VOLUNTEER TRAINING Volunteer Motivations

10 STEPS TO DESIGNING A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM STEP 1 Complete a needs assessment STEP 2 Gain buy-in from the agency you serve STEP 3 Create a written position description(s) STEP 4 Design a recruitment strategy Volunteer Motivations STEP 5 Start recruiting Volunteer Motivations STEP 6 Volunteer Screening and Orientation STEP 7 Volunteer Training STEP 8 Run your project, implement your volunteer Volunteer Motivations STEP 9 Evaluate your volunteer program STEP 10 Report your results in OnCorps

“How do we motivate volunteers?” You don’t. Volunteers have their own individual motivations. Instead, you want to figure out how to use their preexisting motivations as a tool to achieve volunteer satisfaction.

“How do we use motivation to achieve volunteer satisfaction?” Positive Experience Training Supervision Tasks Recognition Volunteer Satisfaction Retention Service Quality Motivation!

Motivation as a Tool Recruitment –Message Implement Volunteer –Roles Recognition –Type STEP 4/5 STEP 8

Based on your own experience Why do you volunteer? What made it positive/negative? Why do others volunteer?

Volunteer Motivations Passionate about the cause Affected by personal experience with condition and want to help others Going with friends/coworkers Skills/professional development Desire to feel important/valued Requirement for school

Types of Motivation People will be motivated to volunteer if they believe that volunteering will get them something they value Volunteer MotivationsDefinition AltruismUnselfish regard or devotion to the welfare of others SocialTo interact with others; To satisfy the expectations of friends ValueTo express humanitarian and pro- social values through action CareerTo explore career options and increase skills UnderstandingTo gain insight into the world ProtectiveTo distract oneself from personal problems EnhancementTo enhance self-esteem, to feel important and needed

Motivation as a Tool for RECRUITMENT You can tailor your message to target audience’s motivations Think about who your target audience is –College students: social, career, requirements –Baby boomers: enhancement, social, value –Veterans: value, protective, career

Recruitment Messages Volunteer MotivationsDefinitionRecruitment Message AltruismUnselfish regard or devotion to the welfare of others “Think of all the good you can do.” SocialTo interact with others; satisfy the expectations of friends “A great opportunity to meet new people” “Your friends will be impressed.” ValueTo express humanitarian and pro-social values through action “Help make housing a human right.” CareerTo explore career options and to increase skills “The president volunteers…imagine where it will take you.” UnderstandingTo gain insight into the world“Want to understand the housing crisis? Ask those without a home.” ProtectiveTo distract oneself from personal problems “Why not keep busy by helping others?” EnhancementTo enhance self-esteem, to feel important and needed “They need you.”

Motivation as a Tool for IMPLEMENTATION Determine volunteer motivation –Ask the specific question “Why do you want to volunteer?” –What type of legacy do they want to leave? –Interview volunteer Based on the volunteer’s motivation, place them in a role that will let the volunteer reach their full potential

Volunteer Roles Volunteer Motivation DefinitionRecruitment Message Sample Roles Altruism Unselfish regard or devotion to the welfare of others “Think of all the good you can do.” All Social To interact with others; To satisfy the expectations of friends “A great opportunity to meet new people” “Your friends will be impressed.” Serving meals, mentoring, counseling, communication Value To express humanitarian and pro-social values through action “Help make housing a human right.” Information booth, spokesperson, serving meals Career To explore career options and to increase skills “The president volunteers…imagine where it will take you.” Editing organizational newsletters, fundraising Understanding To gain insight into the world“Want to understand the housing crisis? Ask those without a home.” Editing organizational newsletters, research about topics Protective To distract oneself from personal problems “Why not keep busy by helping others?” Childcare Enhancement To enhance self-esteem, to feel important and needed “They need you.”Clean up, Life Skill Classes, kitchen tasks

Motivation as a Tool for RECOGNITION Using motivation you can decide the best way to recognize the volunteer Greater increase in retention

Type of Recognition Volunteer Motivation DefinitionRecruitment Message Roles Recognition Altruism Unselfish regard or devotion to the welfare of others “Think of all the good you can do.” All Social To interact with others; To satisfy the expectations of friends “A great opportunity to meet new people” “Your friends will be impressed.” Serving meals, mentoring, counseling, communication Social media, personal note, recognition lunch Value To express humanitarian and pro-social values through action “Help make housing a human right.” Information booth, spokesperson, serving meals Certificate of acknowledgement. Share with them the impact of their work Career To explore career options and to increase skills “The president volunteers…imagine where it will take you.” Editing organizational newsletters, Fundraising Letter of recommendation, be a reference Enhancement To enhance self-esteem, to feel important and needed “They need you.”Clean up, Life Skill Classes, kitchen tasks Nominate for outstanding volunteer award

COMBINING IT ALL TOGETHER Use the theories of motivation to tailor recruitment messages to target audience During screening and orientation, find out person’s reasons for volunteering Use motivations to maintain positive experience and increase volunteer satisfaction: –Put volunteer in specific role suited for their interests –Choose method of recognition based on volunteer motivation Overall, increase quality of service and volunteer retention

ANY QUESTIONS?

Reminders Conference call next Tuesday, Feb am Quiz (Due by next Wednesday)