Cultivating Volunteers American Chamber of Commerce Executives Annual Meeting Cleveland, Ohio August 16-19, 2006

Volunteers Are pioneers & experimenters Are reactive and proactive Represent all sides of an issue Are agents of change Are critical to your Chamber

The New Form of Volunteering Must present a win-win situation Prove well worth the investment of time, energy and brainpower To be an extremely positive experience To overcome everything else competing for their time and attention

Recruiting Be truthful Be clear Understand the issue Open communications Deal breakers

Create the Opportunities They Want Express committees in terms of what they do, not what they’re called Areas of interest vs. general business to business Consider: Development & Growth Import/ Export Streetscapes Their company concerns Issues impacting their bottom line Find their passion

A Broad Mix of Talent Constant lookout for new talent Recruit for a wide variety of business types, skill sets Recruit for time and talent, not just talent Use all PR resources for recruiting Be clear about their benefits Staff overt in pitching opportunities Staff input from committee work Standouts from leadership class & other programs Reach out for diversity

Celebrate Every Volunteer It’s not just a line on a resume – all volunteer roles are active Manage to their expectations Celebrate all levels of engagement <100% to >100% Cultivating volunteers – it’s all about relationships A family of volunteers

Recognizing Volunteers Recognize in front of peers & superiors Thank you notes Pictures & plaques Noted in publications Public thanks Public praise Recognize as investors, not just volunteers – they’re investing time, energy & brainpower

Eight Ways to Lose a Volunteer Don’t get their names or companies right Don’t listen to their ideas about other projects Don’t include them in other things that come up Don’t take them up on their offers to help Don’t return their phone calls or emails Don’t acknowledge them Don’t thank them Don’t praise them

Time for a Change Show you care – address their issues Carrying non-participants on the roster de-motivates active participants Make it clean & easy when they need to step back Recognize when they’re ready for something new Always leave the door open

They’re Watching You Chamber staff are magical superstars Leverage your opportunities for influence Be aware of the messages you send Organization Timeliness Body language Facial Expressions Attitude

What works best in YOUR Chamber? Success Stories What works best in YOUR Chamber? “Some people strengthen our society just by being the kind of people they are.” - John W. Gardner

Cultivating Volunteers Questions? “Realize how good you really are.” - Og Mandino

Resources & References Janet Newham Senior Vice President, Membership Development Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce 2750 Speisseger Dr., Ste. 100 Charleston, SC 29405 Phone: 843-805-3025 Fax: 843-723-4853 jnewham@charlestonchamber.org John Seymour President & CEO Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce PO Box 2003 Decatur, AL 35602-2003 Phone: 256-353-5312 Fax: 256-353-2384 john@dcc.org

Resources & References Continued By the People: A History of Americans as Volunteers, New Century Edition, by Susan J. Ellis & Katherine H. Campbell www.e-volunteerism.com www.volunteertoday.com www.community.ups.com/volunteerism