Also, take the size of your event or volunteering task into account. This will influence how many volunteers you’ll need to recruit and train. For example, you’ll need far fewer volunteers at a small lecture event than you will at a community-wide dance-a-thon. Your recruitment message is the key information you share with your community about your organization, inspiring them to join your cause. This message should be both enticing and authentic, representing your organization’s collective voice.
This is a good option for many as interacting with others in real-time in meaningful ways becomes ever rarer in the modern world. Whether they’re conscious or not, many people volunteer to enhance their self-image. Without proper attention and the right information and tools, working with volunteers can actually waste precious resources. Volunteers may feel unappreciated and unneeded if they work by themselves without supervision.
Step 4: Create a Simple and Accessible Application Form
It’s also easier to “persuade” people who already know you in one way or another than it is for those who don’t. Point out the benefits (e.g. skills and experience) the volunteer will receive as well as the community benefits that arise from volunteering. Volunteer recruitment can be time consuming and when the pressure is on to make sure you have enough volunteers to support your cause or event… Volunteer recruitment strategies are crucial for attracting volunteers to an organisation. Provide incentives for first-time volunteers to encourage them to register, such as a complimentary t-shirt or water bottle. You can also host raffles at certain volunteer events to give supporters the chance to win a bigger prize.
Survey Your Current Volunteers
What’s even more compelling is that 67% of them prefer to donate to the same nonprofits where they served. For current supporters, consider leveraging peer-to-peer marketing techniques to increase referral traffic. Encourage these supporters to post about their experiences online and tell their friends and family about existing opportunities. Or, ask for volunteer testimonials to post on your volunteer landing page to keep it fresh with positive, honest volunteer perspectives. Keep these volunteer descriptions on all recruitment resources, including your volunteer landing page, informational social media posts, and email newsletters.
- You should also consider hosting regular appreciation events to reward your volunteers’ hard work.
- This step-by-step guide will help you create and implement a comprehensive volunteer recruitment strategy to find dedicated and passionate volunteers for your organisation.
- Answering these questions beforehand will help create clarity and make sure volunteers feel valued, engaged, and supported right from the start.
- Joanne Fritz is an expert on nonprofit organizations and philanthropy.
The Volunteer Management Lifecycle
Generate a list of synagogues, churches, mosques, and other religious centers in your local community, and connect with their staff members. Ask if you can post your volunteer recruitment flyers in their community centers or include links to your registration form in their email newsletters. People appreciate volunteer opportunities because they can gain new transferable skills for their personal or professional lives. Brainstorm a list of skills that volunteers may develop through recurring shifts, leadership opportunities, or by serving on committees.
This might involve distributing flyers, setting up brochures, speaking to groups, posting on socials, and more. Reward and recognition programs are a great way to improve volunteer engagement and show your appreciation for the time and effort your volunteers dedicate to your cause. These programs can also provide additional motivation for volunteers to continue their involvement with your organisation.
Essential Steps to Launching a Vibrant Small Group Ministry
- When recruiting volunteers, consider reaching out through several different channels — you never know what will resonate.
- To see how volunteer engagement surveys make a tangible difference, here are a couple of real-world examples from organizations that turned feedback into action.
- Formulating a clear plan for volunteer activities and identifying operational gaps that volunteers can address is the key to recruiting qualified volunteers, who complement your needs.
- Keep these volunteer descriptions on all recruitment resources, including your volunteer landing page, informational social media posts, and email newsletters.
- So, share survey findings with your team and, when appropriate, with the volunteers themselves.
- Kindful’s volunteer management guide also recommends including any benefits volunteers will receive from participating, such as networking opportunities, social events, or free merchandise.
An effective volunteer job description is crucial for attracting the right people to your cause. When potential volunteers clearly understand what they’re signing up for, they’re more likely to commit and stay engaged. However, volunteer programs only bring value to a nonprofit organization when they’re done “right”. Recruiting, engaging, and retaining nonprofit volunteers takes time and effort. Happy and engaged volunteers can become ambassadors for your cause, sharing their experiences and encouraging others to join.
One of the best ways to treat your existing volunteers fairly is by mindfully recruiting new volunteers who share the same passion for your mission as they do. Keep in mind that volunteer recruitment can look different for each organization and needs careful planning for maximum results. To help, we’ll walk you through eight strategies to develop a sustainable recruitment plan. Transform your volunteer landing page into a central hub for current volunteers, enhancing engagement and retention.
This saves time on both ends and often leads to higher volunteer satisfaction. Regardless of which recruitment method you use, you must have a compelling recruitment message. If your volunteer positions involve working with vulnerable populations, such as children or the elderly, be sure to 7 ways to recruit more volunteers for your nonprofit conduct thorough background checks to ensure the safety and well-being of those you serve.
Additionally, board members often have high-level connections in business, education, or even local and state government. They could help you coordinate a corporate volunteering day or connect you with a local club that is seeking a volunteering opportunity. Your nonprofit’s board members are responsible for a number of tasks. One of those is ensuring your organization has the resources (like volunteers!) to continue moving its mission forward. Another thing to take into consideration is the demographic and situation you’re trying to find volunteers for. For example, if you’re hosting a peer-to-peer fundraising event on a college campus, having college-aged volunteers will help you better connect with your target audience.
Many young volunteers are likely to be motivated by the benefit of personal and professional development. Career exploration, building up their resume, or gaining transferable skills are all common motivations for volunteering. Some even volunteer in hopes of being offered a paid position later on.
Start Engaging Volunteers Today
Let’s get started by taking a look at why volunteer recruitment strategies are so important. Effective volunteering recruitment leads to a reliable and strong volunteer base that’s engaged in your course and drives the organisation towards its goal. Here are 7 strategies that will help you improve your volunteer recruitment. You may have recruited volunteers for one-time or infrequent events, like 5K races or silent auctions. Keep in touch with these volunteers by sending them information about your ongoing volunteer opportunities. Share the impact they had on your organization and events to keep their momentum high and inspire them to stay involved.