Download - Targeted Volunteer Recruitment
TARGETED VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT
CURRENT TRENDS AFFECTING RECRUITMENT
TIME POVERTY
“I don’t have the time”– perception that all volunteer work requires a long time commitment
Multi-year trend – volunteers offering fewer hours per month
CURRENT TRENDS AFFECTING RECRUITMENT
TIME POVERTY
• find ways to change what we ask people to do
• design smaller, simpler, more flexible options
• consider shared responsibility
• clearly identify and promote the personal benefits of volunteering
CURRENT TRENDS AFFECTING RECRUITMENT
RESPONSIVENESS
People expect answers, information, and resources to be available NOW!
Volunteers want immediate access to information, resources and people.
CURRENT TRENDS AFFECTING RECRUITMENT
RESPONSIVENESS
• website applications generate an expectation that someone will respond to an inquiry immediately.
• if made to wait, they may move on.
CURRENT TRENDS AFFECTING RECRUITMENT
TECHNOLOGY
It has introduced us to whole new ways of working
It has changed the way we do business – setting up expectations for how non profits do business.
CURRENT TRENDS AFFECTING RECRUITMENT
TECHNOLOGY
• Potential volunteers looking for evidence of technology based programs and processes…
teleconferencing video conferencing web based training virtual meetings virtual volunteering
CURRENT TRENDS AFFECTING RECRUITMENT
CHANGING EXPECTATIONS
Younger volunteers vs. mature volunteers.
Differing expectations leading to differing recruitment strategies.
CURRENT TRENDS AFFECTING RECRUITMENT
CHANGING EXPECTATIONS
• Younger generation: They want different things from volunteer servicemore entrepreneurial - less likely to be attracted to large, bureaucratic structures want freedom to try new things in new ways They are technologically literate and prefer to use technology.
CURRENT TRENDS AFFECTING RECRUITMENT
CHANGING EXPECTATIONS
• Older generation:comfortable making commitments & assuming leadership roles often like things the way they are - reluctant to implement change prefers conformity, uniformity and ordernot always comfortable with technology and often see it as highly impersonal.
CURRENT TRENDS AFFECTING RECRUITMENT
CHANGING EXPECTATIONS
The challenge: bring these diverse generations together into a single organization through multiple options and opportunities
• Volunteer recruitment involves a significant investment in time and resources to yield good results.
• Being targeted in your approach helps you to more easily attract the volunteers who are the best fit for your program’s needs.
A TARGETED APPROACH TO RECRUITMENT
REVIEW VOLUNTEER POSITION DESCRIPTION
Potential volunteers want to know what is expected of them – particularly youth.
• Special skills required• Minimum age requirement• Length of time you are asking volunteers to offer• Transportation requirements• Physical requirements (heavy lifting, driving, light office work)
A TARGETED APPROACH TO RECRUITMENT
DEVELOP A ‘PROFILE’ OF THE IDEAL VOLUNTEER
• create a ‘profile’ of ideal candidate based on position description information.• eg. - afterschool program seeking volunteers to assist with fitness activities 3 days/week:
“Adult male or female, ages 21-55, previous teaching/coaching experience with youth, physically active, available during the week in afternoons for 2 hours at least 3 days per week”
A TARGETED APPROACH TO RECRUITMENT
BRAINSTORM! WHERE ARE THESE PEOPLE?
Where does your ideal candidate spend their time? where do they work? where do they study? where do they shop? where do they spend their free time? what special events might they attend?
Write this list down to help you create your message and determine what channels to use.
A TARGETED APPROACH TO RECRUITMENT
CREATE YOUR MESSAGE
Your opportunity to ‘sell’ your program to potential volunteers. consider a different message for each targeted cohort i.e. youth, retirees, students, the employed.must be brief and to the point. grab the attention of the person you are speaking to.
A TARGETED APPROACH TO RECRUITMENT
KEY QUESTIONS FOR MESSAGING• Why should a potential volunteer choose to donate their time and services to your organization?• What could be the appeal of this opportunity to this particular person?• How will it benefit the volunteer, as well as the organization and the community?
IMAPCT STATEMENT – what would not happen if the volunteer didn’t do what you are asking them to do?
A TARGETED APPROACH TO RECRUITMENT