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1 Strategies for Success with Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers Photo by Stella Miller

Strategies for Success with Recruiting and Retaining ... · Success with Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers ... • Build resume . 6 ... text, email) • Let them know about upcoming

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1

Strategies for Success with

Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers

Photo by Stella Miller

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Rebecca Richter Program Associate Audubon Chapter Services Photo by Pat Little

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John Loz President Audubon Society of the Capital Region (NY)

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Objectives: • Why do people volunteer? • Laying the groundwork for

a solid volunteer program • Finding volunteers • Getting volunteers to come

back • Success stories!

Photo by Valerie Thomas

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Why do people volunteer? • They were asked • Want to make a difference • Feel needed and appreciated • It’s fun!

• Participate with friends/family

• Meet/network with like-minded people

• Learn something • Fulfill requirement • Build resume

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Why don’t people volunteer? • Weren’t asked • Aren’t bird experts…or even birders • Don’t have enough time • Don’t know how to get involved • Can’t get to the volunteer site • Their skills/time did not seem needed or appreciated • They lack interest/enthusiasm for the cause • They don’t know about your organization • They have a poor image of your organization

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Do we LOVE and BELIEVE in what we do?

• Organizational vision shared by all leaders

• Crystal clear and compelling cause that will INSPIRE others

• Promoted with passion and confidence

• Each leader is a positive ambassador for the organization

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Research

• Learn the latest volunteering trends, recruiting techniques and tools

• Interview leaders of organizations with successful volunteer programs

• Obtain outside opinions/first impressions of your organization from a variety of audiences

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Be open-minded

• Listen more than you talk • Don’t take things personally • Respectfully consider inside and outside opinions

and ideas • Be open to seeing things from different perspectives

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Evaluate & Redesign

• Conservation projects • Educational programming • Communications • Marketing • Outreach • Volunteer program

Photo by Mary Anne Romito

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Remove BARRIERS Identify Clarify Address EXAMPLE 1 Barrier: “I don’t have enough time.” Clarify: Not clear on much time is required for the role/task Address: Rewrite description, e.g., “1 hour a week throughout the summer; on your own schedule”

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Remove BARRIERS

EXAMPLE 2 Barrier: “I don’t have enough time.” Clarify: The opportunities are always on Saturday mornings, and that’s not the best time for the target audience (e.g., millennials). Address: Offer a variety of opportunities at different times and days; and/or offer the incentive of free light breakfast/coffee/snacks

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Organization Needs & Volunteer Job Descriptions

• Category of need (communications, marketing, education, conservation, leadership, etc.)

• Description • Frequency/time

commitment • Types of volunteers

needed (i.e., skills)

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Where can you find volunteers?

Photo by Paul L. Noeldner

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Laid the groundwork Found volunteers Volunteers showed up!!! Get them to come

back

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Remember: Why do people volunteer?

• They were asked • Want to make a difference • Feel needed and appreciated • It’s fun! • Participate with friends/family • Meet/network with like-minded

people • Learn something • Fulfill requirement • Build resume

Courtesy of Stella Miller

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Thanking

• When they sign up to volunteer

• When you remind them about their commitment

• When they show up • While they are volunteering

(a couple of times) • When they are leaving • After the activity

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Make Them Feel Part of the Team

• Offer group training opportunities

• Name badges and logo apparel

• Special place for them at Center

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Stay Connected

• Obtain their full contact information (or at least email/phone) – make sure you can read it!

• Have them indicate how best to contact (phone, text, email)

• Let them know about upcoming events (and have them sign up before they leave!) – including non-volunteer events

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Recognize

• Various levels of achievement (can be award, gift, and/or name recognition)

• National or Regional Awards

– Meritorious Service – Presidential – Great Egret – Callison

• Publicizing

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Build the Relationship

• It’s not all work and no play! • Get to know them as people • Network with one another • Opportunity to recognize

service

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Contact info:

Rebecca Richter 800-542-2748 [email protected] John Loz [email protected]