volunteer recruitment: finding your volunteers

VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT

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Presenter: Sandra MillerConsultant/Trainer, Volunteer Centers of Michigansaltzmiller@gmail.com

Administrator: Chelsea MartinProgram Manager, Volunteer Centers of Michigan

Michigan Community Service Commission, Michigan Nonprofit Association, Volunteer Centers of Michigan, Michigan Campus Compact, and the LEAGUE Michigan with support from the Connect Michigan Alliance Endowment Fund and the Corporation for National and Community Service, are proud to support the ENGAGE Volunteer Management training series.

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Goals

• Identify the benefits of a systematic volunteer recruitment program.

• Identify best practices in volunteer recruitment.

• Provide ideas and tips that might be used by a variety of organizations.

What is Volunteer Recruitment?

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The process of matching an organization’s needs with a volunteer’s interests and skills

Volunteer Recruitment

Is defined by HandsOn Network as. . .

a marketing effort with three main goals: Promote a program that attracts people

who represent the full diversity of a community on an ongoing basis

Generate visibility and credibility for the program within the community

Find financial support

Benefits of StrategicVolunteer Recruitment

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Program Sustainability

Increased satisfaction & sense

of connection

Maximizes organizational

resources

TWO TYPES

BROAD-BASED

Actions which promote the organization’s mission and the role that volunteers generally play within the organization.

TARGETED

Strategies designed to match specific organizational needs with the skills and interests of a particular individual or group.

The volunteer position description serves as a foundation for the strategies to be used.

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BROADBASEDThe organization’s impact & reputation

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TARGETEDspecific and focused

Serves as a Foundation

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1. Develop a Volunteer Position

Description

2. Develop a Targeted

Recruitment Plan

3. Screen Volunteers

4. Interview and Match

Volunteers to Appropriate

Positions

THE VOLUNTEER POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Foundation of

Recruitment, Screening, Training, Supervision, Evaluation

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The most important criteria. . .

• Clarifies expectations for staff and prospective volunteers

• The first step in risk management (informed consent)

• Volunteers will “self screen” on the basis of interest and skills.

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Writing the Position Description

WEBSITE DEVELOPER.docx

• Title• Purpose/Objective• Benefits• Location• Key Responsibilities• Qualifications• Time Commitment• Training/support provided• Volunteer Supervisor• Contact Information/website

• Keep it simple– Avoid acronyms– Leave details for the

screening process

• Keep it short– 1 page

• Engage staff & current volunteers as consultants & editors

KISS APPLIES

MAKE AN EFFECTIVE MATCH

Targeted Recruitment Serves To

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Determine Your Target MarketTarget Market—

The type of individual or group (audience) that will best meet the needs of the position and organization.

• Skills• Interests• Experience• Availability

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POLL

What Type of Volunteer (Target Market) currently represents the majority of your organization’s volunteers?

• Youth/Students• Families• Young Adults/Professionals• Baby Boomers/Empty-Nesters• Senior Citizens/Retirees

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Targeted Recruitment

1. Target Your Market

2. Identify Benefits and

Features

3. Craft a Powerful Message

4. Design a Communication

Strategy

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Ask the following questions

• Who is your target audience?• What are important features of position?• What would appeal to them about the

position? • What are some possible barriers?• What additional things do we know about

the audience?• Where and how is the best way to

communicate with the target market?

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Benefits to the volunteer

Consider what the volunteer is looking for– Why do people volunteer?– What are their needs in terms of time,

duties, interaction, location, etc.• Seek to remove the roadblocks

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Create appealing opportunities. . .• Project focused• Time Limited• Skill-based • Flexible• Opportunities for leadership• Virtual• Appealing to different groups Families Youth Young professionals, Retirees,

Companies, etc.

Example--Time & Project SpecificSkill Based

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THE CALL TO ACTION

Create An Appealing Message

General interest, excitement, and the desire to get involved!

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Craft a powerful message

THREE PARTS

STATEMENT OF CLIENT

NEED

HOW THE VOLUNTEER

CAN HELP

THE BENEFITS

TO THE VOLUNTEER

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EXAMPLE

BENEFITS

Join ___ mentoring program where you’ll learn and practice new skills as you experience life through the eyes of a child. Your life experiences and knowledge can help shape a child’s future.

HOW TO HELPBe that positive influence. A few hours a week listening, coaching, caring and supporting can make a

difference for a lifetime. Go to www.___ or call 1-800-555-5555 to learn more.

STATEMENT OF CLIENT NEEDA child makes decisions every day that shape who they are and whom they will become. Adults in

their lives will influence these decisions.

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Good Messages. . .

Many elderly in our community live lonely stretches without a warm smile or embrace. Your family could volunteer to “adopt” one of these senior residents. The members of your family will experience some rare quality time together while giving someone a real lift. Call Mary at 555-111 for more information or visit www.ourwebsite.org

•Simple•Compelling•Consistent with branding•Contact Info.

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Volunteering Is Not A Job

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POLL

Which of the following represents a target market that is under presented in your volunteer pool?

• College Students• Young Adults/Professionals• Baby Boomers/Empty-Nesters• Senior Citizens• Corporate Employees

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Who’s the target market?

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Who’s the target market?

THE COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

How will you get the message to the target audience?

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Where do you find them?

• Young Professionals

• Baby Boomers

• Youth

• Workplace• Recreational Facilities

• Service Organizations• Church Affiliations

• School/Classes• Clubs/Sports Groups• Libraries (computers)

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What captures their attention?

• Social Media• Internet• Radio• Television• Newspapers• Organizational print materials.

– Church bulletins– Postcards

Communicating Your Message

• Distribute brochures or posters• Make public service announcements on television,

radio, or newspaper • Speak to community groups (e.g., faith-based,

neighborhood groups, community forums)• Collaborate—churches, businesses, other nonprofits• Post to online venues (e.g., Websites, Twitter,

YouTube, Facebook, blogs, etc.)• Set up a booth at a local events (e.g., farmers

markets, festivals, etc.) • Partner with service organizations or businesses.

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POLL

What have been the most effective communication strategies used by your organization?• Online• Social media• Radio• Print materials• Other

ONLINE RECRUITING

•Visible/Accessible•Combines recruitment with data collection and reporting

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Make it easy to volunteer

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Online Recruiting Resources

• www.serve.gov

• www.idealist.org

• www.youTube.com

• www.volunteermatch.org

• Widgets

www.1-800-volunteer.org

www.craigslist.org

www.facebook.com

www.handsonnetwork.org

Blogs

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On-line RecruitmentHandsOn Connect

THE DIRECT PERSONAL APPEAL“THE ASK”

The most effective recruitment method is still. . .

• Communicate the value and impact of volunteers

• Identify potential target markets

• Serve as advocates• Convey the message• Tell their success stories

Involve

Board

Administration

Staff

Current Volunteers

Community Partners

CAPITALIZE ON

National Days of Service• Day of Service &

Remembrance Sept. 11• Make A Difference Day• Family Volunteer Day• Martin Luther King, Jr.

Day• National & Global Youth

Service Days• National Volunteer Week

Community Events• Festivals

• Concerts

• Athletic Events

• Expos

• Orientations44

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Make the Connection

• Connect volunteers to the organization’s mission

• Put a personal face to the organization

• Offer opportunities for continued involvement as a part of the event’s orientation, reflection, and discussions.

• Share stories and benefits

Ep

iso

dic

V

olu

nte

ers

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The Most Effective Tool Remains. . .

• Your organization’s reputation• Mission• Impact

• Connection with your mission

• Word of mouth

THANK YOU

Please respond to the evaluation that you will receive by email.

Your input is valuable

December 13 —

Volunteer Screening—Application & Interview

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