Recruiting Younger Members

Recruitment Overview Why do we need to recruit younger members? Who are they and what are their characteristics? What are the recruitment barriers? How do we tackle the barriers? What do they want out of Kin? How do we keep them engaged once they join? How do we communicate with them? When is the ideal time to recruit younger members? Contact your DMD, NMC or Kin HQ for additional information, resources, ideas and tips!

Why Do We Need to Recruit Youth? Ensure our organization thrives well into the future Club’s long-term sustainability Avoid burn out New sense of excitement Modern ideas Fresh ideas or approaches to ‘used’ ideas Offer seasoned members the opportunity to mentor Enhance the community’s perception about Kin Vision 2020

Who Are They? Youth are often referred to as Gen Y and are the target year olds we’re looking for in Kin: Generation Y (or Millennials) - born 1982 – 2000; the first generation to come of age in the new millennium - Generation Y is almost 3 times the size of Generation X Generation X - born between 1964 – 1981 (ages 31 – 48) Baby Boomers - born between 1943 – 1963 (ages 49 – 69)

What Are Their Characteristics? Tech savvy Career-focused See volunteering to support their job opportunity Enjoy peer camaraderie Service-minded (affected by mandatory community work) Adaptable, energetic, process info quickly, multi-taskers Progressive, creative Care about environment Open-minded

What Are The Recruitment Barriers? 1.Lack of time –Young adults juggle between university/ college, work, peer, family and other commitments 2.Lack of education –They are unaware of the volunteer opportunities, don’t know where to find volunteer work, no direct call to action to them 3.The organization or club do not meet their expectation or values –Feel their opinions/ ideas are not valued/ accepted 4.Hard to locate a club in their community

How To Tackle The Barriers? 1.Lack of time – offer flexibility at club meetings, offer other means to communicate regarding club activities, meetings, socials, etc. 2.Lack of education – promote your club and club events in various mediums: websites, all social media, schools, community centres, church, sports arenas, malls, social hang-outs, forums, libraries, bus shelters, PSAs and word of mouth 3.Organization or club does not meet their expectations or values – offer clear job descriptions, define what your club goals are and how they can help achieve them and listen to their ideas! 4.Hard to locate a club in their community – utilize the internet to make your club and club’s contact information accessible. Use a domain name that is easy to remember.

What Do They Want From Kin? Volunteer with others around the same age Something exciting and challenging Likely to volunteer with an organization that supports the environment Want to know how they are helping their community - see results A chance to build skills/experience – bridging the gap to help support future employment Opportunity to be innovative/creative Require flexibility from the organization Collaboration and teamwork Respect Opportunities to ask questions and receive constructive feedback

How Do We Keep Them Engaged? Don’t manage; MENTOR Don’t assign; EXPLAIN Don’t dictate; SOLICIT Don’t ignore; RESPOND Don’t conceal; COMMUNICATE

How Do We Keep Youth Engaged? Treat them as equal Allow them to express themselves Show them concrete examples of our actions Provide appreciation/recognition Encourage participate in and be recognized with awards (internal & external): –Internal: Maple Leaf Award of Distinction –Internal: GEM 20/20 Award –Internal: Communication Recognition –External: Visit Volunteer Canada’s website for a list of awards (

How Do We Keep Them Engaged? Encourage them to recruit others their age Provide online engagement Build meaningful relationships with them Define what your club’s goals and objectives are and make sure they match some of the interests of younger members Hone in on and utilize their unique skills, talents and interests to increase satisfaction Get to know your younger volunteers

How Do We Communicate Effectively? The information you want to communicate should be: –Relevant –Interesting –Accessible –Easy to share How to and where do we communicate? Here are some communication channels: –Social Media: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Blogs –Website –Colleges and universities –Job fairs or community events –Parks, festivals, arenas, libraries, malls etc.

When Should We Recruit Youth? All year long – just like any other prospect, nurture the relationship, foster trust and showcase the impact your Club has made on your community Throughout the summer – when you’re in the community during the summer months, talk up your club and the volunteer and membership opportunities. Invite them to your first September meeting! At the beginning of the semester – make sure youth know you’re always looking for volunteers, especially if they need volunteer hours for their resume or post-secondary program Before the end of the semester – maintain a positive relationship with various student organizations, advisors and coordinators about volunteer fairs or other key dates throughout the school year

Conclusion Helpful Hints and Tips: When your CMD or DMD is working with you and your club about recruitment strategies, be mindful about including youth as a target market Position your club to attract younger members – promote the Kin Canada bursary at local universities and colleges Update your website, social media or Twitter account with current club information, events or projects; have a strong internet presence Include photos from your club, showcasing projects and events State your club’s accomplishments and upcoming initiatives Include and make accessible a club contact/ address Respond to all inquires within 24-48hrs Utilize your signature event or community service projects as a recruitment opportunity Always remain friendly, respectful, open-minded and ready for change