Volunteer Recruitment & Management

Amanda HansonThomas Rickenbaker

VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT

Reasons People Volunteer

• To serve/altruism• To give back to the community• To fulfill an obligation such as a school

requirement• To address a need• To make a difference• To fill a void

Venues for Recruiting Volunteers

• Posters/flyers• Articles in newspapers (esp. school

newspaper)• Presentations to classes—especially service-

learning classes• Mass emails• Presenting event to clubs and/or student

organizations

What Must Exist Before You Recruit

• A clearly defined goal that is understandable to others

• Understandable plans of action and objectives• Understandable volunteer position descriptions• Trained and equipped volunteer supervisors• Reporting methods that are logical and easy to follow• Assessment criteria and methods that can positively

redirect inadequate work• Recognition process to reward good work

Things to Keep in Mind When Recruiting Volunteers

• For every 10 calls or emails you send, you might get one response—be persistent, any response is good for the program

• Don’t get discouraged if prospective volunteers don’t actually volunteer—at least you are spreading the message of the program

• Keep track of recruiting methods used, and what was successful and what needs to change for the next project/event

Recruitment Methods

• Phone Calls/Emails—have a standard script, keep it short, and offer clear ways for people to get involved

• Posting Flyers—good way to get word out to large numbers of people (be sure to get permission first)

• Class Visits—identify classes that are aligned with the service mission & ask professors for permission to present; give overview of program, hand out flyers, info sheets, and sign up sheets (about 10-15 min)

• Online Recruitment—easy way to spread the message; Craigslist, Facebook, local radio, and TV stations

Volunteer Sources• Colleges/Universities:

– Service-Learning Students—some schools and classes require students to complete service-learning hours. These volunteers need a consistent number of hrs, but they may stop coming after the hrs are complete

– Related Majors—departments might be willing to inform students about service opportunities pertaining to their major.

– Clubs and Orgs—most universities require student orgs and clubs to complete community service hrs. They can pass information on service events to their members for you.

– Greek Groups—Fraternities and Sororities are required to complete service hrs; they can be a valuable asset for volunteer recruitment

– Athletic Teams—just like Greek groups and clubs, athletic teams are typically required to complete community service over the course of the year/season

– Other Options—honors programs, residence halls, and some internships can be valuable recruitment sectors.

Additional Vol. Sources

• Your University’s Alumni Association• Businesses• Volunteer Organizations• Community Members• Churches/Religious Organizations

Things to Consider While Recruiting

• Time & Days of Commitment—consider when classes are and the basic student schedule; plan around classes when you can

• Recruiting is an ongoing process—times when you are putting all your energy into it, but some recruitment efforts should be year-round

• Marketing—make sure communication is clear and the message is positive

• Be persistent—recruiting is hard, and not all interested individuals will volunteer. That’s OK.

• Community Resources/Dynamics—make people in the community aware of your program/event. Be cognizant of community dynamics and how your program fits into those dynamics. The way you promote the program is how it will be perceived by the community

HOW TO MAKE VOLUNTEERING A WORTHWHILE EXPERIENCE

Remember . . .

• Never underestimate the power of a topic • Safety, security, and supplies• Idle volunteers are one-time volunteers

Remember . . .

• Set high expectations for your students• Make them feel important while they serve

Remember . . . • Recognize it as a learning and growth opportunity• Be an advocate for your students if necessary –

their time is important

Remember . . . • Encourage students to reflect on their experience

during and after service• Student volunteers are powerful, energetic, and

determined – agencies never anticipate their strength

WHAT’S NEXT?

Now What?• Send “thank you” notes – to everyone

involved. • Listen for feedback from all sides. • Recruit more effectively from repeat

volunteers

Evaluating Strategies

• Why is it important to evaluate all the recruitment strategies for programs and events?

• Did the program/event receive the number of volunteers you needed?

Evaluating Strategies

• What were the original goals of the program/event? Did the volunteers and the program meet these goals?

• What recruiting methods were utilized by the program? What worked? What should change for next time?

• What were positive outcomes of recruitment? What would have made the program/event better?

Wrap-Up

• Keep in mind what you learned from each event to continue to improve recruitment strategies

• Keep detailed notes of what works and what doesn’t

• Use enhanced knowledge of recruitment strategies to make the next project better than the last

END

Works cited: http://encorps.nationalserviceresources.org/volunteer_management.php