Of course, once you find great volunteers, you probably want to keep them! Thanks so much for sharing these are great tips for finding volunteers! Volunteers are invaluable to nonprofits so making sure they feel valued and appreciated in return is so important. Engaging with volunteers and getting feedback on their experiences and how they want to help is a good way to find and retain great volunteers as well.
But it can be done. Share your great volunteer opportunities everywhere. Specify the Jobs and Skills Needed. In your Volunteer Position Description, be sure to outline: The types of activities volunteers will be doing. Expectations and desired result of activities. The amount of time they are committing to i. The skills you need them to possess.
Requirement and restrictions, like background checks, age limits, and waivers to be signed. Make it a win-win. Focus on things like: Engaging in fun, meaningful experiences. Making a difference in the community. Meeting new people. Helping others in need by using skills and talents. Supporting something they believe in. Give them a great experience.
Here are some tips: Offer a hassle-free application process. Provide clear instructions about completing the application. More companies are incorporating volunteerism programs into their business model. So why not reach out to local employers, especially those with employee volunteer requirements, for your next event?
To reach out to prospective partners, you may consider writing a letter to request volunteers for your upcoming events. Your message should communicate more than the simple fact that you need volunteers for events that support your cause.
In your letter, you should let companies know how they can benefit from a partnership, what your cause means to the community you share, and how your organizations can accomplish more together. You can use this outline to create a letter requesting volunteers for your next event. Check out this article for more on the benefits of corporate partnerships.
The same goes for teams and groups of families and corporate partners. Simple team registration means that volunteers can sign-up together for the event directly through your website, saving time and reducing unnecessary back-and-forth. After entering just a few pieces of key information, teams should be registered immediately and their spots reserved.
Request the contact information of a team leader, so you can easily identify and reach out to a point person to quickly communicate need-to-know information. Preparation is key to smooth sailing on event-day. Plus, your event volunteers are more likely to participate again if they have a positive experience the first time they volunteer with your organization. When listing your opportunities, include the job you want them to do and a brief description. This allows event volunteers to match themselves to the right opportunities.
After volunteers have registered for your event, follow up with an email to confirm registration and thank volunteers for their interest. Send a reminder several days before with the date and time of the event. Specify logistical information so that volunteers feel prepared.
We recommend including the following information:. You may also want to attach brief yet insightful literature about your cause so that volunteers are engaged before they even arrive. A check-in system at each event will help you keep track of volunteer attendance. A well-organized event will minimize stress on volunteers at events , ensuring that they have a positive experience. Bolster your recruitment efforts with better volunteer engagement.
Now that you know how to get volunteers for an event , you can set yourself up for success for the next event. Wrap up each event by gathering your volunteers to thank them for their hard work. Talk about everything you were able to accomplish as a team, and how valuable their volunteer efforts were. Follow up with a sincere thank-you email. Your organization relies on the benevolent efforts of your event volunteers.
We hope that these 8 strategies will help get all the helping hands you need to make your next event a success. Join thousands of Volunteer Management Pros in getting exclusive resources to help you save time and make the biggest impact. Learn More. Volunteer Management.
Likewise, if you need special experience, make that clear. Getting specific also helps to get around any mistaken ideas about volunteering that people may have. Specifics paint a clearer picture. Why should someone give their time to your organization? Instead, focus on what volunteers gain by giving their time. Things like:. Have you tried to sign up to volunteer for your organization?
Is it easy? Are there clear steps to take? Are the people you encounter friendly and helpful? It sounds dramatic, but it really does happen. Some volunteers will be ready to take on a part-time job level of volunteering, while others will be looking for something to do once a month, or a couple times a year. Maximize the number of volunteers you can appeal to by providing opportunities to help out at different levels of commitment.
Grey2K, a national organization dedicated to ending greyhound racing, gives several options for ways to get involved. Some, like organizing a rally, are a large undertaking. Others, like hosting an outreach table, are less of a commitment.
They even give the option of sharing posts on social media—a very low commitment, but still a big help. Peer-to-peer fundraising is another great way for volunteers to get involved with your organization.
Raising money to support your cause can be done on their own schedules, within their own networks, while still connecting to your organization. Raising money can also offer volunteers a very tangible way to see the impact of their help. Make it clear in your volunteer content that you have opportunities for different levels of commitment. This helps people understand that they can be as involved as they want to be. If someone has a positive experience doing a small volunteer assignment for your organization, they may consider getting more involved in the future.
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