As nonprofits, we rely on volunteers to accomplish the organization’s mission. Most nonprofits have more volunteers than paid staff members. With volunteers being such a vital piece of the organization, nonprofits must find ways to recruit and keep committed volunteers.
Having a solid volunteer plan is key. By having a firm foundation of volunteers in place, your organization will be able to call on these folks for large and small projects.
- Recruit and Train – Recruiting volunteers is an ongoing effort. Just as nonprofits should consistently be working to acquire new donors, the same is true with volunteers. Hosting a volunteer orientation and training each month allows your organization the opportunity to invite potential volunteers into the organization, educate them about the mission and help them find the area of interest that will best fit their skills and availability. Today’s technology allows organizations to make the effort to volunteer as simple as possible. By using online tools for volunteer signup, you will be able to utilize tools such as automated reminders and even online meetings for those who may not be able to attend planning events.
- Communication – Once you find the volunteers, keeping them committed and motivated is just as important as donor retention. Consider sending out a welcome to first-time volunteers, birthday cards at the beginning of each month and even a special newsletter or e-update for volunteers only. Building volunteer relationships can pay off big when you have a need in the organization to be filled. Being available for volunteers is another important piece in the communication puzzle. If your volunteer office is overwhelmed with voicemails, be sure to mention that in the voicemail message. By simply letting callers know that it may take up to 48 hours to receive a phone call response and offering an email alternative, communication frustrations can be stopped in their tracks.
- Punctuality – When planning a meeting, if you make that claim that the meeting will last one hour, stick to one hour. If volunteers know that they can rely on your word and your schedule, they will be more likely to commit to your cause the next time you contact them with a need.
- Say Thank You – As with most of life, a simple thank you goes a long way. While thanking each volunteer each time they serve is as important as thanking a donor for every gift, an annual volunteer appreciation event is a great way to motivate and encourage volunteers, especially long-time volunteers who may begin to feel fatigued. Even small gestures can have a big return when you find yourself planning your next fundraising event or having a gap in office personnel.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of nonprofit organizations. Treating them like a true member of your team helps motivate them, invest them in the mission and strengthen their commitment.