Innovation & Collaboration: Boosting Volunteer Numbers...

Innovation & Collaboration: Boosting Volunteer Numbers

Through Community Partnerships

Sarab KhalsaVolunteer & Advocacy Services

CoordinatorSASO Durango

Dr. Natasha TidwellFort Lewis College

Durango, CO

Objectives

• Describe SASO’s applicable experiences in forming innovative professional

relationships and engaging with community resources.

• Discuss the challenges and successes of a collaborative partnership.

• Explore strategies for applying collaborative partnerships within your

organization.

About SASO

• SASO: Sexual Assault Services Organization

• SASO was established in the Durango community in 1977.

• Since 1977, SASO has continued to expand and create outreach programs to serve the community.

Hotline Training Program

Prevention Education Programs

Cultural Outreach Connections

What is your organization like?

• What is your name?

• What is the name of your non profit (if applicable)?

• What is your position at your agency?

• Where are you located?

• What services do you provide?

• Do you have volunteers? If so, how many?

Go around the room and answer each question about

yourself.

What is a collaborative partnership?

“Collaborative partnerships are agreements and

actions made by consenting organizations to share

resources to accomplish a mutual goal.

Collaborative partnerships rely on participation by at

least two parties who agree to share resources,

such as finances, knowledge, and people.”

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collaborative_partnership

What can you do with a collaborative partnership?

• Create new outreach or educational programs

• Create public awareness events

• Use each other as a resource

• Promote each other's services

• Exchange policies and protocol

Forming Relationships and Partnerships

• Collaborative partnerships don’t happen overnight!

Time

Patience

Effort

Research

Mutual commitment

Communication

Exposure

• Multiple partnership types:

Exchange of services; no impact on volunteer numbers

Indirectly results in obtaining volunteers

Directly results in obtaining volunteers

SASO’s Collaborative Community Engagements

SASO’s Collaborative Partnership Example

How can I do this in my community?• Researching and Networking

Local businesses in your community

Organizations in your community

Community members looking to volunteer

Businesses that give incentive for employees to volunteer

• Exposure Show the community what important services you can provide

• Effort Put effort into creating professional partnerships

• Communication Communicate what you can or cannot do

Communicate your needs

Talk with others on how to make a difference in your community together

• Appreciation Thanking those who have helped you is essential

Outreach Opportunities

• Job fairs (Indirectly obtain volunteers)

• Local businesses (All of the above)

• Non-profits (Exchange of services)

• Colleges or community colleges (Directly obtain volunteers)

• Churches (Directly obtain volunteers)

• Community awareness events (Indirectly obtain volunteers)

• Businesses that offer incentives for employees to volunteer (Directly obtain volunteers)

Who are some potential partners in YOUR community?

How will they benefit you and how will you benefit them?

Pair up with a person near you to discuss

your ideas!

Successes of a Collaborative Partnership

• Receive support from your community

• Expand your audience for volunteer recruitment

• Gain professional relationships that can lead to connections within or even beyond your community

• Raise awareness and funds for your services

What are some events or programs you

might be interested in creating with a

community partner?

What are some potential positive

outcomes?

Think big and get creative! Be specific!

Pair up with a person near you to discuss

your ideas!

Challenges of a Collaborative Partnership

• Challenges are unique to every partnership

• Lack of staff, resources, time and energy

• Rushing or impatience on outcomes of a collaborative partnership

• Poor time management

• Not setting clear expectations

Ideas on Dealing with Challenges

It is important to remember:

• Check in and evaluate what is working and what isn’t

• Trial and Error: Learn from mistakes

• Brainstorm ways to do better next time

• Be flexible, and evaluate what resources you have

What are some roadblocks to the potential

partnership(s) you’ve identified so far?

Provide feedback to one another on how

you could navigate issues.

Pair up with a person near you to discuss

your ideas!

A Note on Retaining Volunteers

• Recruiting and retaining volunteers are two different tasks!

• Recruiting

Placing volunteer opportunity

Ads in the paper

Placing Ads at the radio

station

Presenting on services and

volunteer opportunities

Place flyers everywhere

• Retaining

Appreciation

Checking in with

volunteers

Interest in their lives and

goals

Relationship building

Clear expectations

Pair up with a person near you to discuss

your ideas!

What does your organization do to foster good working relationships with

volunteers?

How might you extend these techniques to organizational partners?

Takeaway Ideas

• Community partnerships are a great way to increase your organization’s impact on your community.

• Forming strong relationships with other organizations takes time to initiate AND continue but can be mutually beneficial.

• Creative collaborations can boost volunteer numbers, community exposure, and awareness of important issues.

Final reflection: how might these ideas work for your organization in practice?

Identify 3 specific, actionable steps you can take to develop a mutually beneficial

partnership.

Pair up with a person near you to discuss

your ideas!

Questions?

Thank you!

Email: durangosaso@durangosaso.org

Phone: 970-259-3074

Website: www.durangosaso.org

Address: 701 Camino Del Rio, Durango,

CO 81301