HOW TO Increase your Volunteer Commitment Rate

VolunteerSpot makes it easy for volunteer coordinators to schedule and sign up volunteers for  activities such as PTA, Scouts, Sunday School, Swim Team, Workplace Volunteering, and Community Service Projects.  Although we make signing up point-and-click simple, some volunteers may be slow to try a new tool - even one as easy as VolunteerSpot. Below are a few helpful tips for increasing your Volunteer Commitment Rate.

• Let volunteers know ahead of time that a request for help is coming via VolunteerSpot and why their help is important.

Whether you do this in person, or via email, alerting volunteers you will be using a new service to help streamline volunteer communication and signups for your activity will help them know what to expect. Share simple background information about why their help is important. (please see sample message below)

• Clearly identify yourself and your title when planning your activity.

Although email is sent from VolunteerSpot, email subject lines identify the Organizer and Organizer Title so volunteers know who the invitation is from. Even if you don't have a formal title, adding information that lets volunteers know what group you represent is helpful.  Some examples: 
     Mary Jonas, 3rd Grade Parent
     Alex Meyers, Sharks Swim Team
     Chris Linn, Food Drive Leader
   

• Remind Volunteers to check their spam/junk mail folders.

Although VolunteerSpot follows best practices for email deliverability, occasionally, individual emails are captured by spam/junk filters.

• Use a welcoming tone in your Actiivty Description.

The Activity Description is the first thing a volunteer sees when they click the link to sign up to volunteer.  Be sure to formally ASK for help and thank volunteers for thier commitments.  E.g.  Our Fall Carnival Fundraiser is next week - PLEASE HELP us make it a HUGE success by volunteering now. Thanks!!

• If all else fails, call or email the volunteer and agree on an assignment.  We'll send automated confirmation and reminder messages for you!
  

Once the volunteer agrees to help, enter their email address to make an assigment of a job, shift, or item to bring.  This can be done either in the Organzie Now wizard, or by clicking the Status tab in My Activities.

    Sample email message - Pre-VolunteerSpot Invitation:

Thank you in advance for your willingness to help Central Elementary by volunteering at the Book Fair! Funds raised from the Book Fair go directly to purchase materials for our library.

So, you are no doubt wondering, "how do I sign up to be part of the fun?"  Thanks to VolunteerSpot.com, it's easy! Soon, I'll be sending you an email with a link to our online VolunteerSpot signup page.  Please click the link and volunteer for the day and shift that's best for you. Thanks for giving generously of your time so our kids can keep on reading!