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?