Recruiting Volunteers, Volunteer Management and Recognition Ideas
Ultimate Ideas Newsletter
How to lead, recruit and retain more volunteers and members!
Issue 24
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Welcome everyone. We've got a very special announcement for you in this newsletter and more great volunteer recruitment and volunteer management ideas.
Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest.
Mark Twain
There is one thing stronger than all the armies of the world, and that is an idea whose time has come.
Victor Hugo
In our E-book Beyond Just Words! 502 Inspirational Quotes for Those Who Serve |
We Interrupt This Newsletter for a Very  Special Announcement!
For over a decade now, we've dedicated ourselves to bringing you new, innovative and practical ideas all aimed at ensuring even greater success for you, your organization and your volunteer programs. Yet, all of our books, research reports, workshops and newsletters are just the ‘tip of the iceberg’ of what we have been working on 'behind the scenes' and what we’re about to share with you.
Very soon we will be releasing an opportunity for you to become part of an exciting new membership club. For a very affordable monthly fee our new club members are going to receive benefits that will:
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Go beyond our ‘quick read’ Ultimate Ideas Newsletter and share even more in-depth ideas with those of you around the world we may never have the chance to work closely with. |
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Show you the very best strategies to increase the success and effectiveness of your volunteer program management using 'real life' examples from the field. |
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Provide on-going support and coaching, so you can maintain your momentum in planning and implementing new ideas and strategies. |
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Bring you powerful insights into the latest thinking from the leading experts in their fields that we have the privilege to know and work with, both in for-profit and non-profit sectors. |
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Answer your most pressing questions and provide solutions to your biggest problems and challenges. |
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Give you all this from the comfort of your computer and in a learning format that respects how busy your life is and how limited your time. |
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Be packed with other great member bonuses and exceptional value for money just for you. And that's just the beginning...
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The doors to the membership club are opening soon.
Very shortly, we will be opening the doors to our first intake for this amazing membership club. We know it's going to be very popular! But we want to ensure that we give great service and everyone is satisfied - so we're capping the numbers in our first intake. When we reach our quota, we'll be closing the doors until further notice.
As a valued newsletter subscriber, we want you to be the first to know. We want to give you a 'head start' to consider joining and be at the front of the queue before it's released to the general community.
We invite you to register your interest now!
Simply fill in your name and email address below and we'll make sure that you'll receive an 'advance offer' to this amazing membership club. You are under no obligation to join, we just wanted to make sure you are the first to know.
When filling in your name - please leave one space between your first and last name.
We absolutely respect your right to privacy and will not sell, rent or share your name,
email address or other details with anyone. |
Now here's some 'quick read' ideas for you...
10 Ideas on the Power of First Impressions in Volunteer Recruitment and Recognition
In the first four minutes of meeting someone we gain a first impression that can last a lifetime. When someone has made the decision to join up and volunteer with you - what are their first impressions? You really only get one chance to make a good impression! Here's 10 quick ideas on the power of a stunning first impression for new volunteers.
First impressions count in volunteer recruitment and retention
First impressions can make or break the volunteering experience. Make no mistake – the first few contact days are crucial for a new volunteer deciding whether to stay with you or stay away. Aspire to make your new volunteers immediately feel a sense of inclusiveness, connectedness and belonging. The sooner a volunteer feels like they belong, the longer they are retained and feel recognized.
Have I made the right decision?
Can you still remember your first day at your first job? Most people can and still feel the same emotions when recalling it years afterwards. When your new volunteers or members ask themselves two questions, ‘Have I made the right decision in volunteering here?’ and ‘Am I going to like it here?’ – ensure the answer is a resounding YES!
Welcome them before they arrive - its great new volunteer recognition
Go further than the welcome when new recruits arrive – get in before they arrive. Call them before they start to check how they are and whether they have any queries. Remind them of how much you are looking forward to their coming on board soon. That should help with any last minute cold feet! But if you haven't got time to do that - then have a 'pre-start volunteer' who rings all newly starting volunteers.
How many standing ovations have you had?
Make their first time totally memorable for all the right reasons. Have you ever experienced the feeling of receiving a standing ovation? How memorable would it be for your new volunteers on their first day on-site to be greeted not just with a nod and a smile, but with a thunderous standing ovation from their new colleagues? How is this for volunteer recognition>
A picture paints a thousand words for new volunteers
What about a photo of the ‘star recruit’ prominently displayed in the reception area when they arrive on their first day? If you have a noticeboard display of pictures of your volunteers, make sure the new volunteer recruits are already included when they start, or make a ceremony of adding their photos on their first day.
Welcome me, I'm new
Design a special newcomer shirt or badge for all new volunteers to wear for their first month. Ensure that everyone in your organization knows about its significance and makes a point of greeting anyone wearing the ‘new recruits’ T-shirt or badge.
When we're new our sensitivity is heightened
New volunteers have a heightened sensitivity as they settle in, especially in relation to how they are treated. So pay attention to the small details. Ensure that sense of belonging by providing a place to hang their coat, somewhere to keep their personal belongings safe, access to supplies, a workstation and a place to go and relax.
I'm special and important - Aim for this in Volunteer Management
Ultimately, follow the advice of Mary Kay Ash and see every new volunteer as wearing a sign saying, ‘please make me feel important and special’. Don't be fooled into thinking that using these ideas would be going 'over the top'. You want the experience to be memorable not forgettable. Your first impressions will be a success as there are very few places where people really do feel appreciated and are shown it from the start.
Convert these ideas to long distance volunteers
What if your volunteers never come on-site or are on-line volunteers? Take the ideas above and see how you can convert them to fit for these volunteers too. For your on-line volunteers there is the pre-start email, welcoming emails sent from other on-line volunteers and their picture on your website as the newest recruit - these are just some ways to adapt these ideas. There are many places on the internet when you can get action-packed standing ovations for that official welcome email. Look at the icons at the beginning of this newsletter, you can start with these at www.smileycentral.com
What fits for volunteers, fits for staff
But let's not just stop at volunteers. Powerful positive first impressions have a lasting effect on how long someone is retained as a volunteer and also as an employee. But you only get one chance to make a first impressions so make it really count! For as Tyron Edwards explains: "we rarely forget that which has made a deep impression on our minds".
Adapted from the book Count On Me! 501 Ideas on Retaining, Recognizing and Rewarding Volunteers
Enjoy!
Judy
Dr Judy Esmond is a leading international 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 a great FREE E-Book and newsletter filled with 100s of ideas on volunteer recruitment, volunteer management, retention and volunteer recognition at www.morevolunteers.com
P.S. Do take the opportunity to register your interest above, so that you will be the first in line for our exciting new membership club for those in volunteer management!
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