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Tip #9: Five Cool Ideas for Attracting Volunteers
Did you know that more than 50% of people who volunteer do so because
they are asked to by a friend, co-worker or acquaintance? That’s
true according to Nora McClintock who wrote Quick tips for Volunteer Management.
And think back about the last time you stepped up to volunteer. Very likely
you were saying yes to someone who was asking. We can do all the fancy
brochures and write lots of letters about the value of volunteering, but
the “yes, I will” comes 7 out of 10 times from a personal
conversation.
We talked with a number of organizations and volunteer leaders and culled
some of the best resources out there [click here
for a list of top volunteer resources]. Here are five of our favorites:
- Imprint your logo and volunteer message on colorful balloons to
hand out at community events and watch your name float by all who
attend! (Cool idea from Judy Esmond, author of Count Me In –
501 Ideas for Recruiting Volunteers)
- Offer a “No obligation trial period” for new volunteers
to give them a chance to see if they like the job (and you!). This
can allay their fears and help you assess them. (Cool idea from Steve
McCurley & Rick Lynch’s book Essential Volunteer Management)
- Spread the word about your organization at business networking events
like your local Chamber of Commerce. Many have networking breakfasts
or luncheons where you can give your 30-second pitch one-on-one to
dozens of people. (A working idea from Laurel Advocacy and Referral
Services volunteer recruiter)
- Write a short, simple recruitment “slogan” that becomes
your volunteer brand and weave it into every communication from your
organization from letterhead and business cards to speeches and advertising.
- Connect with larger local businesses to develop a relationship that
promotes your volunteer opportunities to their workforce. Consider
asking them to “sponsor” a specific event or activity
by supplying volunteers or simply encouraging their staff to support
your volunteer needs.
Resources for Volunteer Management
Organizations
Volunteer Center for
Anne Arundel County – this is one of Maryland’s friendliest
center, but you can find similar ones all around the country.
Association for Volunteer Administration
– helpful professional association with many resources.
Websites & E-Letters
www.energizeinc.com –
Energize, Inc. is an international training, consulting and publishing
firm specializing in volunteerism with cool tools and neat links, including
low cost e-books!.
www.compasspoint.org –
Board Café is the electronic newsletter exclusively for members
of nonprofit boards of directors. Short enough to read over a cup of
coffee, Board Café offers a menu of ideas, information, opinion,
news, and resources to help board members give and get the most out
of board service. Published by CompassPoint, a consulting firm in CA.
www.mapnp.org/library/staffing/outsrcng/volnteer/volnteer.htm
– The Management Assistance Program (MAP) for Nonprofits, in St.
Paul, Minnesota, hosts this Free Management Library which offers a host
of information, tips and links.
www.volunteertoday.com –
Volunteer Today is an e-newsletter for those who manage the work of
volunteers in nonprofit, government or corporate programs.
www.nationalserviceresources.org/links/index.php
– National Service Resource Center’s list includes resources
and links on volunteerism and volunteer management
nonprofit.about.com –
About.com was founded in 1997 with a simple premise, that people are
the best Guides to the Internet. When you read an article on About.com,
you are tapping into a powerful network of 475 Guides. They now have
this site especially for nonprofit and voluntary programs covering topics
such as how to start a nonprofit, the latest non-profit news, and how
to raise money.
www.npgoodpractice.org–
The Nonprofit Good Practice Guide is a one-stop shop for widely-accepted
and innovative nonprofit practices offering Preferred Practices and
Pitfalls, Glossaries, Resources, Trends and Web site Profiles within
ten topic areas.
Books & Articles
The (Help) I-Don’t-Have-Enough-Time Guide to Volunteer Management,
Katherine Noles Campbell & Susan J Ellis, an E-book published by
Energize, Inc!, www.energizeinc.com
– the title says it all! It covers all aspects of volunteer management
and includes assessment tools.
Nonprofit Market Analysis, Bill Nissim, 2004, BloodhoundNetwork.com,
http://nonprofit-organizations.bloodhoundnetwork.com/
– this short article focuses on conducting a market analysis which
will help you make better volunteer management decisions.
Episodic Volunteering: Organizing and Managing the Short-Term Volunteer
Program, Nancy Macduff, MBA Publishing, www.volunteertoday.com
– this book covers the basics of integrating short-term volunteer
opportunities and people into the existing program.
Volunteer Management Catalog, Points of Light Foundation, www.PointsofLight.org/resources
– publications on many topics including marketing and media.
Want more ideas? Contact
us and we’ll be happy to share some of the ideas we’ve
found as well as our own experiences.
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