© copyright 2011, northsky nonprofit network. all rights reserved. casting a wider net: expanding...
TRANSCRIPT
© Copyright 2011, NorthSky Nonprofit Network. All rights reserved.
Casting a Wider Net:Expanding Your Volunteer Recruitment & Retention Strategies
Presented by:
• Introductions• The new volunteer demographic• Traditional recruitment approaches• What works & doesn’t work • Targeted recruitment strategies• A systematic approach• Retention strategies• Workshop evaluation
Workshop Agenda
• Different profile – different needs• Important to create roles that meet needs • Essential to have the structure in place• Important to involve staff and gain support• Infrastructure is critical for success
Two Minute Refresher The New Volunteer
• Younger• Busier• Seeking meaningful opportunities• Impatient with time-wasting activities• Desire social connections• Some are donors• Graduation requirements create a pool of younger volunteers• Some are looking for job experience, training, re-entry to
employment
Profile of the New Volunteer
• Passive- “fill out an application at the front desk”• Broad, generic- “one size fits all”• Pre-defined roles based on what works for NPO• During “regular” business hours
Traditional Recruitment Approaches
Recruitment: what works
• Personal invitation
• Compelling message
• Relationship-oriented
• Targeted in terms of message & media
• Customized roles
Recruitment:
Targeted Strategies
The Recruitment Plan Worksheet
Recruitment:
Targeted Strategies
• Personal invitation
• Other volunteers or staffConnected
Enthusiastic
Satisfied
Articulate
Recruitment: Targeted Strategies
Relationship-oriented: The Constituency Model
Major Donors, Board, Management
Clients, Volunteers, Employees, General Donors
Former Board, Participants, FormerEmployees
Individuals with Similar Interests
The Universe
Targeting volunteer prospects:
Identify segmentsDefine characteristics and motives for each segmentIdentify how to reach each segmentDevelop compelling messages/ benefits
Recruitment: Targeted Strategies
Recruitment: Targeted Strategies
SEGMENT CHARACTERISTICS/ MOTIVES
METHODS MESSAGE/BENEFITS
Students Meet school requirements
Works with schedule
Work with other students
Onsite at school
Electronic media; Website
Youthful look to invite
Social/ fun
Working adults
Works with schedule
Meets recreational, social needs while helping others
Personal invitation
Help the community as only you can help
How do you reach them?
United Way Volunteer Center
Professional/ social networks
Other postings
Recruitment: Targeted Strategies
Volunteer Center of the United Way of Northwest Michigan
www.startherestaynear.com
Recruitment: Targeted Strategies
Which is the most effective method to recruit volunteers?
Which is the most cost-effective method?
LADDER OF EFFECTIVENESS
Personal: face-to-face Personal letter (on personal stationary) With telephone follow-up Without telephone follow-up Recruitment events Personal telephone With letter follow-up Without letter follow-up Personalized letter-Internet Impersonal letter/ direct mail/ Internet News media/advertising
Recruitment
Compelling message includes 4 elements
The statement of need. (The need of clients, not of the agency!)
How the volunteer can uniquely help
Position requirements
Benefits of the position to the volunteer
Recruitment: Targeted Strategies
Statement of client needThey have gloves, bats and softballs, but no coach. Seventy-five mentally-challenged boys and girls are waiting for a coach.
How to helpDon’t let them strike out.Join our Special Olympics Team! Call 1-800-Gold today!
BenefitsYou’ll never feel more appreciated (and you’ll get some exercise, too!).
Recruitment: Targeted strategies
Sample Recruitment Message
Many elderly in our community live lonely stretches without a Many elderly in our community live lonely stretches without a warm smile or embrace. Your family could volunteer to “adopt” warm smile or embrace. Your family could volunteer to “adopt” one of these senior residents. The members of your family will one of these senior residents. The members of your family will experience some rare quality time together experience some rare quality time together while giving someone’s grandma or grandpa a real lift.while giving someone’s grandma or grandpa a real lift.
Recruitment: Targeted Strategies
Begin with effective volunteer recruitment and a good interview.
The needs of the organization & the needs of the volunteer must be met simultaneously.
Demand creative thinking.
Must be honest, fair, and sincere.
Volunteer RetentionWhy do volunteers leave?
The volunteer role must be based on a real need.
Treat the volunteer as a valued member of your team.
Trained, equipped supervisors are essential.
Orient and prepare the volunteer for the role.
.
Volunteer RetentionWhy do volunteers leave?
Informal recognition
Recognition should be meaningful to the individual
Ongoing monitoring of satisfaction & fit
How do we say thank you on a day-to-day basis?
Give recognition as soon as possible after task is completed
Volunteer Retention
Formal recognition
• Events• Correspondence• Gifts/ rewards
Caution!• Impersonal• May be viewed as insincere• Costly• Shouldn’t replace day-to-day thank you
Volunteer Retention
Volunteer Center of the United Way of Northwest Michigan
www.startherestaynear.com
What Questions Do You Have?
Volunteer Center of the United Way of Northwest Michigan
www.startherestaynear.com
NorthSky Resource Centerwww.northskynonprofitnetwork.org
Casting a Wider Net:Responding to New Volunteer Demographics
Trainer: Pamela Evans
Thank You
Contact NorthSky at:231.929.3934
• Presented by: