Getting & Keeping Volunteers
Recruitment
Investing some time in recruiting the right people for your volunteer positions
will pay off in the long term. By focusing on the skills and personal qualities
you are seeking and targeting your recruitment towards those that fit this description,
you will find you are often more successful in attracting qualified candidates than
if you conduct more general recruitment. The internet and social media are great
tools for recruitment today. You should develop written position descriptions for
volunteers to use in your recruitment, just as you would for regular employees.
You should also use interviews, background checks, or other screening processes
to choose the appropriate volunteers for your position. For other tips and recruitment
strategies, check out the resources below:
Promotion
Getting media publicity and community recognition for your volunteer projects is
a great way to promote volunteerism, in general and at your organization, in particular.
This helps make it easier for you to recruit additional volunteers and helps boost
the morale of your current volunteers.
The ICVS makes a special effort to promote volunteerism during special National
and State Days of Service. Find out more about these days and how you can join in
our promotional efforts by visiting the Days of Service
page in the Our Programs section of our website.
Recognition
Volunteer recognition is a key component in successful volunteer management. In
order to maximize volunteer recognition, volunteer managers should consider surveying
their volunteers about the type(s) of recognition volunteers would appreciate so
that they can meet the volunteers’ needs. For example, some volunteers do not want
publicity for their service; a simple, handwritten note is thanks enough for them.
However, other volunteers feel most appreciated when their service is acknowledged
publicly.
As part of your volunteer recognition, your organization could incorporate an awards
program. Several methods are commonly used, such as length of service, number of
hours of volunteering, etc. Programs should also consider recognition programs that
also acknowledge the quality of the volunteer service and not only the quantity.
Effective volunteer recognition offers many benefits to organizations that utilize
volunteers. Some agency benefits include:
- Increased volunteer retention
- Volunteers feel appreciated for their service
- Volunteers feel more connected and engaged with your agency-this may result in an
increased likelihood that volunteers will strengthen their commitment (more volunteering
or volunteer leadership positions), donate resources, or recruit other volunteers
or donors to your program
- Opportunity to showcase your program to the community – recognition events are great
opportunities for press releases and media coverage
- Opportunity to interact socially with volunteers – this is an opportunity to visit
with and get to know your volunteers in a new and fun way
For more information about volunteer recognition programs offered through the ICVS,
visit the Volunteer Recognition page
of our website or review the resources below:
Evaluations
One important step in maintaining a high quality volunteer program is conducting
evaluations to make sure that your volunteers are satisfied with their activities,
that their service is helping your organization to meet its goals. Make sure you
give volunteers, agency staff, and service recipients the opportunity to give feedback
during the evaluation process.
Hands On Network, Ten Steps to Developing a Volunteer Program Evaluation Plan:
http://learning.nationalserviceresources.org/file.php/64/Evaluating/StepsforEvaluationPlans.pdf