WOS Volunteer Development Newsletters

This Issue: October, 2002

Volunteer Recruitment

When recruiting volunteers, assign jobs based on interest and skills.
The key to finding volunteers is at your Club's registration. However, it is an ongoing process throughout the year as you get to know your members not only as volunteers but also as individuals.

Try the following:

1. Divide larger jobs into smaller jobs. Many hands make light work.
2. Some people work better in a committee setting and others work better alone.

Job Description
Make sure the job description is clear, concise and complete. Know exactly what the job entails before you start looking.
Be honest when relating the time commitment required. And remember to resist the temptation to do it yourself. It takes more time to train a volunteer but if you don’t, pretty soon you’ll be doing it all by yourself.

Excuses
We have all heard every excuse but it is important for every club member to know that volunteers run your club. Perhaps at a general meeting or AGM, a good volunteer could talk about how and why they got involved and what it has given to them personally. Try to involve more people in smaller jobs, and as their confidence grows they may be willing to take on larger responsibilities.

Retainment

1. Allow them creativity and decision-making.
2. Show them appreciation.
3. Be open and receptive to new ideas.
4. Make the new volunteer feel that you need them not just for their “hands” but also for what they have to offer.
5. Volunteering must be fun.
6. Put the right person in the right job.
7. The first volunteer experience must be a pleasant one or you will lose them forever. Always use all your volunteers – nothing worse that volunteering and then not being needed.

Recognition

1. Say thank you.
2. Maintain a free coffee bar.
3. Plan an appreciation night.
4. Send a thank you note.
5. Greet them by name.
6. Take time to talk.
7. Celebrate outstanding achievements.
8. Start a picture gallery.
9. Say thank you and smile.

Quote of the Month: There’s only one thing worse than training your volunteers and having them leave and that’s not training them and having them stay.

Website of the Month: www.nutsbolts.com. Click on Free Articles to print articles on Board Relations, Committees, Leadership, Motivation, Marketing, Meetings, Member Relations, Teamwork etc.

By: Karen Wilson, WO Director of Volunteer Development