Volunteers are everything to our associations. Their commonalities are what create associations and their continued service is what breathes life into the organization everyday. They are all dedicated individuals, passionate about their association’s cause. Some associations may have a multitude of volunteers, while others only have a few. The infamous question always asked is, “How do I get more volunteers?” For this, it’s important to remember the four P's.
- Preliminary Work
- Personal Invitation
- Positive Experience
- Position Description
Do the Preliminary Work. Figure out why volunteers want to become involved so you and the association can best meet their needs. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself:
- What type of volunteers does the association need?
- Who should lead the recruitment efforts?
- Does the potential volunteer want to volunteer for value or status?
Personal Invitation. Anyone who has ever been a victim of door-to-door sales knows it is really hard to say no. A recent study showed that 42 percent of individuals who were personally asked to volunteer for an organization accepted the invitation. When looking to gain more volunteers, your motto should be: Find the best person for the task and ask!
How many of you have walked into a new store, experienced horrible customer service, and walked out? This brings me to my next point (and probably most important), Positive Experience. It is imperative for your volunteers to have a positive experience in their efforts. After all, they are doing you a favor by working for free! So, how do you provide a positive experience? It’s the little things that can go a long way. There are many ways to provide a great first impression. They can range from a simple thank you to a card letting them know how invaluable they are to a phone call (those are rare these days).
To hone in on who would be the best volunteer for your organization provide a Position Description. After all, a position description will provide individuals with an understanding of what is expected of them. Here are a few things to include in your position description:
- Benefits
- Supervisor information
- Commitments
- Responsibilities
- Location
- Qualifications
Overall, when recruiting volunteers, keep in mind the importance of the four P’s. This system will assist you in bringing in not only more, but the right individuals to get the job done.
Check out part two of this blog series —Volunteer Recognition: Be S.I.N.C.E.R.E.
Chrissy Kissinger, Director of Committee Relations for the Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurses Society, graduated from Eastern University with a bachelors degree in communications. A seasoned professional in areas of development, public relations, and marketing, Chrissy joined the WOCN Society in February 2011, adding an innovative approach to membership and committee development. Chrissy previously worked in the development department at The Franklin Institute and has also lent her marketing expertise to Virtua Health. Chrissy is currently enrolled to receive her masters in business administration at Eastern University. She is an avid runner who enjoys running for causes such as Crohns and Colitis Disease and Cancer Research and Awareness. Chrissy resides in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
