volunteer recruitment: finding your volunteers
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TRANSCRIPT
VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT
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Presenter: Sandra MillerConsultant/Trainer, Volunteer Centers of [email protected]
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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