"Recruitment is a constant, year-round process of keeping your organization's name and its available volunteer

opportunities in front of people."

The Volunteer Recruitment Book, Susan Ellis

Volunteer RecruitmentVolunteer Recruitment

Why People VolunteerWhy People Volunteer

Number one reason Number one reason people volunteer is people volunteer is because someone asked because someone asked them to volunteer.them to volunteer.

Second reason was Second reason was volunteering through an volunteering through an organization. organization.

Independent SectorIndependent Sector

Trends in VolunteeringTrends in Volunteering Teens and college students; Corporations, especially if family volunteering is

promoted; Church members; Seniors Virtual volunteering, posting on the Internet and by

e-mail Episodic or short-term volunteering is a favorite

method to getting involved but not making a long-term commitment.

Making a Difference for a Volunteer

Making a Difference for a Volunteer

Smile Plan ceremonial occasions Recognize personal needs and problems Be pleasant Keep challenging them Send a thank-you card to the volunteer’s family Give additional responsibility Take time to talk Write them thank you notes Nominate for volunteer awards

Making a Difference for a Volunteer

Making a Difference for a Volunteer

Offer incentives Promote a “Volunteer-of-the-Month” program Send letter of appreciation to employer Send commendatory letters to prominent public

figures Say “we missed you” Promote smiles Award special citations for extraordinary

achievements Say “Thank you” Smile

Volunteer Gift BagVolunteer Gift Bag"Thank You Kit" - The items listed below were placed

in a zip-lock baggie along with a copy of the card. A TEA BAG because you are so "tea-riffic"! AN ERASER to let you know that your caring

cannot be undone! A MINT to thank you for your "commit-mint"! A PUZZLE PIECE to remind you that we are not

complete without you! A SUGAR PACKET to remind you that we think

you're "sweet"! A CRAYON to remind you that you have left a mark! A KISS to share with someone else! RAISINS because you're 'raisin' awareness!

Caring Kit Caring Kit In a bag place the following items along with a card detailing the

contents: Paper Clips: Paper clips have many uses, just like each volunteer has

many talents. Paper clips are also used to hold the program together and provide guidance.

Rubber Bands: Rubber bands represent the flexibility that all volunteers need to have. You can adapt to any different situation. As volunteers, you can also stretch your own abilities to have new opportunities.

Band Aids: Band aids help others and are sensitive to others feelings, just as volunteers have to be keyed-in to the feelings of those they work with.

Coin: This coin represents a quarter to call and ask for help and to remind you that you are not alone.

Paper Bill: This money calculates the contribution that volunteers make to the program through their donation of time.

Balloon: This balloon expands and grows as you learn from others. Heart Sticker: This heart represents the ability to reach out. Mint: This mint represents the fact that each of you is worth a mint.

You are very special and really make a difference. Lifesavers: Lifesavers represent the special contribution to the

program that each of you makes and emphasized that each of us are unique and different just like the rainbow color of lifesavers and that there is a place for everyone.

Hershey Kiss: This kiss represents a big thank-you from the many kids whose lives you have touched over the years.

Spirit KitSpirit KitIn a Zip-Lock Bag place all the items and the card with the details:

1. A soft fuzzy cotton ball to rub when you need to remember the gentleness of the human heart.

2. A rubber band to remind you that you are flexible and can stretch to fit just about any demand or challenge.

3. A band-aid to remind you that, even though there may be times when you feel hurt for what you are trying to do, you will heal and be even stronger.

4. Two tissues, one for you and one for a colleague when you have faced a tough time together and need some mutual support.

5. A safety pin to remind you that you are bright and sharp and utterly indispensable.

6. Five pennies to remind you of the song by Danny Kaye called "Five Little Pennies". If you know the song, you will remember that one penny was to dream on, one was to wish on, one was for dancing, one was to love on. The song ends with these words, "There's just five little pennies, but with these five pennies you'll be a millionaire". How very true!

7. A balloon to celebrate your accomplishments!8. And last but not least, Hershey's Hugs and Kisses - for when you need

them! Submitted by Elliott Pitts, Coordinator of Wish Granting and Volunteers , Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine

Volunteers, You Rock!Volunteers, You Rock! Host a 50's themed Host a 50's themed Rockin' Volunteer BashRockin' Volunteer Bash Wear 50's style clothing.Wear 50's style clothing. Staff on roller skates with record-style trays full Staff on roller skates with record-style trays full

of bazooka gum and red licorice. of bazooka gum and red licorice. Music from the 50's played behind an inflatable Music from the 50's played behind an inflatable

juke box. juke box. Records hung from ceiling, tables covered with Records hung from ceiling, tables covered with

black and white checkered tablecloths, black and white checkered tablecloths, centerpiece of a cut-out couple dancing on centerpiece of a cut-out couple dancing on records. records.

Served In-N-Out Burgers, fruit salad, macaroni Served In-N-Out Burgers, fruit salad, macaroni and cheese, chips and brownies. and cheese, chips and brownies.

Soda shop served rootbeer floats and Soda shop served rootbeer floats and refreshments. refreshments. Submitted by Jessica Richter,Submitted by Jessica Richter,www.nclifeline.orgwww.nclifeline.org

Hats off to VolunteersHats off to Volunteers

Staff came wearing outrageous hats of all kinds Potted plants as centerpieces were in hats. Everyone made newspaper hats – designed by a

group. Volunteers met and worked with all sorts of new people, decorated the hats with flowers and balloons and whatever else they could find and had so much fun.

Submitted by Catherine Graham, Volunteer Services Manager, IHS, The Institute for Human Services

Volunteer Christmas TreeVolunteer Christmas Tree

We took a picture of each one of our 200 volunteers and scrapbooked the pictures onto a 3" x 6" strip of stiff paper. We punched holes at the top for string and hung them on the tree.

The tree was displayed in the main lobby of our facility for the Christmas season. It drew a LOT of attention and was quite the conversation piece.

Take pictures all year so you are ready.

Submitted by Nita Dueck

Chocolate BarsChocolate Bars

I sent all our volunteers a chocolate bar in I sent all our volunteers a chocolate bar in the mail during April Volunteer Appreciation the mail during April Volunteer Appreciation week with a special card telling them all the week with a special card telling them all the scientific reasons why chocolate is good for scientific reasons why chocolate is good for you, plus a funny list all about chocolate I you, plus a funny list all about chocolate I found on the Internet. This way even the found on the Internet. This way even the volunteers who never come to events volunteers who never come to events received a treat, and they were surprised received a treat, and they were surprised and thrilled.and thrilled.Submitted by Linda Sunderland, Coordinator of Volunteers and Education, Hospice Peterborough

Chocolate Good For YouChocolate Good For You Contains several nutrients, including potassium, iron and calcium and

vitamins A1, B1, B2, C, D, and E. Contains magnesium and magnesium deficiency has been linked to heart

disease, hypertension, diabetes, and joint problems. Cocoa contains antibacterial agents that, believe it or not, fight tooth

decay. Contains tryptophan, an amino acid that raises the serotonin levels in the

brain, a natural stress reliever and anti-depressant. Serotonin can also help decrease your appetite, lessoning your cravings for sweet and starchy foods.

Endorphins, a natural pain reducer and mood elevator, are released by the brain to help you deal with pain.

The cocoa butter in chocolate contains a mono-unsaturated fat called oleic acid, which could help to raise your "good cholesterol" levels and has been found to have no effect on "bad cholesterol," meaning it will neither increase nor decrease it.

Could help increase antioxidant levels in your blood. Antioxidants help prevent heart disease, and help fight against cancer-causing cells.

Plain dark chocolate contains 70% cocoa solids has the most health benefits.

A Penny SavedA Penny Saved

Present your winning volunteer with a clear flower vase or clear container tied with a ribbon and containing 1 penny for each hour volunteers. It's amazing how much longer 1000 hours seems when you look at it this way. If the volunteer doesn't want to keep the pennies, it might be a nice gesture to donate that amount of money to a charity of the volunteer's choosing in his or her name.

Submitted by Jessica Brown, Tourism Sales Manager, Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau

Gift IdeasGift Ideas Candle - Present a candle with a card saying "you

light the way" or " no one can hold a candle to you" Ruler/Tape measure - It's easy to measure the

difference you've made in our group- you're amazing! Clock - Thanks for the time you've given to our group! Group's logo Hat - Our hats are off to you! Thanks for

all you do! Shirt- We know you'd give the shirt off you back... so

here's an extra one for the next time you give your all. Toaster - A Toast to a super volunteer! Whenever

you use this toaster, remember to toast yourself, too! Plant - We grow luckier every day you're with us.

Gift IdeasGift Ideas Light bulbs - You light the way, thanks for your

glowing enthusiasm Permanent marker - You've made a lasting and

permanent contribution to you group Lucky Charm cereal - We're so LUCKY to have you! 100 Grand candy bars - Volunteers are priceless. Payday candy bar - "Volunteers don't receive a salary

b/c they're worthless... it's b/c they're priceless!" Gold chocolate coins- Volunteers are worth their

weight in gold. Andes mints/ peppermint patties - Your service is

worth a mint to us!

V aluable is the work you do.

O utstanding is how you always come through.

L oyal, sincere and full of good cheer,

U ntiring in your efforts throughout the year.

N otable are the contributions you make.

T rustworthy in every project you take.

E ager to reach your every goal.

E ffective in the way you fulfill your role.

R eady with a smile like a shining star,

S pecial and wonderful—that’s what you are.