Social media is a great way to recruit volunteers, but you want to make sure you're creating great opportunities, and telling the whole story of volunteer engagement in your organization.

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Jennifer Bennett, CVA
Senior Manager, Education & Training
VolunteerMatch
jbennett@volunteermatch.org
@JenBennettCVA

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• Tips for creating social media campaigns
• The role of social media in volunteer
engagement
• Best practices for social media in volunteer
engagement
• Creating and recruiting for the right opportunities
• Social media policies – do you need one?
• Q&A
Agenda

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What is Social Media?
Social Media is a way of interacting with others
using online tools or platforms.
• Keep up to date with friends and family
• Share ideas or opinions
• Get ideas or reviews of places to eat or stay
It can also be used to communicate with
prospective volunteers, and recruit, train, and
keep in touch with current volunteers.

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Successful Social Media Campaigns
Social Media should be
• Brief
• Timely
• Actionable
Social Media can
• Keep volunteers and supporters up to date
• Help spread and share news and ideas
• Attract new volunteers
• Provide an experience not based on a location

5. Social Media & Volunteer Engagement
• What do you need your volunteers to do?
– Sign up for an event, shift or orientation
• What do you want you volunteers to know?
– Initial trainings, new policies/procedures
– That you appreciate what they do
• What would you like your volunteers to share?
With you? With the world? With each other?
– Feedback on new programs or opportunities
– Support and passion for your org and mission
– Experiences with other volunteers even if they work different
days or in different cities
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6. Facebook
The most popular social networking site in the world.
Great For:
• Building a community of all of constituents
• Sharing photos, videos, stories and events all in one place.
• Building relationships with peripheral volunteers (single day,
corporate groups)
• Saying “thank you” and promoting that to your whole community
• Getting feedback or ideas from volunteers or community members
Examples:
MS Society Long Island http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/NMSSLI?sk=wall&filter=12
VM Facebook http://www.facebook.com/VolunteerMatch?ref=ts#!/VolunteerMatch?sk=wall&filter=12
Hoboken Volunteer Center http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hoboken-Volunteers/191205373953
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7. Twitter
Twitter is about what is happening right now! In 140 characters or
less
Great For:
• Promoting new or upcoming volunteer opportunities
• Immediate volunteer needs or reminders
• Sharing news or events
• When you need the “ripple effect” - ReTweeting can help spread
the word
• Participating in or building support for an event or a topic –
hashtags (#) group like tweets #volunteer, #volunTweet, Tweet
Chats - #ttvolmgrs
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8. You Tube
Not just for cute kitten videos! Actually useful too.
Great For:
• Gathering videos to be promoted in other places – website, Facebook,
etc.
• Providing orientations and trainings available on the volunteer’s
schedule
• Professional development for your volunteers – new information
• Helping your volunteers understand your clients or the work you do
• Saying “Thank You!”
Examples:
MS awareness blog http://www.youtube.com/user/laurenvparrott
Cat Shelter Training Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUfvlndupy8
Junior Achievement Training Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zvb5bTPoAo
Thank You Video for Volunteer Firefighters http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjjkFTEyqA4
Volunteer Thank You Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_eoa9wA0Q8
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9. Blogs
Originally a combination of Web and Log – an online journal of
sorts – now, it can be so much more.
Great For:
• Sharing news and ideas and soliciting feedback
• Creating a customizable, easily updated place for information
on your volunteer program, and your organization.
• Show volunteers in action with videos and photos
• Helping volunteers communicate with you and with other
volunteers.
Blog as website for prospective volunteers http://rainiervolunteers.blogspot.com/
Chicago Conservation Corps http://chicagoconservationcorps.org/blog/studentclubs/
Nevada Volunteers http://nevadavolunteers.wordpress.com/
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Recruiting Online
• Introduce your program and your work!
• Set the stage – tell your story
• Have a “virtual” conversation
• Answer the question “what do volunteers do at your
organization?”
• Prioritize the information you share
• What does a volunteer need to know to decide if
they’re the right volunteer for your program?

11. Recruiting with VolunteerMatch
• Integrated Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and blast email
promotion tools
• All opportunities with skills automatically cross-post to
LinkedIn for Good
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12. Page

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15. Making a case for social media
You can’t be part of the conversation if you don’t
know what’s being said.
• What are the concerns? Are they valid? What information
might be persuasive?
• Find similar organizations using social media
• Research and create a Social Media Policy for your
organization
• Launch a pilot program/trial period
• Start with a more controlled channel
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16. Resources for social media policies
Mashable Social Media
10 Must-Haves for Your Social Media Policy
by Sharlyn Lauby
Policy Tool for Social Media
Social Media Policy Generator
LinkedIn Group
Social Media for Nonprofit Organizations
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17. Thanks for attending!
Join us online:
Like us on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/VolunteerMatch
Follow us on Twitter: @VolunteerMatch
Visit Engaging Volunteers, our nonprofit blog:
blogs.volunteermatch.org/engagingvolunteers/
Find the slides and resources:
http://www.slideshare.net/volunteermatch/social-media-creating-
impactful-recruitment-messages
6 months of premium tools:
Coupon Code: VolunteersRock
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18. Questions?
For any questions contact:
Jennifer Bennett
@JenBennettCVA
jbennett@volunteermatch.org
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