Volunteers bring so much to the community through their time, talents, expertise, and compassion. They help us with everything from putting on an annual marathon to tutoring at-risk schools and providing meals for those less fortunate. As important as they are to the communities we serve, there is more to recruiting and engaging volunteers than simply finding someone willing to pitch in.
Know Your Volunteer encourages community groups and nonprofits to look more closely at these helpers to better engage them in their cause.
Let’s Examine Why Knowing Your Volunteer Matters
and some strategies to connect and retain these community-minded individuals.
Know Your Volunteer – The Basics
Each and every one of us volunteers has a different set of talents, passions, and motivations. These qualities can range anywhere from being very personable, organized, and creative to being a great storyteller or handyman.
Taking the time to invest in truly knowing your volunteer allows you to determine the right fit. This, in turn, enables you to use their gifts for the betterment of the community in addition to showing them appreciation for their selfless service.
Understanding the reason why these volunteers give of themselves is also important to recognize as it can be different for everyone. Some might volunteer for the tax deductions while others may wish to give back to a community in need or spend quality time with their children.
Building Strong Volunteer Relationships Begins With Communication
It is critical that volunteers have a way to communicate with the organization to share their concerns, needs, or ideas. An initial conversation is a great way to learn more about the volunteer, hear what they are looking for, and explain the requirements of the position. In addition to talking with volunteers during onboarding, make it a point to keep communication open throughout the year.
Engagement of the volunteers also requires that you stay in contact to let them know how they are doing. A quick note of thanks can go a long way toward showing that you do care about what they do for your organization. Another way to boost that morale is to provide opportunities for volunteers to network and associate with each other on a personal level, and bond over a common cause.
Matching Volunteer Skills With The Community’s Needs
Finding the right fit for your volunteers also speaks to a matching of skills and passions on the part of the volunteer and the nonprofit, service, or cause they wish to support.
I like to ask my volunteers what skills they would like to use or expand; previous experiences that they have had; what activities they are passionate about; and what types of things are out of their comfort zone. For instance, if someone likes to take photos, it might be a good fit for them to do photography for an upcoming community outreach event. Or if their passion is writing, maybe having them write a guest column for a local magazine makes more sense. This will allow for greater retention of volunteers as they will be engaged in something that they enjoy doing for a meaningful cause. Conversely, it keeps the organization in good stead as the community members will see a superior result for the service they are needing.
Encouraging Volunteer Participation Beyond Sign-Up Sessions
While onboarding and training are incredibly important to volunteer retention, it is essential that you continue to nurture the volunteer throughout his or her time with us. One of the best ways to encourage continued participation is for the volunteer coordinator to connect, acknowledge, and appreciate them for their hard work and dedication. That may sound simple, but there are multiple ways to personally thank each volunteer for their service. You can express your gratitude through public praise, sending a handwritten note, providing training to expand their skill sets, and encouraging them to share leadership opportunities or their ideas for improving your programs. Another powerful tactic that builds good rapport and shows volunteers that their opinions matter is to listen to their constructive criticism. As they are boots-on-the-ground for your organization, volunteers may be able to spot roadblocks and barriers you didn’t even know were there.
Creating Connected & Engaging Communities Begins With Knowing Your Volunteer
All told, know your volunteer speaks to the creation of an environment that fosters connected and caring communities. When we truly invest in the people that give of themselves to improve our neighborhoods, villages, towns, and cities, in turn, they will do the same. As these volunteers engage with each other and the organizations that support them, we will witness more connected communities that will, ultimately, thrive.
