On Wednesday, March 23rd, GlobalGiving hosted a training on volunteer recruitment, management and retention. The following is a recording of that training.
21. Post a volunteer opportunity today! https://surveyglobalgiving.wufoo.com/forms/volunteer-information/ Contact: Alexis Nadin [email_address]
Notas del editor
It’s important not to have a narrow view of volunteers – often times I talk to organizations that think of volunteers as just high school students who can make copies, staple packets, etc. And while this is a certainly a viable option for volunteers, volunteers can be SO MUCH more! Highly qualified interns, professionals, etc. For fundraisers – this last item is crucial, volunteers can become future donors, can bring in future revenue
Things to think about when recruiting volunteers: - diversity! You want people who are going to bring new insight, challenge you, give you ideas
Write a description that is: Compelling – get people excited about this volunteer opportunity! Honest – at the same time, be honest. Don’t sugar coat anything. If people are going to be living in difficult circumstances, or doing a lot of photocopying, make that clear up front to avoid surprises Concise – people don’t like to read. So keep it short and sweet. VolunteerMatch recommends that your listings be no more than 100 words Specific – tell people exactly what they’ll be doing, what your expectations are, the qualifications that they will need, the dates, the location (in the field, your office, or remote) Other things to consider: Spelling and grammar – people respond well to good work choice, grammar, spelling etc. Include only one opportunity per listing
Develop a target audience. Think critically about who you want to volunteer and how you can attract them. For example, are you looking for college kids? Retired individuals? Skilled volunteers? Companies that would like their employees to donate time?
Has referred over 5 million volunteers in the past 10 years
Audience that is looking to do good Fundacion Sodis in Bolivia has received an excellent translator. Other organizations have had webites built, had volunteers help out with garage sale fundraisers, received social media support, and had individuals come work with them overseas. Right now, one of our partners, Brothers Self-Help group has a volunteer living in their village in rural Kenya! GlobalGiving is making valuable connections GBSN Sites of Change Editors from Towson Morehead Cain Foundation GlobalGiving is responding to requests - friends, donors, random visitors, etc.
Like fundraising, just posting something online is not sufficient. Promote your volunteer opportunities in your social networks. In February, GlobalGiving began the search for a new Unmarketing Manager to manager our social media. Instead of accepting applications the traditional way, via email, we insisted that they be delivered in a creative way. It spread like WILD FIRE. We had people singing, sending us baked goods at the office.
Create a volunteer experience Make sure that volunteers understand the long-term impact of their work with your organization
Create a volunteer experience Make sure that volunteers understand the long-term impact of their work with your organization
This can be both during and after the volunteer experience When you’re passing by and you notice that you’re doing really great work, stop to say thank you When they’re about the leave for good, say thank you again Once they’re gone, follow up with yet another thank you!