Check out the list of "Websites Where You Can Post Volunteer Opportunities"

The Military
Submitted 8August2003 by Marjorie Moore, RISE Project and Volunteer Development Coordinator, Radio Information Service for the Blind and Print Handicapped, Illinois, USA
We are located near an Air Force base and I can't say enough about the volunteers that have come from it. It may seem like these people have plenty to do, or aren't the right age (since most military people are between 18 and 22, not a big age for volunteers) but they truly are great. We already had two great Air Force wives reading for us when a middle aged major walked through our doors and developed a quick passion for our organization. Since then, he has been on of our biggest supporters! He brings new people on base over to meet us and they often start volunteering with us too!

The military is really an overlooked source of volunteers. One of our newest volunteers pulled me aside one day and thanked me for letting him and the others volunteer with us. I told him it was no problem at all and we were glad to have all of the good help we could find. He then proceeded to tell me that he had been turned down at other organizations because the nature of a military person's job is transient. I was shocked. I suppose I could have turned away these 10 great and dedicated volunteers because they couldn't commit to five years of service, but I would have missed out on a diverse and talented group.

Local College
Submitted on 6Oct02 by Michelle Phares, Volunteer Coordinator, Desert Winds High School CA, US

We spoke with a professor from a nearby community college about our volunteer program's need for tutors. He struck a deal with his class: Instead of writing a traditional term paper for his class, they had the option to volunteer as tutors for our organization and get the same amount of credit! Many colleges have professors that are willing to give college credit for volunteer work that relates to their class, community service organizations that are willing to volunteer, and job placement centers where you can post your volunteer opportunities.

Neighborhood Open House
(from Susan's Tip of the Month in the Monthly e-Mail Update)

Many of you know about my "proximity chart" recruitment technique, in which I urge you to walk or drive in concentric circles around your organization's site, writing down everything you see and then determining how you can approach these "neighbors" with a recruitment message. A related idea is to encourage your organization to hold an open house at least once a year--or whenever something special deserves celebration. The point, however, is to do something especially for your "neighbors." Send invitations that are different from any general, public announcements. Either make it clear that this event is only for those within a two-block radius, or explain that neighbors will be welcome an hour earlier than the general public for special attention.

The reasons for making this effort are several. First, it has been shown many times that people watch out for the property and visitors of others in their neighborhood if they feel friendly towards one another. Second, you can explain volunteer opportunities and have "real" volunteers give tours or otherwise interact with the visitors. This is not meant to be an actual recruitment campaign and certainly not a hard sell. The point is to inform your neighbors, both to sow seeds should they ever be looking for volunteer work and also to enlist them as ambassadors, telling others about what volunteers do. Finally, have a wish list of needed items ready. You never know when a neighbor wants to have a garage sale and you might get a donation off the top! (You may even how items YOU can give away in exchange for being hauled off site.)

Give opportunities for your visitors to ask questions, not just to be preached at. And be sure the open house allows people to meet one another, too. After all, you're all neighbors! Who knows? You may end up with the most popular block party or pot luck supper of the year.

"Putting Tourists to Work!"
(from Susan's Tip of the Month in the Monthly e-Mail Update)

Does your community have a Convention and Visitors Bureau? Are there conferences that come to your city or town, bringing small and large groups of conventioneers? If you can accommodate small or large groups to do something meaningful as volunteers, approach your C&V Bureau with the idea of offering visitors a community service project as an alternative conference "special event."

In recent years, it has become common for volunteer management conferences and other socially-aware groups to sponsor a local "day of service" while in town. There is no reason why any convention might not be interested in this concept--but, as with any other volunteers, they have to be asked.

Service projects give visitors a chance to get off-site (escaping their hotel) and introduce them to neighborhoods not usually on the tourist circuit. Special events can be boringly similar. Think of how many boat rides, museum receptions, or other such activities you've seen on conference schedules. Volunteering is a novel way to meet other conferees, dress casually, learn new things, and do something worthwhile. In groups, it is usually fun, too!

You'll be most successful if you can link the project with the theme of the conference or the skills of attendees. Keep in mind that a conference may already be renting buses for other activities and may be able to transport volunteers to your site at the same time. Finally, work with the conference organizers to arrange some press coverage--it will be local media giving your program attention because someone from "outside" approached them with the news item.

"Summer Camp Fun through Service"
(from Susan's Tip of the Month in the Monthly e-Mail Update)

Students in the northern hemisphere are on summer break (our southern hemisphere friends can save this tip to apply in December!) and many of them are spending part of their summer at day or overnight camp. Interest in youth and community service extends beyond the classroom. Consider whether you have projects that young people might enjoy doing as a group and recruit through nearby summer camps. Camps are sponsored by a wide variety of organizations, urban and rural, such as: faith communities, Ys and youth clubs, municipal departments of recreation, Girl and Boy Scouts, and private clubs. Contact their various activity directors about your volunteer opportunities.

Every camp program includes arts and crafts of some sort, so suggest how campers might provide decorations or small handmade gifts for something your facility is doing this summer--or in advance for holidays later in the year. Offer your site as a "field trip" for hands-on projects such as food or clothing sorting. Combine activities you and the camp may already be planning, such as campers accompanying your clients on to movie or museum expedition. And, on the assumption that singing and dramatics remain a mainstay of camp life, what about challenging the youngster to present a skit for the enjoyment of your residents or patients. Think fun!