the decision to volunteer and the developing of human potential: the importance of proper volunteer...
TRANSCRIPT
THE DECISION TO VOLUNTEER AND THE DEVELOPING OF HUMAN
POTENTIAL: THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER
VOLUNTEER RECRUITING, ORIENTATION, AND MOTIVATION
Presented by:Stephanie Glyptis (Director, A&WMA)April 4,2014
Calling a Few Good Volunteers . . .
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Volunteers have a lot of Choice
1.5 million nonprofit organizations are registered in the United States Including trade, cultural, scientific, engineering,
and technical, federations, educational, social welfare, and chambers of commerce
Canada’s nonprofit and voluntary sector is the 2nd largest in the world – 54% of the nonprofits and charities run entirely by volunteers
The Evolution of Associations
People join together to satisfy basic needs for food, shelter, and to communicate and share This cohesion develops new ideas, inventions and
principles, and creates institutions such as government, schools, and churches
Trade associations and professional societies evolve for the same reasons They enable people in the same business to
freely share ideas and experiences
The constant throughout the evolution of associations The value of volunteerism to a healthy organization
What Makes Us Successful?
An Association’s legacy of success comes down to one
thing ~committed, active volunteers acting in the best interests of the members, the profession,
and the association
The Decision to Volunteer
The #1 reason why people volunteer is because they are asked.
The #1 reason why they continue to volunteer is because their needs are met.
The ability of volunteers and volunteer organizations to thrive is not a question of numbers of volunteers It is about effective management of volunteers
through thoughtful recruiting, selection, and motivation
Associations are groups of people who voluntarily come together for
a common cause
It is this aspect of the association that most differentiates it from public or for-profit institutions
The volunteer portion does not have to do anything it does not want to do
The traditional concepts of motivation, as they apply in the typical workplace, do not apply
Motivation
Traditional motivation theory uses extrinsic reward If you do your job you will be rewarded
If you do not do your job you will be penalized
The ManagementMotivation Equation
Inputs Performance Outcomes
EffortTimeExperienceSkillsKnowledge
Quantity of workQuality of workLevel of Customer Service
PayJob securityVacationJob SatisfactionPromotionPleasure
Why Do People Volunteer?
Volunteers are individuals with unique feelings, motives, and ambitions.
In return for volunteer input, they will have a chance to: Contribute to a worthwhile cause Gain some level of recognition for their work Socialize and have fun Enhance skills or develop new skills
Getting others to serve in leadership roles means: Understanding each person’s unique need to serve, and Understanding what they expect in return for their service
No matter what “job” people have, if they stop getting “paid” (the motivation of their intrinsic paycheck) they will eventually stop coming to “work”
Feels Under-rewarded and Under-valued
What is Motivation?
The forces acting on or within a person that cause the person to behave in a specific, goal-oriented manner
What Does Motivation Feel Like?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6wRkzCW5qI
Make participation worthwhile . . . build it so they will keep coming back
HOW?
Identify the type of individual or group (skills, knowledge) that you need for the specific outcomes for each position Calling anyone with a pulse??? The better the match, the more likely you are to
have a win-win situation, in which the volunteer feels valued and encouraged while the organization's needs are met as well.
Make the effort to create a volunteer position description.
Build it so they will come . . . back
Set specific expectations Know and clarify the outcome required for
you and the volunteer at the start
There is nothing more de-motivating than being unsure if you are achieving what is required
Critical to have clarity regarding the needs and desired outcomes of both parties
Build it so they will come . . . back Don’t minimize the time
requirements
Let your volunteers know up front exactly what is involved in their tasks and what is expected of them, and they will appreciate you for it. Tell it like it is.
Build it so they will come . . . back
Communicate training and support available A trained volunteer is an effective volunteer
Recruiting volunteers is only half the challenge. You must properly train them so they will work out to be true assets.
Make sure volunteers understand our organization and the important role they play in the bigger picture
On-going training and regular two-way communication helps volunteers stay motivated all the way through the project
Solicit feedback on the task after it is completed?
Build it so they will come . . . back
Ask the identified individual or group to accept the position The top reason given by those who had not volunteered
was that no one had asked them
Consider providing a simple contract that both you and the volunteer sign, including agreements on what each of you will do to support the volunteer position, the standards and principles, and the benefits created by the position.
Create a bias for action and a structure for success Establish a clear vision, set achievable, focused goals, use
meetings for action items, regularly evaluate progress, celebrate results, and promote based on accomplishment
Build it so they will come . . . back
Destroy cliques Greet members and visitors at the door
Assign board members to contact members within the section/chapter
Seat board members at different tables throughout the group
Profile new members in publications
Ask people to volunteer at joining
Build it so they will come . . . back Communicate to connect
Offer regular positive feedback – it’s FREE and doesn’t cost a thing
Keep your volunteers informed – they are your workforceThey should be regularly updated on what
the greater organization is doingA monthly newsletter targeting volunteers
can keep them informed of accomplishments, changes, program status, updates on the key organizational performance indicators
Build it so they will come . . . back
Be sure to RECOGNIZE and THANK your volunteers
People like being appreciated. Appreciated volunteers are more likely to continue to serve.
Recognition should be commensurate to what the volunteer has achieved – it must be earned. False praise can be counter-productive and offensive.
Formal recognition –banquets, annual meetings, annual reports, newsletters, and website. Use their photos.
Informal recognition – acts of kindness, invitations to events, small gifts. Let their boss or partner know how valuable they have been.
Build it so they will come . . . back
Don’t punish good performance This occurs when the volunteer who performs
very well is rewarded with more work
Spread the love
Grow leaders at every level Make leader development a goal
Hold volunteer leadership development sessions
Establish mentor programs
Build it so they will come . . . back
Be genuine, and passionate about the organization and the mission Sincerity succeeds over technique anytime
Paint a positive picture. Prospective members are drawn to the energy, focus, and enthusiasm being created by engaged volunteers.
And, Most Importantly Keep Smiling, Be Enthusiastic, and Have Fun!!!