Casting a Wider Net: Recruiting a High Functioning Volunteer Team © Copyright 2012, NorthSky Nonprofit Network. All rights reserved. Presented by:

Introductions The new volunteer demographic The seven deadly sins Recruitment approaches What works & doesn’t work Targeted recruitment strategies A systematic approach Interviewing and selection Workshop Agenda

Think about the last time you volunteered Why? What was important to you before you would agree? What went well? What didn’t go so well?

Younger Busier Seeking meaningful opportunities Impatient with time-wasting activities Desire social connections Some are donors Graduation requirements create a pool of younger volunteers Some are looking for job experience, training, re-entry to employment Profile of the New Volunteer

Different profile – different needs Important to create roles that meet needs Essential to have the structure in place Important to involve staff and gain support Infrastructure is critical for success Success factors for the New Volunteer

Expect Announcements to Get Volunteers Go it Alone Recruit Life-time Individuals—Not Short-term Project Teams Assume That "No" Means "Never" Fall Into the BIC Trap Be People Driven Rather Than Position Driven Give the Position the Wrong Job Title The Seven Deadly Sins of Volunteer Recruitment

Passive Approach “Fill out an application at the front desk” Broad, generic- “one size fits all” Pre-defined roles based on what works for NPO During “regular” business hours Traditional Recruitment Approaches

Large Number of Volunteers for Short Period Distribution of brochures Posters Speaking to groups Notices in appropriate media Post on Facebook/ website Word of Mouth Warm Body Approach Recruitment Approaches

Volunteers with Specific or Not Commonly Found Skills What do we need? Who could provide this? How can we communicate with them? What would motivate them? Targeted Approach Recruitment Approaches

Targets individuals with a connection to your organization Your clients, their families and relatives Alumni of your program/s Friends of your current volunteers and staff People in your organization's neighborhood People affected by your work Donors Volunteers of partner organizations/ related organizations Concentric Circles Approach Recruitment Approaches

Concentric Circles Recruitment: Targeted Strategies Relationship-oriented: Concentric Circles- who knows who? Major Donors, Board, Management Clients, Volunteers, Employees, General Donors, Partners Former Board, Participants, Former Employees Individuals with Similar Interests The Universe

Recruitment : what works Personal invitation Compelling message Relationship-oriented Targeted in terms of message & media Customized roles

Recruitment : Targeted Strategies The Recruitment Plan Worksheet

Recruitment : The Discussion Make it personal/ Don’t confuse publicity with recruitment Be clear about what you want him/her to do Be honest about what you need Define the training, supervision and support Ask questions/ learn their motivations Communicate the positives about the position and how it meets their needs Explain why you are specifically interested in them Don’t ask them for a “favor” Finally – just ask them to help

Targeting volunteer prospects: Identify segments Define characteristics and motives for each segment Identify how to reach each segment Develop compelling messages/ benefits Recruitment: Targeted Strategies

SEGMENTCHARACTERISTICS/ MOTIVESMETHODSMESSAGE/BENEFITS StudentsMeet school requirements Works with schedule Work with other students Onsite at school Electronic media; Website Youthful look to invitation Social/ fun Working adults Works with schedule Meets recreational, social needs while helping others Personal invitation Help the community as only you can help Stay at home Moms Works with schedule Get out of the house Keep job skills sharp Make contact/ network Personal invitation Use your unique skills

Recruitment: Targeted Strategies Which is the most effective method to recruit volunteers? Which is the most cost-effective method?

Compelling message includes 4 elements The statement of need. (The need of clients, not of the agency!) How the volunteer can uniquely help Position requirements Benefits of the position to the volunteer Recruitment: Targeted Strategies

Statement of client need They have gloves, bats and softballs, but no coach. Seventy-five mentally-challenged boys and girls are waiting for a coach. How to help Don’t let them strike out. Join our Special Olympics Team! Call Gold today! Benefits You’ll never feel more appreciated (and you’ll get some exercise, too!). Recruitment: Targeted strategies

Sample Recruitment Message Many elderly in our community live lonely stretches without a warm smile or embrace. Your family could volunteer to “adopt” one of these senior residents. The members of your family will experience some rare quality time together while giving someone’s grandma or grandpa a real lift. Recruitment: Targeted Strategies

Traverse City Film Festival Grand Traverse Land Conservancy Grand Traverse Land Conservancy Benzie Area Christian Neighbors Let’s check out what others are doing

Why are you interested in volunteering here? Tell me about yourself? Tell me about your experience working with people Give me an example of a project you had to organize Walk me through the process of… Would you be willing to… The Interview: ask open-ended questions

Are they looking for a social opportunity versus a solitary one? Will they be a good representative of your organization? Do they understand what you need? Can they fulfill the commitment? What else? Look for

AgeReligion RaceDisabilities Marital statusNational origin Childcare issuesNames and addresses of relatives Anything that does not directly relate to the ability to perform the specific job Don’t ask

Some additional resources Energize Inc About. com Michigan State Police Staying Legal – Michigan Nonprofit Association

What Questions Do You Have?

NorthSky Resource Center

Thank You Contact Pam Evans at: , ext 208 Presented by: