Volunteer Management Newsletter Part 1 and Part 2
Weeds or Trees!
6 Ideas on Volunteer Recruitment
for the Environment
Here's more volunteer recruiting ideas requested by Eve Woolmore, NRM Facilitator, King Island, Tasmania...
Eve wants to recruit 5 more volunteers to remove weeds from the natural environment for 2 hours per week. Here's what Eve wrote...
The overall number of volunteers in our weed group are 10 with varying attendance. I decided on 5 new volunteers as it seemed an achievable number, and that number would make a great difference to our work. Usually we recruit interested people, and ring people we think may be interested. Posters around town and other promotions have not drawn any new volunteers.
We have 3 core volunteers, while others that have been involved have participated for a month or just once or twice, and didn't make it again. We have a population of about 1700, and as usual it's always the same people who hold the voluntary positions in various organisations.
Hope this helps you to help us!
Cheers
Eve
Ok Eve, let's add 6 volunteer recruitment ideas for you and others in volunteer management to think about!
Blast From The Past
Let's start in the past! What about those volunteers that came for a month or just once or twice and never returned. Contact them and find out why they have not come back. If objectively asked, then their responses can provide the 'keys' on to how to retain volunteers longer in this project. Always follow-up on volunteers who stay only a short time and find out how to bring them back or what they suggest to retain future volunteers.
Planting Trees Not Pulling Weeds
Here's an interesting comment from a participant at my recent workshop with volunteer management facilitators.
"Most people do not volunteer to pull weeds they volunteer to plant trees".
So with all 'passive' volunteer recruitment material (e.g., brochures, flyers, etc) and when asking people to volunteer for this project - begin by selling the obvious positive. Although volunteers will be doing both activities, start with PLANTING TREES and then pulling weeds.
Tick Tock - Watch the Clock
Can we rearrange the clock? Rather than 2 hours per week can the time commitment asked of volunteers be more creative? How about 4 hours per fortnight (an afternoon or morning session)? Or 1 day per month? Greater time flexibility might allow people to volunteer who cannot make a weekly commitment but could assist on a monthly basis.
All In Together
Another idea for those in volunteer management. Can volunteers on this project combine with volunteers from a completely different project and occasionally 'pool' their resources? For example, could volunteers from a sporting group in their off-season, join in for a weekend of planting trees and pulling weeds. In exchange the volunteers in Eve's project would help out with the annual fundraising event the sporting club may run during their on-season.
Hello Tourist
Environmental (environ) volunteering is increasing in popularity with the tourist market. Many tourists are looking beyond the usual tourist sites for new experiences. These people would enjoy spending a day, a weekend or even a week communing with nature, meeting the locals, keeping fit and volunteering to help the environment at the same time. And they pay their own way to do it. There are numerous ways to tap into this potential volunteering market and it is really only limited by your imagination.
Family Volunteering
The family that volunteers together stays together! Family volunteering is a growth area. Because many people feel that have only limited time to spare, if they have to choose between time volunteering or spending time with their family, they will choose their family. But what if you can do both? This type of volunteering provides an ideal opportunity for the whole family to do something together - parents, children, grandparents and other family members. It might not be a weekly event but a monthly family outing could be a wonderful 'bonding' experience for all - what a great volunteer recruitment idea!
As always these volunteer managment and volunteer recruitment ideas are aimed at getting both Eve's and your creative juices flowing so you can add even more ideas that will work for YOU!
Enjoy!
Judy
Dr Judy Esmond is the leading expert on how to gain, sustain and retain volunteers and members. Join up and receive FREE membership to her 'Ultimate Ideas' Mastermind Group and get the FREE E-Book and newsletter filled with 100s of ideas on volunteer management, volunteer recruitment, retention and volunteer recognition at www.morevolunteers.com
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