2volunteer recruitment

Training Busy Staff Training Busy Staff to Succeed with Volunteers:to Succeed with Volunteers:

The 55-Minute Training SeriesThe 55-Minute Training Series

Copyright © 2007Betty Stallings

Energize, Inc.

Volunteer Recruitment

© 2007, Betty Stallings - Energize, Inc. S-2

Definition: Volunteer Recruitment►A process to attract and

invite people to consider volunteer involvement within your agency, faith community, or organization.


Learning Objectives►Understand what recruitment is and the

impact of doing it well.►List objections and barriers to

volunteering…and some strategies to overcome them.

►Design an effective recruitment message.►Describe characteristics of effective

recruiters.


4 Key Concepts1. Until you identify and address people’s

possible resistance to volunteering, you will not reach your potential in volunteer recruitment.

2. For volunteer recruitment to be successful, the needs of the organization and the needs of the volunteer must be met simultaneously.

3. The recruitment invitation must, minimally, include 3 elements.

4. Effective, trained people should recruit volunteers.


Key Concept 1►Until you identify and address people's

possible resistance to volunteering within your organization, you will not reach your potential in volunteer recruitment.


Activity►Identify any organizational or

personal barriers that may keep prospective volunteers from responding positively to opportunities to work in our organization.


Barriers ResponsesPeople's limited time Develop more short term,

episodic positionsCosts related to volunteering Offer to cover expenses

Distant location of organization

Develop positions for people to do at their home or office

Need flexibility; regular commitment difficult

Design a back-up substitute system for volunteers

Type of client that organization serves

Brainstorm types of people who care about your clients and design targeted recruitment to reach them


Key Concept 2►For volunteer recruitment to be

successful, the needs of the organization and the needs of the volunteer must be met simultaneously.


Recruitment Techniques to Avoid

►Bait and switch►“There’s nothing to it.”►“We’re desperate; anyone will do.”► Cast your net and see who swims in.►“You’re a CPA. We could use one of you!”►“We have lots of needs...HELP!”►“I‘m tired of doing it. Anyone else want to?”


Key Concept 3

► The recruitment invitation must, minimally, include 3 elements: The statement of need. (The need of

clients, not of the agency!) How the volunteer can help. Benefits of the position to the volunteer.


Invitation Example 1► Statement of client need

They have gloves, bats and softballs, but no coach. Seventy-five mentally-challenged boys and girls are waiting for a coach.

► How to help Don’t let them strike out. Join our Special Olympics Team! Call

1-800-Gold today!

► Benefits You’ll never feel more appreciated (and you’ll get some

exercise, too!).


Invitation Example 2► Statement of client need

Many Seniors in our community are not eating balanced meals and are suffering from malnutrition.

► How to help You can give three hours to chop, slice, spread, boil, wrap,

and pack food with our chef and other great folks.

► Benefits Knowing you’ve made a difference, enjoying your team,

and learning how to cook in large quantities!


Sample Recruitment MessageEvery 15 seconds a woman is beaten in this Every 15 seconds a woman is beaten in this country. Every 15 seconds her partner country. Every 15 seconds her partner shares in her loss of self-esteem. Their shares in her loss of self-esteem. Their children are learning how to behave in children are learning how to behave in relationships. You can help stop this cycle of relationships. You can help stop this cycle of violence and learn valuable communication violence and learn valuable communication skills by serving as a volunteer with the skills by serving as a volunteer with the Battered Women’s Alternatives Hotline. In Battered Women’s Alternatives Hotline. In the next 15 seconds, you can make a the next 15 seconds, you can make a difference!difference!


Family Recruitment Message

Many elderly in our community live lonely Many elderly in our community live lonely stretches without a warm smile or stretches without a warm smile or embrace. Your family could volunteer to embrace. Your family could volunteer to “adopt” one of these senior residents. The “adopt” one of these senior residents. The members of your family will experience members of your family will experience some rare quality time together while some rare quality time together while giving someone’s grandma or grandpa a giving someone’s grandma or grandpa a real lift.real lift.


Key Concept 4

►It is important to have effective, trained people recruiting new volunteers.


Best Volunteer Recruiters►Volunteers who are:

Satisfied Enthusiastic

Enthusiasm ends with IASM: I Am Sold Myself! Articulate Connected with the person or group

being recruited


Summary►Remember that volunteer recruitment is

a process to attract and invite people to consider volunteer involvement within your organization.

►Address possible barriers. ►There must be mutual benefits.►Design an effective message.►Select and train people to recruit.

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