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Retaining and Rewarding Volunteers You’re the Greatest! Retaining and Rewarding Volunteers

Why Volunteer? Most people volunteer because they want to make a difference, yet most non-profits are structured to use volunteers so the organization can make a difference. These two objectives are often at odds and can consequently create hard feelings. To achieve a successful partnership, you must find tasks that support the organization but also achieve the goals or learning skills important to that volunteer.

Volunteer Organization An organization must not only be great, but must be seen as great by its members. A strong membership keeps organization alive and thriving. A strong membership means effective projects and well attended events. Renewal must be easy but also involve the knowledge of missing out, of no longer being part of the family.”

Who are your members? Show an interest in the "total person" - not just what occurs at a meeting. Help members meet their needs by matching their interests and motives for volunteering. Be responsive when members contact you. Pay attention to ‘milestone members’ and acknowledge their anniversaries. Develop a strong membership relationship process.

New Members Need You Contact members immediately after they join and welcome them to the organization. Recognize new members at meetings; publish their names in the newsletter. Have new members serve as greeters at meetings to meet more people. Provide support network for new members (mentors, buddy program, etc.) Get to know members personally. Ask new members for their ideas and input.

Organization’s Meeting Etiquette Prepare and publish agendas. Publicity! Make sure meetings and events are publicized well to members. Keep meetings short to retain interest of those present. Introduce some energy into meetings: live music at break, “getting to know you” exercises Take time to speak with members who attend the meeting.

Communication Communicate organization successes frequently. Contact least active members for their opinion when important issues arise. Talk with members personally. Don’t rely on email or newsletter to get your message across. Make sure members’ opinions are heard and respected. Contact members who have not been active or missed several meetings. Create a member satisfaction form and use regularly. Use a reward method for survey participation.

Involvement Increasing member involvement has a positive influence on member retention. Members are more likely to get involved if they feel needed or have a specific role. Create short term and long term activities to increase participation. Social events give members time to connect and bond with other members. Members leave when they feel frustrated or useless. What skills do you have that we have not yet asked you to use on our behalf? What do you see that needs to be done that you are interested in tackling?

Evaluate Organization Goals Evaluate projects and committees regularly Eliminate ones no longer needed or where interest has diminished Survey membership often for direction, ideas, and programs. Email mini surveys of important questions or issues.

Committee Meeting Etiquette Be consistent in your meeting days and times. During meeting, divide into smaller groups to discuss ideas and problems, giving members more opportunity to interact. Let different members run various parts of meeting. Take time to know your committee. Encourage shy members to participate and speak up. Have entire committee decide on programs and activities. Delegate tasks so each member has a reason to attend meetings and stay active.

Delegation Skills Be organized with goals and objectives. Make sure tasks are worthwhile so members feel needed, and time is not wasted. Tasks should be specific with a beginning and an end. Provide all information needed to work on a given task. Work alongside committee members. Don't delegate responsibilities without assuming any yourself. Practice and teach problem-solving techniques

Recognition Remember to express appreciation to your members. Be specific and identify accomplishments of a particular member. Recognize members in public to make appreciation more meaningful. Email is not an effective way to recognize; but, recognition in the newsletter is a badge of honor. Emails don’t get passed on, but family and friends can see a printed newsletter. Place random snapshots of members in the newsletter; it will be a pleasurable surprise.

Volunteering Offers Benefits Gaining interpersonal skills such as understanding people better and dealing with difficult situations. Developing communication skills in public speaking, writing, and public relations. Increasing knowledge about issues such as health, politics, relationships, or the environment. Experiencing that mystical feeling that happens when we spend our time for others; something that changes us in the most fundamental of ways.

Volunteering is the Greatest! But it takes you…as leaders…to make it easy, interesting, and appealing.