1. Recruiting, Nurturing & Retaining Volunteers
Don C. Bramlett, PE, SMIEE
IEEE Region 4 – Director
IEEE Southeastern Michigan Section
DTE Energy – Project Engineer

2. Who is Volunteering 49% of American adults volunteered 1995
2/24/2019
Who is Volunteering
49% of American adults volunteered 1995
Over 50% of American between 25 and 54 years old
45% of all American men and 52% of all American women
Increases with education attained, over 70% of college graduates volunteered an average of 4.8 hours a week
Increases with household income, 69% with income over $100,000
24-Feb-19

3. 2/24/2019
Type of Organizations
People are most likely to volunteer for charitable and community service projects; many people want to “make a difference” or help to solve a problem
Many trade and professional organizations, like IEEE, are finding it difficult to compete for their members’ volunteer time; numbers diminishing 3
24-Feb-19 3

4. 2/24/2019
Reference Resource
“Volunteers: How to Get Them, How to Keep Them” By Helen Little Panacea Press, Inc. Naperville, IL 1999 4
24-Feb-19 4

5. 2/24/2019
Needs of a Volunteer
A specific manageable task with a beginning and an end
A task that matches the interests and reasons for volunteering
A good reason for doing the task
Written instructions
A reasonable deadline for doing the task 5
24-Feb-19 5

6. 2/24/2019
Needs of a Volunteer
Freedom to complete the task when and where it is most convenient for the volunteer
Everything necessary to complete the task without interruption
Adequate training
A safe, comfortable and friendly working environment 6
24-Feb-19 6

7. Needs of a Volunteer Follow-up to see that the task is completed
2/24/2019
Needs of a Volunteer
Follow-up to see that the task is completed
An opportunity to provide feedback when the task is finished
Appreciation, recognition and rewards that match the reasons for volunteering
Value added to encourage employer support of volunteer efforts 7
24-Feb-19 7

8. A specific manageable task with a beginning and an end
2/24/2019
A specific manageable task with a beginning and an end
Position/Job/Task Specification:
Specific Roles - Written Job Descriptions, Instructions and/or Work Directions
Skills – Knowledge – Experience
Responsibilities - Duties
Time Commitment - Schedule
Making the Appeal
Ask for help personally
Personal contacts, Meeting attendees, etc 8
24-Feb-19 8

9. A task that matches interests and reasons for volunteering
2/24/2019
A task that matches interests and reasons for volunteering
Volunteer motivations
Affiliation – Power - Recognition
Professional Growth - Networking
Determine volunteer interest
Polls – Surveys
Interview volunteers 9
24-Feb-19 9

10. A good reason for doing the task
2/24/2019
A good reason for doing the task
Work or task should be important to the functioning of the organization
Volunteer must feel he/she is making a meaningful contribution
TEAM – Together Each Achieves More
Will lead to a greater level of commitment to the task 10
24-Feb-19 10

11. Written Instructions Job Description Work Directions
2/24/2019
Written Instructions
Job Description
Work Directions
Detailed Instructions
Letters of appreciation and thanks 11
24-Feb-19 11

12. A reasonable deadline for doing the task
2/24/2019
A reasonable deadline for doing the task
Establish a schedule, interim milestones and deadline for completion of a task
Mentor and follow-up with the volunteer on progress to completion of a task 12
24-Feb-19 12

13. 2/24/2019
Freedom to complete the task when and where it is most convenient for the volunteer
Avoid inefficient, time-consuming and wasteful face-to-face meetings
Make use of conference calls and communication technologies
Provide the volunteer flexibility
Monitor progress of the volunteer 13
24-Feb-19 13

14. Needs everything necessary to complete the task without interruption
2/24/2019
Needs everything necessary to complete the task without interruption
Provide the needed materials and info early in the process
Plan the work and work the plan
The 5Ps – Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance
Increase the probability of success
Mentoring and support needed 14
24-Feb-19 14

15. 2/24/2019
Adequate Training
Match training to the experience, needs and duties of the volunteer
Offer alternatives for training
Mentor and monitor volunteers
Annual Section & Chapter training 15
24-Feb-19 15

16. A safe, comfortable and friendly working environment
2/24/2019
A safe, comfortable and friendly working environment
Meeting locations need to be well identified, safe, secure and convenient
Provide for special needs
Volunteers need to feel welcome and be treated as valuable members of the team
Mentor and monitor volunteers
Volunteers will have a more positive image of the organization 16
24-Feb-19 16

17. Follow-up to see that the task is completed
2/24/2019
Follow-up to see that the task is completed
Volunteers are colleagues & partners, not subordinates or employees
Give opportunity to perform
Monitor and provide feedback
Be a coach and cheerleader
Mentor and counsel, as needed
Fire a volunteer, if necessary 17
24-Feb-19 17

18. Opportunity to provide feedback when the task is completed
2/24/2019
Opportunity to provide feedback when the task is completed
Solicit feedback from volunteers
Volunteers value the opportunity
After Action Review (AAR) process
Lessons learned opportunity
Learn about problems encountered
Prevent potential problems in the future and loss of volunteers 18
24-Feb-19 18

19. 2/24/2019
Appreciation, recognition and rewards that match the reasons for volunteering
One of the easiest and least expensive needs of a volunteer
Thank each volunteer personally
Publicly recognize volunteers, as appropriate, in a timely manner
Provide a position with more authority and responsibility 19
24-Feb-19 19

20. Value added to encourage employer support of volunteer efforts
2/24/2019
Value added to encourage employer support of volunteer efforts
Professional Development of Employee:
Leadership, Project Management,
Public Speaking, Communications,
Team Building, & Management Skills
Technical Development of Employee in training and educational forums
Exposure to state-of-the-art technology
Potential Impact on Industry Standards 20
24-Feb-19 20

21. Long Term Benefits Meeting volunteer needs creates a win–win situation
2/24/2019
Long Term Benefits
Meeting volunteer needs creates a win–win situation
Volunteers benefit when you understand and meet their needs
The organization benefits too
A more successful organization
More long-term productive volunteers & more active members 21
24-Feb-19 21

22. 2/24/2019
Advice
One of your most important responsibilities is to find the volunteer to successfully replace you in your volunteer role
You will have a greater sense of satisfaction feeling that the person replacing you can handle the role 22
24-Feb-19 22