1. VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT
The presentation will begin momentarily.
Please be certain that you have
speakers connected or dial in using the
phone number provided then enter the
access code followed by the # sign.
3. Michigan Community Service Commission, Michigan
Nonprofit Association, Volunteer Centers of
Michigan, Michigan Campus Compact, and the
LEAGUE Michigan with support from the Connect
Michigan Alliance Endowment Fund and the
Corporation for National and Community Service, are
proud to support the ENGAGE Volunteer
Management training series.
4. Goals
• Identify the benefits of a systematic
volunteer recruitment program.
• Identify best practices in volunteer
recruitment.
• Provide ideas and tips that might be
used by a variety of organizations.
4
5. What is Volunteer Recruitment?
The process of matching an organization’s
needs with a volunteer’s interests and skills
5
6. Volunteer Recruitment
Is defined by HandsOn Network as. . .
a marketing effort with three main goals:
Promote a program that attracts people
who represent the full diversity of a
community on an ongoing basis
Generate visibility and credibility for the
program within the community
Find financial support
7. Benefits of Strategic
Volunteer Recruitment
Program
Sustainability
Increased
satisfaction & sense
of connection
Maximizes
organizational
resources
7
8. TWO TYPES
BROAD-BASED TARGETED
Actions which promote the Strategies designed to
organization’s mission and match specific
the role that volunteers organizational needs with
the skills and interests of a
generally play within the particular individual or
organization. group.
The volunteer position
description serves as a
foundation for the strategies
to be used.
11. Serves as a Foundation
1. Develop a
Volunteer
Position 3. Screen
Description Volunteers
2. Develop a 4. Interview
Targeted and Match
Recruitment Volunteers to
Plan Appropriate
Positions
11
13. The most important criteria. . .
• Clarifies expectations for staff and
prospective volunteers
• The first step in risk management
(informed consent)
• Volunteers will ―self screen‖ on the basis of
interest and skills.
13
14. Writing the Position Description
• Title
• Purpose/Objective
WEBSITE DEVELOPER.docx
• Benefits
• Location
• Key Responsibilities
• Qualifications
• Time Commitment
• Training/support provided
• Volunteer Supervisor
• Contact Information/website
14
15. KISS APPLIES • Keep it simple
– Avoid acronyms
– Leave details for the
screening process
• Keep it short
– 1 page
• Engage staff & current
volunteers as consultants
& editors
17. Determine Your Target Market
Target Market—
• Skills
The type of
individual or
• Interests
group
(audience) that
• Experience
will best meet
the needs of the • Availability
position and
organization.
17
18. POLL
What Type of Volunteer (Target Market) currently represents
the majority of your organization’s volunteers?
• Youth/Students
• Families
• Young Adults/Professionals
• Baby Boomers/Empty-Nesters
• Senior Citizens/Retirees
18
19. Targeted Recruitment
2. Identify 3. Craft a 4. Design a
1. Target Your Benefits and Powerful Communication
Market Features Message Strategy
19
20. Ask the following questions
• Who is your target audience?
• What are important features of position?
• What would appeal to them about the
position?
• What are some possible barriers?
• What additional things do we know about
the audience?
• Where and how is the best way to
communicate with the target market?
20
22. Benefits to the volunteer
Consider what the volunteer is looking for
– Why do people volunteer?
– What are their needs in terms of
time, duties, interaction, location, etc.
• Seek to remove the roadblocks
22
23. Create appealing opportunities. .
• Project focused .
• Time Limited
• Skill-based
• Flexible
• Opportunities for leadership
• Virtual
• Appealing to different groups
Families
Youth
Young professionals, Retirees, Companies,
etc.
23
25. Create An Appealing Message
General interest, excitement, and the desire to get involved!
THE CALL TO ACTION
26. Craft a powerful message
THREE PARTS
THE
STATEMENT HOW THE
BENEFITS
OF CLIENT VOLUNTEER
TO THE
NEED CAN HELP
VOLUNTEER
26
27. EXAMPLE
STATEMENT OF CLIENT NEED
A child makes decisions every day that shape who they are and whom they will become. Adults in
their lives will influence these decisions.
HOW TO HELP
Be that positive influence. A few hours a week listening, coaching, caring and supporting can make a
difference for a lifetime. Go to www.___ or call 1-800-555-5555 to learn more.
BENEFITS
Join ___ mentoring program where you’ll learn and practice new skills as you experience life through
the eyes of a child. Your life experiences and knowledge can help shape a child’s future.
27
28. Good Messages. . .
•Simple
Many elderly in our community live
•Compelling lonely stretches without a warm smile
•Consistent or embrace. Your family could
volunteer to ―adopt‖ one of these
with senior residents. The members of
branding your family will experience some rare
quality time together while giving
•Contact someone a real lift. Call Mary at 555-
Info. 111 for more information or visit
www.ourwebsite.org
28
30. POLL
Which of the following represents a target market that is under
presented in your volunteer pool?
• College Students
• Young Adults/Professionals
• Baby Boomers/Empty-Nesters
• Senior Citizens
• Corporate Employees
30
33. How will you get the message to the target audience?
THE COMMUNICATION
STRATEGY
34. Where do you find them?
• Young Professionals • Workplace
• Recreational Facilities
• Baby Boomers • Service Organizations
• Church Affiliations
• Youth • School/Classes
• Clubs/Sports Groups
• Libraries (computers)
34
35. What captures their attention?
• Social Media
• Internet
• Radio
• Television
• Newspapers
• Organizational print materials.
– Church bulletins
– Postcards
35
36. Communicating Your Message
• Distribute brochures or posters
• Make public service announcements on television,
radio, or newspaper
• Speak to community groups (e.g., faith-based,
neighborhood groups, community forums)
• Collaborate—churches, businesses, other nonprofits
• Post to online venues (e.g., Websites, Twitter,
YouTube, Facebook, blogs, etc.)
• Set up a booth at a local events (e.g., farmers
markets, festivals, etc.)
• Partner with service organizations or businesses.
36
37. POLL
What have been the most effective
communication strategies used by your
organization?
• Online
• Social media
• Radio
• Print materials
• Other
37
42. The most effective recruitment method is still. . .
THE DIRECT PERSONAL APPEAL
―THE ASK‖
43. Involve
• Communicate the value
Board and impact of volunteers
Administration • Identify potential target
Staff markets
Current Volunteers
Community Partners
• Serve as advocates
• Convey the message
• Tell their success stories
44. CAPITALIZE ON
National Days of Service Community Events
• Day of Service & • Festivals
Remembrance Sept. 11
• Make A Difference Day • Concerts
• Family Volunteer Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. • Athletic Events
Day
• National & Global Youth • Expos
Service Days
• National Volunteer Week • Orientations
4
4
45. Make the Connection
• Connect volunteers to the
organization’s mission
• Put a personal face to the
organization
• Offer opportunities for continued
involvement as a part of the
event’s
orientation, reflection, and
discussions.
• Share stories and benefits
45
46. The Most Effective Tool Remains. . .
• Your organization’s reputation
• Mission
• Impact
• Connection with your mission
• Word of mouth
46
47. THANK YOU
Please respond to the evaluation that you
will receive by email.
Your input is valuable
December 13 —
Volunteer Screening—Application &
Interview
47
Editor's Notes
Recruitment is actually the first step in the screening and retention process. A well run organization will utilize a matching process that serves to insure a positive experience. Positive experiences foster a sense of connection between the organization and individual.
Specific, focused addressed to a specific audience
An effective recruitment plan is clear about expectations which includes not only duties but the screening, interview and placement process. These steps are the first in a retention plan. A good match leads to a good experience for both volunteer and organization which helps to facilitate retention.
Targeted recruitment consists of 4 steps. Each is driven by the position description.
Again—Why Skilled Volunteers? Volunteer Match Survey statistics. Desire to use skills actually increases with age. Desire to develop skills continues to be a motivation across age groups. Skilled volunteer programs offer incentives to those individuals to become involved in and connected to your organization.
Brainstorm some examples of each part with your groups.
Identify—Client Need, Benefit, How to help. Contact information very important. Example provided by the Volunteer Center of Greater Kalamazoo
What’s the problem with this ? How might it be restructured?
Asks question. Stresses benefits to volunteer. Kent has several different posting—same position; worded to appeal to different populations
Consider the benefits and the appeal—who’s the target market?
Make you mission known. Make it easy for interested volunteers to learn more about your organization.
IntroductHandsOn Connect—discuss the advantages to the organization.
