volunteer management conference 2013 give them what they want: volunteer satisfaction &...
TRANSCRIPT
Volunteer Management Conference 2013
GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT:
VOLUNTEER SATISFACTION & RETENTION
THROUGH PERSONAL GOALS
CAVAN GAHAGANSENIOR LEARNING CENTERS MANAGER
MINNESOTA LITERACY COUNCIL
Who our volunteers are and why they volunteer
What we have to offer as a volunteer outlet
How to apply their goals to our volunteer needs
Translating that into happier and committed volunteers
WHAT WE WILL
BE TALKING
ABOUT TODAY
RetireesService learners/college students
Community members/neighbors
Church membersNumerous others
WHO ARE OUR VOLUNTEERS?
Teaching experienceHelping their community & neighbors
Gaining more intercultural competence & understanding
Feeling like they’re help someone or with something
Many other reasons
WHY DO THEY VOLUNTEER?
“The best way to find
yourself is to lose yourself in the service
of others.” * M
OH
AN
DA
SG
AN
DH
I
WE DO NOT ONLY SERVE NOR ONLY BENEFIT STUDENTS.
Staff
VolunteersStudents
NOT Staff Volunteers Students
THIS!
1. Motivate your volunteers by learning their goals for volunteering
2. Realize what great benefits your volunteers can get from their service
3. Highlight those benefits every day!
3 KEY POINTS
1
THE BIG QUESTION =
WHAT’S IN IT FOR THEM?
Volunteer’s Goal: Staff’s Support:
“I want to get more teaching experience before teaching abroad.”
“We need a teacher every Monday! And Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday!”
“This is my neighborhood, so I really want to help my community and know it better.”
“José works at the restaurant up the street. Have you tried it yet?”
“I don’t know too much about other cultures, but I want to learn.”
“You have to try Maryan’s sambusas! They’re fantastic!”
“I love helping people to read!” “Here is a great book of stories. Could you sit with David and read one?”
“I need volunteer experience for my résumé. Could I use you as a reference?”
“Hmmm, you’ll do my bidding, you say?”
KNOW THEIR GOALSTO PLAN YOUR SUPPORT
2
KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE
TO OFFER
Multitude of teaching and classroom experienceWorking with people from diff erent countries or a variety
of culturesTrainings and opportunities to develop new skillsHelping people in need of the most helpNon-profi t work is very flexible and applicable to many
diff erent careersCommunity-based organizations are organizations
directly based in the community!Can you ever say that our work is boring?
THE BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING IN ADULT BASIC EDUCATION
3
SHOW ME A VOLUNTEER WHO
FEELS LIKE THEY’RE WASTING
THEIR TIME,AND I’LL SHOW
YOU A VOLUNTEER WHO STOPS
COMING.
Present the opportunity to fulfi ll their goals
Individualized support is the most effective way to approach it
Connect at least one thing they do to what goals they have when they first start and throughout their time
Remember to thank them every time they volunteer!
GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT!