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How to Recruit More Volunteers
By Lorna Doone Brewer
So, now that we’ve looked at some of the usual suspects when it comes to volunteer recruitment for nonprofit organizations, let’s get a little more creative. This is a fun exercise to use to get the ideas flowing in a staff meeting or at a group lunch. You can use this technique over and over in order to brainstorm ideas for all different types of volunteers.
1. Who Makes the List? First, have the group choose the type of volunteer they want to recruit, and write it at the top of a whiteboard. Different organizations are looking for different types of folks, which is why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work so well. One nonprofit organization may be looking to recruit volunteers to translate documents from English to Spanish, while another is looking for volunteers to plant gardens in community spaces. Even separate departments within the same nonprofit organization need different skills in their volunteers.
2. The Boring Stuff Talk about the typical process your nonprofit organization generally uses to recruit volunteers. Many of the places you usually look are probably already listed in our previous post. Write the list out on a whiteboard under the heading “Usual places we look for this kind of volunteer.”
3. Hey, Why Didn’t I Think of That? Based solely on the type of volunteer you’re looking to recruit, have the group brainstorm at least five totally obvious yet unexplored places to look. For example, you may not have thought to look for translators at the local high school, even though several of them are employed there. In the case of volunteers to plant gardens, why not recruit through the local home and garden store?
4. Why, That’s a Brilliant Idea! Now, it’s time to move on to the “Completely ridiculous places to look” category. We also like to call this the “That’s so crazy, it just might work” category. Again, use the volunteer type to help brainstorm these ideas. Looking for a volunteer to translate from one language to another? Maybe one of your nonprofit organization’s clients is bilingual and wants to give back as a way to say “thanks.” Need someone to plant gardens? Why not look at a local restaurant that specializes in organic entrees? There’s a good chance they’ll appreciate the opportunity to help others enjoy fresh, healthy produce.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that brainstorming is all about accepting any ideas given. Write every suggestion on the whiteboard without analyzing it. There will be time for that later. Instead allow people to really get their creative juices flowing. You never know where you’re going to end up, but wherever it is, you’re liable to be holding a list of great recruitment ideas when you get there.
Topics: Volunteers |
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