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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: [email protected]
Phone: 970-259-3074
Website: www.durangosaso.org
Address: 701 Camino Del Rio, Durango,
CO 81301
