Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers - Matthew Plumridge - Surrey Community Action
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Recruiting &
Retaining
Volunteers
7th March 2019
Matthew Plumridge
Definition of a Volunteer
Oxford English Dictionary
a person who freely offers to take part in a task:
▪ a call for volunteers to act as foster-parents
▪ a person who freely enrols for military service rather
than being conscripted
▪ a person who works for an organisation without being
paid: the railway is operated solely by volunteers
Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers
Definition of a Volunteer
Oxford English Dictionary
a person who freely offers to take part in a task:
▪ a call for volunteers to act as foster-parents
▪ a person who freely enrols for military service rather
than being conscripted
▪ a person who works for an organisation without being
paid: the railway is operated solely by volunteers
▪ a plant that has not been deliberately planted
Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers
Does it feel like other
Organisations…
have:
- more resources
- more mis-placed plants
- more hardy perennials
Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers
Does it feel like
the grass is
greener on the
other side?
Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers
Well …
It’s greener
where you
water it
Volunteers
Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers
Well…
It’s greener
where you
water it
Volunteers
Build Capacity
Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers
Strong Volunteer Team
Recruiting and retaining
‘appropriate’ volunteers
Means:
- less resources needed
- less mis-placed plants
- less turnover (volunteers & staff)
- less problems to deal with
Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers
It starts
with you
Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers
So, what do you
need to consider?
well…
Recruiting &
Retaining VolunteersWhat are you communicating?
Volunteers needed
Desperately
UrgentlyWhat are you communicating?
Volunteers needed
Desperately
UrgentlyVolunteering is a two way relationship It’s not all about you What’s in it for them? Think about volunteer development
Are you projecting a welcoming friendly place?
Different styles attract different people
is it confusing?Decide on a campaign strategy
K.I.S.S. Principle
Keep it:
- simple
- targeted
- manageable
- cost effectiveDecide on a campaign strategy
K.I.S.S. Principle
Keep it:
- simple Posters, leaflets, adverts
- targeted
- manageable
- cost effectiveAvoid using internal stuff
Meaningless to others
Looks
unprofessionalDecide on a campaign strategy
K.I.S.S. Principle
Keep it:
- simple
- targeted Who do you want to attract?
- manageable
- cost effectiveTargeted approach
People like us volunteer
People like me
volunteerTargeted approach
Pictures should reflect who you
want to attractDecide on a campaign strategy
K.I.S.S. Principle
Keep it:
- simple
- targeted
- manageable time and resource
- cost effectiveManageable
Event badges
Take a stand at a
volunteer fair or
community event
Volunteers
Open Day
Display feature
Find out how you can get involved
Handy
literature Hold your own eventDecide on a campaign strategy
K.I.S.S. Principle
Keep it:
- simple
- targeted
- manageable
- cost effective Decide on a budget
(it will cost something)Can prospective volunteers see
your message?
Competing? Confusing?
Proof read everythingWhere can you go for help?
Which of these would be
1 best, to advertise for
volunteers ?
A B C
Volunteer Internet Library
Centres,
CVS’ & LIO’sWhich of these would be
1 best, to advertise for
volunteers ?
A B C
Volunteer Internet Library
Centres,
CVS’ & LIO’s Don’t die of
ignorance
(UK leaflet)Which of these would be
1 best, to advertise for
volunteers ?
A B C
Volunteer Internet Library
Centres, do-it.org
CVS’ & LIO’s streetlife.comWhich of these would be
1 best, to advertise for
volunteers ?
A B C
Volunteer Internet Library
Centres, Local Papers,
newsletters,
CVS’ & LIO’s community
magazinesShould you use Social
2 Media to attract volunteers?
A B C
Definitely Depends ‘Defo not’
(maybe)Should you use Social
2 Media to attract volunteers?
A B C
Definitely Depends ‘Defo not’
(maybe)When should you reach for 3 the application form? A B C Straight Another Before they away day leave
When should you reach for 3 the application form? A B C Straight Another Before they away day leave’
What is the first question
4 you should ask them?
A B C
When can How many How quick
you start? hours can do you
you do? work?What is the first question
4 you should ask them?
A B C
When can How many How quick
you start? hours can do you
you do? work?
None of the aboveSo what should you ask?
5
A B C
How can we What would What is
help you? you like to your
get from timeline?
this?So what should you ask?
5
A B C
How can we What would What is your
help you? you like to timeline?
get from
this?
All of the aboveTell them
What you can offer:
- Trial period (Hurrah)
- Full training
- Buddy for them to work with
- Flexible hours
- Reference if needed
- Friendly environmentTell them
What you can offer:
- Trial period (Hurrah)
- Full training (Brilliant)
- Buddy for them to work with
- Flexible hours
- Reference if needed
- Friendly environmentTell them
What you can offer:
- Trial period (Hurrah)
- Full training (Brilliant)
- Buddy for them to work with (Great)
- Flexible hours
- Reference if needed
- Friendly environmentTell them
What you can offer:
- Trial period (Hurrah)
- Full training (Brilliant)
- Buddy for them to work with (Great)
- Flexible hours (Even better)
- Reference if needed
- Friendly environmentTell them
What you can offer:
- Trial period (Hurrah)
- Full training (Brilliant)
- Buddy for them to work with (Great)
- Flexible hours (Even better)
- Reference if needed (OMG)
- Friendly environmentTell them
What you can offer:
- Trial period (Hurrah)
- Full training (Brilliant)
- Buddy for them to work with (Great)
- Flexible hours (Even better)
- Reference if needed (OMG)
- Friendly environmentAccentuate the benefits
Link what you offer to what they are looking
for:
- Meet new people
- Learn new skills
- Gain experience
- Give something back
- Make a difference
- Build confidenceBe clear about
Meeting their expectations:
- What you don’t offer
- What you / they expect
- What days / times they can fill
- What isn’t allowed
- Ongoing support
- Expenses policyVolunteer retention
Relationship is key:
- Get to know them
- Be genuinely nice / appreciative
- Make it fun
- Move them around (variety)
- Keep them updated on changes
- Keep them informed of new developments
- Give praise and thank them
- Reward your volunteersVolunteer retention
Relationship is key:
- Have regular ‘catch-ups’
- Sort out issues quickly
- Get rid of troublesome volunteers quicklyVolunteer retention
Relationship is key:
- Have regular ‘catch-ups’
- Sort out issues quickly
- Get rid of troublesome volunteers quickly
Quick Volunteer Exit = VexitVolunteer retention
Relationship is key:
- Have regular ‘catch-ups’
- Sort out issues quickly
- Get rid of troublesome volunteers quickly
Quick Volunteer Exit = Vexit
Vexit means Vexit
(Don’t take them back)Volunteer retention
Relationship is key:
- Have regular ‘catch-ups’
- Sort out issues quickly
- Get rid of troublesome volunteers quickly
Quick Volunteer Exit = Vexit
Vexit means Vexit
(Don’t take them back)
and finally…Volunteers also like cake
Recruiting &
Retaining VolunteersQuestions?
Matthew PlumridgeYou can also read
