Recruiting Great Volunteers

Volunteers can be the lifeblood on organization or project - the hours of free labor, expertise, special skills and contacts can be what makes…or breaks a successful community endeavor. After all, a volunteer who contributes five hours of time a week, would cost an organization around $15,000 a year in personnel expense if he or she was a paid employee. That’s a lot of value from one well-meaning individual! It’s not always easy, however, to find great volunteers and to attract efforts that will actually be helpful. Let’s explore where you may be able to find great volunteers in your community and how to attract them to your cause… 

The first step in recruiting volunteers is to have a clear idea of what it is that you need. By coming up with a plan and writing up a “job description” for each volunteer position, it will guide you in your recruiting. For instance, if you are trying to put together a volunteer steering committee for a fundraising event, that will require different things from a volunteer than helping to paint a building or replace carpet. By putting thought into planning, you’ll be more specific with your recruiting and the potential volunteer will appreciate your attention to detail. 

Individuals volunteer for various reasons. Some are looking to make social connections, some want to help the community, get job training, or often families are looking for a project they can work on together. Considering the motivation of volunteers will also guide you in finding the right fit.