Mentor and Volunteer Retention Staff Webinar This webinar will provide insights and allow agency staff to share and learn ways to appreciate and retain their volunteers To Register: Or: th 10:30amApril 10:30am

WHY AREN’T PEOPLE AS COMMITTED?

Today’s Objectives Why do people mentor? Why do they stop mentoring? How can we get our mentors to stay? Understanding motivations The new breed of volunteers Other skills to apply

VOLUNTEER RETENTION IS AN OUTCOME, NOT A TASK Mentoring Resource Center

Why do people Mentor? What motivates individuals to sign up? Wide variety of reasons Give back Meet others Gain prestige Do you ask them? Is it recorded?

Why do they stop mentoring? Significant change in personal circumstance Dissatisfaction of the experience Organization not well managed Lack of training Lack of clarity about roles/responsibilities Lack of support or supervision Believe they are being ineffective Mentees show a lack of appreciation The personal investment exceeds their expectations Feel burdened or overwhelmed by youth’s needs

How do we get them to stay? Formal recognition is one of the least significant reasons for a mentor to stay Help them feel confident Match the experience with their needs Let them know and help them identify the benefits

The New Breed Times have changed… 3 levels of motivation What they want Managing Make them happy

It all starts with Recruitment Be real Use your powers to sell all aspects of the program Needs to focus on a variety of motivations Take it slow… Mentor

Once they are interested After recruitment: Job is still not done… Make them feel welcome Screening process is a chance for them to screen the agency as well Orientation and training is vitally important

Getting them going Be Clear Build their confidence Instill a sense of belonging and investment Strongest predictor of commitment: investment Need to see the benefits

Checking in What’s your agency’s policy? Some things to ask How is your match going? How do you feel about being a mentor? What kind of things do you do together? How do you decide what activities you do together? Tell me about your last meeting with your mentee. Tell me what you think your challenge is right now. What would help you and your mentee to succeed in your relationship? What else should we be aware of?

Keeping them involved Ongoing Support Meet their needs Align expectations with experiences Highlight their progress Recognition

Prepare them for transitions Developmental stages School Transitions Home transitions Summer time

Using those Skills Customer service Communication Reframing Recognition and praise Coaching Confidence Evaluation

The National Webinar The National Mentor Partnership Mentoring.org Going the Distance: New Insights on Mentor Retention Thursday, April 17 th 1-2:15p

Contact Jessica Karr ext. 120 IRMentorCollaborative.org

References 1. Stukas, A. A., Clary, G., Snyder, H. (2014) Mentor recruitment and retention. In Dubois, D. L. & Kracher, M. J. (Eds). Handbook for youth mentoring (p ). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage 2. McKee, J. & McKee, T. W. (2012). The New breed of volunteers: Understanding and equipping the 21 st century volunteer 2 nd ed. 3. Fader, S. (2010). 365 ideas for recruiting, retaining, motivating and rewards your volunteers: A complete guide nonprofit Organizations. Atlantic Publishing Group 4. Rhodes, J. (2006). Research corner: Strategies for recruiting and retaining volunteers. National Mentoring Partnership 5. Papadakis, K., Griffin, T., Frater, J. (2004). Understanding volunteers’ motivations. Proceedings from the 2004 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium. 6. Caldarell, P., Gomm, R. J., Shatzer, R. H., Wall, D. G. (2010). School based mentoring: A study of understanding volunteer motivations and benefits. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education. 2 (2). 7. Mentoring Resource Center. (2006) Mentoring fact sheet: Volunteer motivation and mentor retention. U. S. Department of Education 8. Yoshioka, C. F., Brown, W.A., Ashcraft, R. F. (2007). A functional approach to senior volunteer and non- volunteer motivations. The International Journal of Volunteer Administration. 24(5) 9. Mentoring Resource Center. (2009). Fact Sheet: More than saying thank you: Comprehensive approaches to mentor retention. U. S. Department of Education 10. Relationship development Checklist: How often should my program check in with their mentors? The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern PA 11. Mentor Resource Center. (2008). Keeping matches in touch over the summer months. U. S. Department of Education