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Recruitment Maxims
Submitted on 8 March 2005 by Robyn Cooper, Volunteer First Aid Service, St John Ambulance, Executive Officer, Perth, Western Australia Australia
A useful maxim for us has been "Ensure that our 'product' (the volunteering experience) is one that people want to 'buy' (give their time/energy to). This encompasses every aspect of volunteer recruitment...targeted marketing material which sells the benefits to the volunteer, processes which facilitate rather than hinder the prospective volunteer joining, activities which deliver on the promised benefits, and data collection which identifies why people have elected to 'buy' or not to 'buy' the volunteering experience.
The best recruitment campaign in the world will not provide new volunteers if the grass roots experience is not fulfilling, relevant and enjoyable.
Submitted on 7 March 2005, Teresa, New York USA
My biggest problem is not finding people as much as it is getting them to attend the 5 hour mandatory orientation. (It used to be a 1 1/2 day training but has been decreased in the hope that it will help but its still a challenge) So, if anyone has ideas of how I can get the volunteers to attend trainings, I would really appreciate it.
Submitted on 7 March 2005 by Christine Nardecchia, Volunteer Services Administrator
Are marketing professionals ever told to "think like Volunteer Administrators?" Why not? If our collective marketing expertise could be bottled, we would not only be wealthy, but sought after in every industry. We are experts at the win-win deal, people brokers, relationship-builders and networkers. That's the maxim; building and portraying programs clearly and concisely enough to bring people TO us.
Submitted on 3 March 2005 by Susan Lebovitz, SAFEHOME, Volunteer Manager, Overland Park, KS USA
It sounds so trite, but I tell prospective volunteers that if I can match their "passion" with a need our agency has, it's a win-win situation. That way, they know that we can think creatively how they can benefit the agency, rather than necessarily trying to fit into the printed volunteer categories listed on the application. Its those listed opportunities that bring them in, but sometimes when interviewing, a special skill emerges and it's good to be flexible enough to use it!
Submitted on 3 March 2005 by Lyne, Foundation for Senior Living, Director of Community Partnerships, Phoenix AZ USA
An overlooked Recruitment venue is often the vehicles your organization has. Think of your vehicles as a billboard on wheels. Let the community know your need for volunteers. Keep it short: Help ___________ by volunteering, and list your phone number.
Submitted on 3 March 2005 by Ann Babb, Community Coordinator, ABC Head Start, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
I couldn't agree with you more. In addition to being the coordinator of our volunteer program I also do the marketing and public relations for our agency. I market for volunteers, increased awareness and funding; outcomes may be different but the principals are the same and I find that having this inclusive vision has helped increase positive outcomes in all three areas.
What I try to reflect in our marketing strategies is my own personal and professional commitment to our agency's mission and vision. If I believe in the value of what this agency does then it shows in everything that goes out of this agency with respect to marketing.
Submitted on 2 March 2005 by Mikki Heydorff, Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, Volunteer Programs Coordinator, San Marino, CA USA
The most important maxim when recruiting new volunteers is don't waste people's time! Be straight forward and clear on what the volunteer job is -always write a job description. If potential volunteers know when, where, what and how long the opportunity will be, they will be able to make an informed decision and your volunteer program will be more successful in the long run.
Submitted on 1 March 2005 by Gail Orser, Guideposts, Prayer Dept. Manager, Pawling, NY USA
Great article. We are just beginning a big campaign to recruit additional volunteers. I read most of the Volunteer Recruitment material but I appreciated your thoughts and will use them as we make a plan on where to recruit and what to say. Thank you.
Submitted on 1 March 2005 by Sue Staggs, CAPP, Executive Director, Richmond, TX USA
What’s the most important recruitment maxim or tip you’d like to share?
Everyone wants to be needed. Often adults find themselves working hard in jobs where they can not see any way they make a difference. In cause recruitment of volunteers, we need to show people how they are needed, and how their time and efforts will be appreciated.
Submitted on 1 March 2005 by Hillary Roberts, Project Linus NJ, Inc., Pres., Keyport/NJ USA
What’s the most important recruitment maxim or tip you’d like to share?
We have found that attending workshops or conducting workshops on topics as they relate to non profit management and volunteerism are outstanding tools for recruiting potential volunteers. Well coordinated workshops can attract a diverse population with varied educational and employment experience. Workshops tend to attract individuals with a curiosity for the profession and a desire to contribute. For a practitioner it can be a marvelous eye opener that leads to sophisticated dialogue and recruitment. An agency investment.
If you’ve been in the field a while, has anything changed in how you do volunteer recruitment or in what seems to work best these days to invite people to participate?
Five years later, our approach to recruitment is quality over quantity. The self-education that people skills are key, that volunteer applications are vital and that the screening process is just that--a process requiring a combination of flexibility and predictability. As the field 'grows up' so must the professionals that contribute.
Submitted on 1 March 2005 by Anne Dixon, Tulsa Mayor's Citizen Corps, Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator, Tulsa, OK USA
What’s the most important recruitment maxim or tip you’d like to share?
Don't assume that all volunteer recruiting websites are honest. Research the website and the foundation (and directors) that may be funding the website. Since they usually want your EIN, your organization doesn't know or have control on how it might be used (or misused).
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