Managing and Motivating Volunteers

Volunteer Management Managing and Motivating Volunteers www.childreach.org.uk Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Overview Introduction Motivating Managing Monitoring The Bad Retention and Recognition Questions www.childreach.org.uk Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Who am I? University RAG and SU Involvement Volunteer experience Childreach International The good and bad experiences What you should expect in this session www.childreach.org.uk Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Task: Motivation Think of an event where you will be managing volunteers in this year Tell me the reasons you think people will sign up for this 2 minutes Own www.childreach.org.uk Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Status Public recognition Motivation New friends Fear (3rd years) Feeling of involvement FUN CV Passion for the cause Feel good factor Competition Praise and acknowledgment Personal gain www.childreach.org.uk Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Bad Motivation www.childreach.org.uk Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Demotivation Disengagement Frustration Expectations not met Overselling of the experience Cost of the event Lack of guidance www.childreach.org.uk Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Volunteer Management Why do volunteers sign up for events? What do volunteers need from you? Knowing what to expect and what is expected of them Who are your volunteers? Reasons behind them getting involved Why are they important to you? What has attracted them to volunteer for you? www.childreach.org.uk Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Your Volunteers Trust and Leadership Training Skill and personal development Make it clear what is expected of them Make it clear how they are benefitting themselves as well Address fears early www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Day to Day Managing Maintaining motivation is key Making them stay loyal Tailoring to individual needs Appreciate them (even when they are being difficult) Sense of belonging Keep in mind what is in it for them Appreciation and thanks www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Task: Managing What do you think are the key areas for good volunteer management? What tools are you going to use? 5 minutes Discuss www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Key Steps to Good Management Communication Value adding events Fun The cause Your leadership style Monitoring www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Good Communication Regular contact and communication Varying modes of communication – face-to-face, email, Facebook, phone etc Knowledgeable and ready with tips when needed Not full of false promises Transparent and honest with information given Prompt at responding to enquiries www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Task: Communication Going back to the first exercise Plan the communication you will give from sign up to the volunteering opportunity 2 minutes Own www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Good Value Adds Specialist Training Getting experts in Work Placement Programmes or internships Leadership skills Direct work with the cause Recognised qualifications www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Fun! Socials Group fundraisers Monthly Competitions An amazing event at the end Encourage learning in a fun environment (i.e. Question pool) Get to know supporters and staff www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Task: Fun Going back to the first exercise Plan the fun events you will give from sign up to the volunteering opportunity for them to have fun 2 minutes Own www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management The Cause Regular updates on the charities work In-person meetings with staff Varied modes of communicating the work Tangible info i.e. £5 = ... Make them feel part of the work www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Your Leadership Style Be energetic, enthusiastic and understanding Staff on board that care about and engage with students Train your RAG committee/Challenge Leaders Be knowledgeable Have a hierarchy Have your own style/play to your strengths www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Monitoring Face to Face Excel Social media Work plans Fundraising Plans Volunteer Diaries Online and Simple www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Task: Monitoring Going back to the first exercise Plan the ways in which you are planning to monitor your volunteers this year 2 minutes Own www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management What not to do What NOT to do! Try and lead in a way that you think you should be doing, everyone’s natural leadership style is different Think motivation is easy, it takes lots of invested time Forget to listen to your team without judgement, don’t approach a situation with a preconception Set unrealistic targets – if necessary it may be prudent to realign Make big decisions without the buy in of your team Make false promises to try and motivate if you can’t keep them www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Task 3: Your Experience What is your experience of volunteers? How many volunteers have you managed before? What have you found worked/doesn’t work? What have you found good about managers in the past? What have you found bad about managers in the past? What sort of volunteer manager do you want to be? 5 minutes Discuss www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Uh Oh, Your Bad Everybody makes mistakes Fess up Open and honest communication Clear discussion with volunteer New action points agreed Escalate if needed Drop outs do happen sadly www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management #Awkward Complaints about your volunteers Clear communication about the concern Motivation to change Agreed measurable change targets Ensure training is given if needed Recognise and praise change in behaviour www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Task 4: Your Reward How are you going to celebrate all the hard work of your volunteers? Come up with 3 ideas how you could do this 5 minutes Discuss www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management • Certificates • Awards • Parties • Seeing the charity work • Qualifications • Invite to specialist events • References and LinkedIn Recognition and Rewards www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Top Tips Enthusiasm Patience Understanding Motivation Define responsibilities Provide training Get the right people on the bus Reward hard work! www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Volunteer Management Any Questions? Jezebel.Horsell@childreach.org.uk @JezHorsell @ChildreachEvent @ChildreachInt 02031375500 www.childreach.org.uk July 2014 Jezebel Horsell

Managing and Motivating Volunteers