Looking to pump up your volunteer base this year? It's easy with these ideas for volunteer managers and coordinators:
1. Recruit more volunteers. The key to finding more volunteers this year is meeting them where they're at - online! Try some of these recruitment trends changing the face of volunteerism:
- Engaging welcome videos
- Welcoming and interactive website
- Free online signups
- Active social communities
Related: 10 Ideas for Volunteer Recruitment
2. Don't lose the personal touch. Saving time communicating and coordinating online does not mean that the personal touch of joining together to help others goes out the window. Still find ways to commune and bond with volunteers offline:
- Coffee and donuts before service projects
- Hand-written thank you notes
- Encouraging new leaders in new roles
- Sharing photo albums and slideshows from volunteer events
Related: 5 Fun Ways to Capture Memories Online and Off
3. Engage more volunteers. Keeping the volunteers you find can be a real roadblock for many volunteer managers. Find creative and new ways to involve and engage volunteers so they bond with your group's mission and remain active and loyal for years to come:
- Find volunteer jobs to fit many schedules
- Offer online volunteer opportunities for people to do from home
- Encourage volunteers to become leaders themselves
Related: Tracking and Measuring Volunteer Engagement
4. Practice better volunteer appreciation. This year might be the year to put a bit more effort into thanking your volunteers for the time, talents and commitment they offer to their schools and communities. It's easy:
- Send regular thank you notes (handwritten or online)
- Use apps and online tech tools to say thanks & share rewards
- Sleuth out creative, DIY appreciation gift ideas on Pinterest
- Throw an annual volunteer appreciation party or potluck
5. Be more social: As mentioned above, active social communities are key for staying visible in the feeds and lives of potential and current volunteers. Facebook, twitter and instagram are great for:
- Publishing upcoming volunteer opportunities and events
- Linking to online signups and volunteer calendars
- Recognizing and thanking special volunteers and groups
- Keeping in touch with current and potential volunteers
Related: Using Facebook for Volunteer Engagement
