Chapter 10 – Recruit a Strong and Successful Base of Volunteers
Recruit people to events and activities – not business meetings. Give new members a chance to participate through activities such as passing out information at meetings, working on a neighborhood project, delivering the newsletter, stuffing envelopes, or contacting their friends to come to the next event. These activities serve to make volunteers feel useful and productive. When recruiting to an activity, try to consider the volunteer’s needs. Try to provide childcare, transportation, or a mentor if the volunteer needs it. Enthusiasm is important. Here are six steps to successful recruitment.
1. Be Prepared
Have in mind a mini strategy consisting of how you will explain your goal and what you want the person to do. Review what you know about the person, such as interests, experience, and family. Look and listen as to what interests the person.
2. Legitimize Yourself
You need to gain quick credibility. Find a common background or mutual friend. Explain that you have the same problem that they do. Mention people that they might know. Explain why the person’s participation will make a difference.
3. Listen, Listen, Listen
Draw people out. Ask good questions, provide encouraging remarks, and use body language that says you are interested. Be sure to listen for special skills, useful contacts, and organizational networks that can be useful to your organization.
4. Challenge
Encourage people to produce change. Challenge people to care about neighborhood goals and improvement.
5. Get a Commitment
Never leave a conversation open-ended. Get a commitment with a firm deadline. Write it down, make a note for follow up and clarify exactly what should happen next.
6. Follow-up
There is nothing worse then making a big fuss over people while recruiting them, and then ignoring them once they show up. Have greeters or a welcoming committee at meetings, introduce new people to experienced volunteers, and keep the line of communication between you and your volunteers open at all times.