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Casting a Wider Net:Recruiting a High Functioning Volunteer Team
© Copyright 2012, NorthSky Nonprofit Network. All rights reserved.
Presented by:
• Introductions• The new volunteer demographic• The seven deadly sins• Recruitment approaches• What works & doesn’t work • Targeted recruitment strategies• A systematic approach• Interviewing and selection
Workshop Agenda
Think about the last time you volunteered
• Why?
• What was important to you before you would agree?
• What went well?
• What didn’t go so well?
• 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
• 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
Success factors for the New Volunteer
• Expect Announcements to Get Volunteers • Go it Alone• Recruit Life-time Individuals—Not Short-term
Project Teams • Assume That "No" Means "Never" • Fall Into the BIC Trap • Be People Driven Rather Than Position Driven • Give the Position the Wrong Job Title
The Seven Deadly Sins of Volunteer Recruitment
Passive Approach
• “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
Large Number of Volunteers for Short Period
• Distribution of brochures • Posters • Speaking to groups • Notices in appropriate media• Post on Facebook/ website • Word of Mouth
Warm Body ApproachRecruitment Approaches
Volunteers with Specific or Not Commonly Found Skills
• What do we need? • Who could provide this? • How can we communicate with them? • What would motivate them?
Targeted ApproachRecruitment Approaches
Targets individuals with a connection to your organization
• Your clients, their families and relatives• Alumni of your program/s• Friends of your current volunteers and staff• People in your organization's neighborhood • People affected by your work• Donors• Volunteers of partner organizations/ related organizations
Concentric Circles ApproachRecruitment Approaches
Concentric Circles Recruitment: Targeted Strategies
Relationship-oriented: Concentric Circles- who knows who?
Major Donors, Board, Management
Clients, Volunteers, Employees, General Donors, Partners
Former Board, Participants, FormerEmployees
Individuals with Similar Interests
The Universe
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:
The Discussion
• Make it personal/ Don’t confuse publicity with recruitment
• Be clear about what you want him/her to do• Be honest about what you need• Define the training, supervision and support • Ask questions/ learn their motivations• Communicate the positives about the position and how
it meets their needs• Explain why you are specifically interested in them• Don’t ask them for a “favor”• Finally – just ask them to help
Targeting volunteer prospects:
• Identify segments• Define characteristics and motives for each segment• Identify how to reach each segment• Develop compelling messages/ benefits
Recruitment: Targeted Strategies
Recruitment: Targeted Strategies
SEGMENT CHARACTERISTICS/ MOTIVES METHODS MESSAGE/BENEFITS
Students Meet school requirementsWorks with scheduleWork with other students
Onsite at schoolElectronic media; Website
Youthful look to invitationSocial/ fun
Working adults
Works with scheduleMeets recreational, social needs while helping others
Personal invitation
Help the community as only you can help
Stay at home Moms
Works with scheduleGet out of the houseKeep job skills sharpMake contact/ network
Personal invitation
Use your unique skills
Recruitment: Targeted Strategies
Which is the most effective method to recruit volunteers?
Which is the most cost-effective method?
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 warm smile or embrace. Your family could volunteer to “adopt” one of these senior residents. The members of your family will experience some rare quality time together while giving someone’s grandma or grandpa a real lift.
Recruitment: Targeted Strategies
Traverse City Film Festivalhttp://www.stayinglegalmi.org/main_page.html
Grand Traverse Land ConservancyGrand Traverse Land Conservancy http://www.gtrlc.org/
Benzie Area Christian Neighborshttp://www.benziebacn.org/
Let’s check out what others are doing
•Why are you interested in volunteering here?
•Tell me about yourself?
•Tell me about your experience working with people
•Give me an example of a project you had to organize
•Walk me through the process of…
•Would you be willing to…
The Interview: ask open-ended questions
Are they looking for a social opportunity versus a solitary one?
Will they be a good representative of your organization?
Do they understand what you need? Can they fulfill the commitment?
What else?
Look for
Age Religion
Race Disabilities
Marital status National origin
Childcare issues Names and addresses of relatives
Anything that does not directly relate to the ability to perform the specific job
Don’t ask
Some additional resourcesEnergize Inchttp://www.energizeinc.com/art/subj/recruit.html
About. comhttp://nonprofit.about.com/lr/volunteer_management/600605/1
Michigan State Policehttp://michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7-123-1589_1878---,00.html
Staying Legal – Michigan Nonprofit Associationhttp://www.stayinglegalmi.org/main_page.html
What Questions Do You Have?
NorthSky Resource Centerwww.northskynonprofitnetwork.org
