Volunteerism has changed and its rocking the association world. Explore the questions, the trends, and the how-to's for engaging members in volunteering for your association.
21. Top 5 Volunteering Drivers …
1. It’s important to help others
2. Do something for profession/cause
important to me
3. Feel compassion for others
4. Gain new perspectives
5. Explore my own strengths
Source: Decision To Volunteer, ASAE
35. Inventory
Committee Review
• consider every
opportunity, share, gather input
• Term
• Task
• Role within the association
Individual Job Review
• can you unbundle?
• categorize
(occasional, limited/shortterm, annual/ongoing, national
governance)
36.
37. Matrix
Position
Type of
Commitment
Skill/
Knowledge
Level
Individual/
Group
Location
Time
Commitment
Key Tasks
e.g., Virtual, Tele
conference,
Face-to-face
Est. number of
hours req’d or
term, temporary,
occasional,
interim
List
Position
e.g.,
Governance,
Standing,
AdHoc
e.g. Vol level 1,
2, 3, 4, 5
Writer
AdHoc
Vol Level 1
Individual
Virtual
1-3 hours
Write eletter article
of 300
words
Committee
Chair
Governance
Vol Level 4
Group
Combo
1-yr term
(list key
tasks)
38. Inventory
Committee Review
• consider every
opportunity, share, gather input
• Term
• Task
• Role within the association
Individual Job Review
• can you unbundle?
• categorize
(occasional, limited/shortterm, annual/ongoing, national
governance)
Create & visualize your
volunteer pathway
Rule of thumb*: 1/3 currently engaged (that means even on a 1-up task), 1/3 recently, 1/3 uninvolvedInteresting that this is a metric rarely measured. Research** – where members reported their activity – indicates 14.6% assn members involved in governance while another 15.5% in an ad hoc role*Source: 10 Lessons for Cultivating Member Commitment, ASAE 2012 – DTV 2007 and repeat late 2011** Source: Decision To Volunteer, ASAE 2008
Why important? Drives growth!Performing one simple task for the association moves perception of the assn value up substantially – from 38% to 44% on NPS scale (Source: 10 Lessons, ASAE 2012)15% of dropped members cited lack of involvement, only budget cuts was cited more often at 18% (Source: Marketing General Inc 2013 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report)BETTER ENGAGEMENT MEANS BETTER RENEWALS according to MGI Research shows that in the past year members who…upgraded their membership to a higher level of service were 12% more likely to renew…ordered a product in the past year were 28% more likely to renew…were also chapter members were 17% more likely to renew…attended an association meeting in the past year were 19% more likely to renew…attended four or more meetings were 30% more likely to renew
Here’s the problem – the old model doesn’t fit!• It ignores the reality of generational differences.• It handcuffs organizational decision-making.• It limits opportunities for involvement.
http://bit.ly/13Wwe1F
Today’s volunteer is looking for meaning not
Handcuffs (those multi-year, big jobs)
The NEW definition of volunteer is giving one’s time and talent to drive mission. This new definition draws on two intrinsic motivations to volunteer, with the focus on the outcomes of volunteering and the functions needed to drive those outcomes. This turns the image of volunteering, which traditionally starts with a Board and trickles down or begins with the job title and then the description, upside down.
And it’s based on a continuum of engagement …
The first isn’t a surprise for many of us: Time & FlexibilityTime = both in terms of how much and whenFlexibility = where, how
Think short-term, easy to complete tasks Maybe reoccurring but not long-term
Top 5 reasons for not volunteering (ASAE, Decision To Volunteer) include the critical lack of ad-hoc oppty!1. Lack of Information about Opportunities to Volunteer2. Conflict with other volunteering activity3. Never asked to volunteer4. Lack of information about virtual volunteering5. Lack of information about short-term assignments
This is important to note … the magic age is 30Why, perhaps: Settled down a it Clarified their career intentions Come to understand how and the importance of fueling requirements for thatSource: ASAE, 10 Lessons, 2012; Generations & The Future of Association Participation, William E. Smith Institute for Association research (2006) based on Social Capital & Community Benchmark Study, 2000 and Syracuse University similar study, 2004
The second trend to look at is Motivation – and it may surprise you.
Have you … you shouldASAE did …
Which means it has to address both sides …
Top 5 Drivers for Volunteering (ASAE, Decision To Volunteer) – are largely outward-facing!
Top 5 Drivers for Volunteering (ASAE, Decision To Volunteer) – are largely outward-facing!1. It’s important to help others2. Do something for profession/cause important to me3. Feel compassion for others4. Gain new perspectives5. Explore my own strengths
With 4 generations in the workplace, 2 of which are often referred to digital natives … the third shift is work stylesI don’t like to look at this as generational but rather as diversity … especially since we know that younger generations are not that different when it comes to the why
Be Flexible: Focus on “Associating”
Embrace micro-volunteering – ad-hoc jobs, job-sharing, shorter termsHarness technology to engage members & streamline the volunteer jobCreate volunteer portals so its easy to find options & sign-up
Traditional governance roles (e.g. board, committee with annual terms)Task force and project team assignments (limited or shorter-term engagement) Virtual volunteer roles (short or longer term)One-time volunteer opportunities (can be served in one or very limited commitment)Should answer “all of the above!”
Be Motivational: Create the balance of good for the order / good for me
Sell the need to care about the good of the professionSharpen the personal benefits … creates a balanced package
Put all the opportunities into a matrix – helps visualize the larger program, helps you see the “holes”, helps members see the requirements. Members become more proactive in seeking education and training.
Show members the volunteer pathway. Include the skills, knowledge and experience they need at each level.
Sources: AADE Get Involved: https://www.diabeteseducator.org/Members/GetInvolved.htmlNJSCPA Volunteer & Contribute: http://www.njscpa.org/volunteer-contribute
Sources: ONS Participate: http://www.ons.org/Membership/ParticipatePMI Get Involved: http://www.pmi.org/Get-Involved.aspx
Sources: ACS Get Involved, Stay Involved: http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/membership-and-networks/acs/getinvolved.htmlParental Drug Association Membership-Volunteer Opps: http://www.pda.org/Membership/Volunteer-Opportunities.aspx