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

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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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 s
Don’t acknowledge them
Don’t thank them
Don’t praise them

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. Resources & References
Janet Newham
Senior Vice President, Membership Development
Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
2750 Speisseger Dr., Ste. 100
Charleston, SC 29405
Phone:
Fax:
John Seymour
President & CEO
Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 2003
Decatur, AL
Phone:
Fax:

15. Resources & References Continued
By the People: A History of Americans as Volunteers, New Century Edition, by Susan J. Ellis & Katherine H. Campbell