Recruiting &
Retaining
Volunteers
Matthew Plumridge
7th March 2019
Definition of a VolunteerOxford English Dictionary
a person who freely offers to take part in a task:
▪ a call for volunteers to act as foster-parents
▪ a person who freely enrols for military service rather
than being conscripted
▪ a person who works for an organisation without being
paid: the railway is operated solely by volunteers
Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers
Definition of a Volunteer
Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers
Oxford English Dictionary
a person who freely offers to take part in a task:
▪ a call for volunteers to act as foster-parents
▪ a person who freely enrols for military service rather
than being conscripted
▪ a person who works for an organisation without being
paid: the railway is operated solely by volunteers
▪ a plant that has not been deliberately planted
Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers
Does it feel like other
Organisations…
have:
- more resources
- more mis-placed plants
- more hardy perennials
Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers
Does it feel like
the grass is
greener on the
other side?
Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers
Well …
It’s greener
where you
water it
Volunteers
Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers
Well…
It’s greener
where you
water it
Volunteers
Build Capacity
Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers
Strong Volunteer TeamRecruiting and retaining
‘appropriate’ volunteers
Means:
- less resources needed
- less mis-placed plants
- less turnover (volunteers & staff)
- less problems to deal with
Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers
It starts
with you
Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers
So, what do you
need to consider?
well…
Volunteers needed
What are you communicating?
Desperately
Urgently
Volunteers needed
What are you communicating?
Desperately
Urgently
Volunteering is a two way
relationship
It’s not all about you
What’s in it for them?
Think about
volunteer development
Are you projecting a welcoming
friendly place?
Different styles attract different people
is it confusing?
Decide on a campaign strategy
K.I.S.S. Principle
Keep it:
- simple
- targeted
- manageable
- cost effective
Decide on a campaign strategy
K.I.S.S. Principle
Keep it:
- simple
- targeted
- manageable
- cost effective
Posters, leaflets, adverts
Avoid using internal stuff
Meaningless to others
Looks
unprofessional
Decide on a campaign strategy
K.I.S.S. Principle
Keep it:
- simple
- targeted
- manageable
- cost effective
Who do you want to attract?
Targeted approach
People like me
volunteer
People like us volunteer
Targeted approach
Pictures should reflect who you
want to attract
Decide on a campaign strategy
K.I.S.S. Principle
Keep it:
- simple
- targeted
- manageable
- cost effective
time and resource
Manageable
Display feature
Event badgesTake a stand at a
volunteer fair or
community event
Handy
literature Hold your own event
Volunteers
Open DayFind out how you can get involved
Decide on a campaign strategy
K.I.S.S. Principle
Keep it:
- simple
- targeted
- manageable
- cost effective Decide on a budget
(it will cost something)
Can prospective volunteers see
your message?
Confusing?Competing?
Proof read everything
Where can you go for help?
Which of these would be
best, to advertise for
volunteers ?1A
Volunteer
Centres,
CVS’ & LIO’s
B
Internet
C
Library
Which of these would be
best, to advertise for
volunteers ?1A
Volunteer
Centres,
CVS’ & LIO’s
B
Internet
C
Library
Don’t die of
ignorance (UK leaflet)
Which of these would be
best, to advertise for
volunteers ?1A
Volunteer
Centres,
CVS’ & LIO’s
B
Internet
do-it.org
streetlife.com
C
Library
Which of these would be
best, to advertise for
volunteers ?1A
Volunteer
Centres,
CVS’ & LIO’s
B
Internet
C
LibraryLocal Papers,
newsletters,
community
magazines
Should you use Social
Media to attract volunteers?2A
Definitely
B
Depends
(maybe)
C
‘Defo not’
Should you use Social
Media to attract volunteers?2A
Definitely
B
Depends
(maybe)
C
‘Defo not’
When should you reach for
the application form?3A
Straight
away
B
Another
day
C
Before they
leave
When should you reach for
the application form?3A
Straight
away
B
Another
day
C
Before they
leave’
What is the first question
you should ask them?4A
When can
you start?
B
How many
hours can
you do?
C
How quick
do you
work?
What is the first question
you should ask them?4A
When can
you start?
B
How many
hours can
you do?
C
How quick
do you
work?
None of the above
So what should you ask?
5A
How can we
help you?
B
What would
you like to
get from
this?
C
What is
your
timeline?
So what should you ask?
5A
How can we
help you?
B
What would
you like to
get from
this?
C
What is your
timeline?
All of the above
Tell themWhat you can offer:
- Trial period (Hurrah)
- Full training
- Buddy for them to work with
- Flexible hours
- Reference if needed
- Friendly environment
Tell themWhat you can offer:
- Trial period (Hurrah)
- Full training (Brilliant)
- Buddy for them to work with
- Flexible hours
- Reference if needed
- Friendly environment
Tell themWhat you can offer:
- Trial period (Hurrah)
- Full training (Brilliant)
- Buddy for them to work with (Great)
- Flexible hours
- Reference if needed
- Friendly environment
Tell themWhat you can offer:
- Trial period (Hurrah)
- Full training (Brilliant)
- Buddy for them to work with (Great)
- Flexible hours (Even better)
- Reference if needed
- Friendly environment
Tell themWhat you can offer:
- Trial period (Hurrah)
- Full training (Brilliant)
- Buddy for them to work with (Great)
- Flexible hours (Even better)
- Reference if needed (OMG)
- Friendly environment
Tell themWhat you can offer:
- Trial period (Hurrah)
- Full training (Brilliant)
- Buddy for them to work with (Great)
- Flexible hours (Even better)
- Reference if needed (OMG)
- Friendly environment
Accentuate the benefits Link what you offer to what they are looking
for:
- Meet new people
- Learn new skills
- Gain experience
- Give something back
- Make a difference
- Build confidence
Be clear aboutMeeting their expectations:
- What you don’t offer
- What you / they expect
- What days / times they can fill
- What isn’t allowed
- Ongoing support
- Expenses policy
Volunteer retentionRelationship is key:
- Get to know them
- Be genuinely nice / appreciative
- Make it fun
- Move them around (variety)
- Keep them updated on changes
- Keep them informed of new developments
- Give praise and thank them
- Reward your volunteers
Volunteer retentionRelationship is key:
- Have regular ‘catch-ups’
- Sort out issues quickly
- Get rid of troublesome volunteers quickly
Volunteer retentionRelationship is key:
- Have regular ‘catch-ups’
- Sort out issues quickly
- Get rid of troublesome volunteers quickly
Quick Volunteer Exit = Vexit
Volunteer retentionRelationship is key:
- Have regular ‘catch-ups’
- Sort out issues quickly
- Get rid of troublesome volunteers quickly
Quick Volunteer Exit = Vexit
Vexit means Vexit
(Don’t take them back)
Volunteer retentionRelationship is key:
- Have regular ‘catch-ups’
- Sort out issues quickly
- Get rid of troublesome volunteers quickly
Quick Volunteer Exit = Vexit
Vexit means Vexit
(Don’t take them back)
and finally…
Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers
Volunteers also like cake
Matthew Plumridge
Questions?