Recruitment 101Recruitment 101 Recruitment 101Recruitment 101The Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz CountyThe Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County

Topics we will cover in this session: Topics we will cover in this session:

• Quick Tips for Recruitment

• Creating a Successful Recruitment Plan

• The 3 M’s of the Approach

The Recruitment ProcessThe Recruitment Process

• Recruitment is the process of enlisting volunteers into the work of the program.

• Recruitment should be seen as the process of showing people they can do something they already want to do.

Recruitment Tips Recruitment Tips

• Create a detailed plan before you start to ensure you are focusing your efforts in the right direction.

• Remember to be as creative as possible when recruiting and engaging

volunteers. Don”t be afraid to think outside the box. • Streamline your recruitment message. How can you best market your

volunteer opportunities in a way that conveys the most information in the most concise way possible? Always remember to make your mission clear and upfront.

• Be visible and make your information as accessible as possible.

Recruitment Tips …….Recruitment Tips …….

•Understand your target audience, and recruit to them specifically.

• Help potential volunteers connect with something larger, be prepared with information on your organization’s mission and the overall need for the project they will be working on.

• Employ multi-faceted recruitment strategies. Different people want to volunteer for different reasons

• Don’t forget to leverage your own connections, either within your organization, among other organizations in the community, or amongst your colleagues or peers in the field

Recruitment Tips …….Recruitment Tips …….

• Leverage viral marketing. Viral Marketing is about letting the people spread the word for you, using word of mouth techniques, e-mail blurbs, online blogs, social networking, radio spots, etc

• Most importantly get out and meet as many people as possible

Creating a Successful Recruitment PlanCreating a Successful Recruitment Plan

• What’s the substance? What is the issue you are recruiting for? • What’s the volunteer time commitment you are asking for?

• What is it you want? What would you be expecting the volunteers to be doing? What is your target number of volunteers to sign up?

• Who cares? Who might be interested in the issue that you’re addressing with your service opportunity?

• Who might not know they care?

• Who has the skills? Who can commit?

Know your Resources Know your Resources

Resources for Outreach

• Targeted Locations- Where are the types of people you are recruiting likely to be found?

• Traditional Outreach- community calendars, website links, newsletters, meeting presentations, press releases

• Email Marketing- great free resources for e-newsletters, use every opportunity to collect and develop lists

• Social Media- use it….

• Community Leader Outreach - who are your advocates

Rules, Regulations, Deadlines Rules, Regulations, Deadlines

• Where can you table?

• Where can you post or hand out fliers, posters etc

• What are deadline submissions for media sources

* How far in advance should you contact local groups about presentations ?

The Approach- the 3 M’s The Approach- the 3 M’s

Materials: Will you make posters or fliers to hand out? Will you need a table or incentives to give away?

Messaging: What information will you have on your printed material? What imagery will you use? Remember to be clear and concise, target your message

Method of Contact : What method will you use to allow volunteers to sign up? Make sure this information is clearly

stated on all of your materials, press releases, web info etc.