database • Tie in with individual donor campaign, already know program
Word from RT Denver • Mary Brook sharing her experiences
Word from RT Peninsula • Lily Abt sharing her experiences having worked on developing the volunteer management program for office and warehouse volunteers. • RT affiliate also has a lot of great practices for on-site volunteers
Word from NARI • Gwen Biasi, Director of Marketing and Communications for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry • Sharing on the Volunteer Experience for skilled trades volunteers
Q & A A time to ask panelists questions about their experiences with volunteer management.
Covert Messages • The way phone messages are taken (if they are) • The speed of response to e-mails • The timing of information • Whether Web site is updated • Thanking people for longevity rather than impact
Encourage Volunteers to help each other • Team leaders • Buddy systems • Local clusters • Online discussion groups • Conference calls
Volunteers will remain committed to RT if: • Acknowledge the sacrifice these particular folks make to volunteer with us • The work they are doing is visibly meaningful • They feel appreciated for their service • They enjoy it.
While Volunteers are on site • Take and use photographs all the time • Develop a “Volunteer Victory” alert • Keep a testimonial and comment log • Ongoing, daily appreciation – and smiling – really have an effect
Recognition Ideas • Thanks for “Raisin” all those funds • Thank you posters by children or family members of homeowner • Volunteer Caring Kit • Send a note to the volunteer’s employer • Photo gift: “Thanks for being part of our past, present and future!” • Plant a tree in the name of the company or association at the home
Event • If possible have a signature event where possible donors and volunteers from the year can come together • Shows that affiliate cares about monetary support as well as manual support
Stay Connected • Keep past volunteers updated • We rely on returning volunteers • Give them a good experience the first time and they will keep coming back for more!
Skilled Market Value 1. Total Number of Unskilled Volunteers- 2. Total Number of Skilled Volunteers- 3. Total Number of Unskilled Volunteer Hours- _ x $19.51 per hour 4. Total Number of Skilled Volunteers Hours- _ x $60.00 per hour (Or going rate in your area) 5. Total Market Value for Volunteer Labor- _ (add rows 3 and 4) • http://www.independentsector.org/media/20080410_volunteer_time.html