Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers - Matthew Plumridge - Surrey Community Action

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Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers - Matthew Plumridge - Surrey Community Action
Recruiting &
Retaining
Volunteers
7th March 2019

                 Matthew Plumridge
Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers - Matthew Plumridge - Surrey Community Action
Definition of a Volunteer
Oxford English Dictionary
a person who freely offers to take part in a task:
▪   a call for volunteers to act as foster-parents
▪   a person who freely enrols for military service rather
    than being conscripted
▪   a person who works for an organisation without being
    paid: the railway is operated solely by volunteers

                                             Recruiting &
                                     Retaining Volunteers
Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers - Matthew Plumridge - Surrey Community Action
Definition of a Volunteer
Oxford English Dictionary
a person who freely offers to take part in a task:
▪   a call for volunteers to act as foster-parents
▪   a person who freely enrols for military service rather
    than being conscripted
▪   a person who works for an organisation without being
    paid: the railway is operated solely by volunteers
▪   a plant that has not been deliberately planted

                                             Recruiting &
                                     Retaining Volunteers
Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers - Matthew Plumridge - Surrey Community Action
Does it feel like other
     Organisations…
have:
        -   more resources
        -   more mis-placed plants
        -   more hardy perennials

                                     Recruiting &
                             Retaining Volunteers
Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers - Matthew Plumridge - Surrey Community Action
Does it feel like
the grass is
greener on the
other side?

                            Recruiting &
                    Retaining Volunteers
Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers - Matthew Plumridge - Surrey Community Action
Well …
It’s greener
where you
water it
               Volunteers

                       Recruiting &
               Retaining Volunteers
Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers - Matthew Plumridge - Surrey Community Action
Well…
It’s greener
where you
water it
                 Volunteers
               Build Capacity

                         Recruiting &
                 Retaining Volunteers
Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers - Matthew Plumridge - Surrey Community Action
Strong Volunteer Team
             Recruiting and retaining
             ‘appropriate’ volunteers
Means:
         -    less resources needed
         -    less mis-placed plants
         -    less turnover (volunteers & staff)
         -    less problems to deal with

                                         Recruiting &
                                 Retaining Volunteers
Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers - Matthew Plumridge - Surrey Community Action
It starts
with you

                    Recruiting &
            Retaining Volunteers
Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers - Matthew Plumridge - Surrey Community Action
So, what do you
need to consider?

          well…

                    Recruiting &
            Retaining Volunteers
What are you communicating?

 Volunteers needed
                  Desperately
                  Urgently
What are you communicating?

 Volunteers needed
                  Desperately
                  Urgently
Volunteering is a two way
relationship

 It’s not all about you
 What’s in it for them?

 Think about
 volunteer development
Are you projecting a welcoming
friendly place?
Different styles attract different people

                         is it confusing?
Decide on a campaign strategy
K.I.S.S. Principle
   Keep it:
    - simple
    - targeted
    - manageable
    - cost effective
Decide on a campaign strategy
K.I.S.S. Principle
   Keep it:
    - simple       Posters, leaflets, adverts
    - targeted
    - manageable
    - cost effective
Avoid using internal stuff

Meaningless to others
                   Looks
                   unprofessional
Decide on a campaign strategy
K.I.S.S. Principle
   Keep it:
    - simple
    - targeted Who do you want to attract?
    - manageable
    - cost effective
Targeted approach

                 People like us volunteer

People like me
volunteer
Targeted approach

         Pictures should reflect who you
                          want to attract
Decide on a campaign strategy
K.I.S.S. Principle
   Keep it:
    - simple
    - targeted
    - manageable       time and resource
    - cost effective
Manageable

                  Event badges
                                      Take a stand at a
                                      volunteer fair or
                                      community event

                                 Volunteers
                                 Open Day
Display feature

                                 Find out how you can get involved
                    Handy
                    literature   Hold your own event
Decide on a campaign strategy
K.I.S.S. Principle
   Keep it:
    - simple
    - targeted
    - manageable
    - cost effective   Decide on a budget
                       (it will cost something)
Can prospective volunteers see
your message?

Competing?        Confusing?
                  Proof read everything
Where can you go for help?
Which of these would be

1       best, to advertise for
        volunteers ?

    A            B          C
 Volunteer     Internet   Library
 Centres,
CVS’ & LIO’s
Which of these would be

1       best, to advertise for
        volunteers ?

    A            B             C
 Volunteer     Internet    Library
 Centres,
CVS’ & LIO’s              Don’t die of
                           ignorance
                            (UK leaflet)
Which of these would be

1       best, to advertise for
        volunteers ?

    A               B             C
 Volunteer      Internet        Library
 Centres,        do-it.org
CVS’ & LIO’s   streetlife.com
Which of these would be

1       best, to advertise for
        volunteers ?

    A            B             C
 Volunteer     Internet    Library
 Centres,                 Local Papers,
                           newsletters,
CVS’ & LIO’s               community
                            magazines
Should you use Social
2       Media to attract volunteers?

    A            B           C
Definitely    Depends     ‘Defo not’
              (maybe)
Should you use Social
2       Media to attract volunteers?

    A             B          C
Definitely     Depends    ‘Defo not’
               (maybe)
When should you reach for

3     the application form?

  A            B          C
Straight    Another   Before they
 away         day       leave
When should you reach for

3     the application form?

  A            B          C
Straight    Another   Before they
 away         day       leave’
What is the first question

4       you should ask them?

    A             B           C
When can      How many    How quick
you start?    hours can    do you
               you do?     work?
What is the first question

4       you should ask them?

    A               B            C
When can        How many     How quick
you start?      hours can     do you
                 you do?      work?

             None of the above
So what should you ask?

5
    A            B            C
How can we   What would     What is
 help you?   you like to      your
              get from     timeline?
               this?
So what should you ask?

5
    A              B            C
How can we    What would What is your
 help you?    you like to timeline?
               get from
                this?
             All of the above
Tell them
What you can offer:
    - Trial period (Hurrah)
    - Full training
    - Buddy for them to work with
    - Flexible hours
    - Reference if needed
    - Friendly environment
Tell them
What you can offer:
    - Trial period (Hurrah)
    - Full training (Brilliant)
    - Buddy for them to work with
    - Flexible hours
    - Reference if needed
    - Friendly environment
Tell them
What you can offer:
    - Trial period (Hurrah)
    - Full training (Brilliant)
    - Buddy for them to work with (Great)
    - Flexible hours
    - Reference if needed
    - Friendly environment
Tell them
What you can offer:
    - Trial period (Hurrah)
    - Full training (Brilliant)
    - Buddy for them to work with (Great)
    - Flexible hours (Even better)
    - Reference if needed
    - Friendly environment
Tell them
What you can offer:
    - Trial period (Hurrah)
    - Full training (Brilliant)
    - Buddy for them to work with (Great)
    - Flexible hours (Even better)
    - Reference if needed (OMG)
    - Friendly environment
Tell them
What you can offer:
    - Trial period (Hurrah)
    - Full training (Brilliant)
    - Buddy for them to work with (Great)
    - Flexible hours (Even better)
    - Reference if needed (OMG)
    - Friendly environment
Accentuate the benefits
Link what you offer to what they are looking
for:
     - Meet new people
     - Learn new skills
     - Gain experience
     - Give something back
     - Make a difference
     - Build confidence
Be clear about
Meeting their expectations:
     -   What you don’t offer
     -   What you / they expect
     -   What days / times they can fill
     -   What isn’t allowed
     -   Ongoing support
     -   Expenses policy
Volunteer retention
Relationship is key:
     -   Get to know them
     -   Be genuinely nice / appreciative
     -   Make it fun
     -   Move them around (variety)
     -   Keep them updated on changes
     -   Keep them informed of new developments
     -   Give praise and thank them
     -   Reward your volunteers
Volunteer retention
Relationship is key:
     - Have regular ‘catch-ups’
     - Sort out issues quickly
     - Get rid of troublesome volunteers quickly
Volunteer retention
Relationship is key:
     - Have regular ‘catch-ups’
     - Sort out issues quickly
     - Get rid of troublesome volunteers quickly

    Quick Volunteer Exit = Vexit
Volunteer retention
Relationship is key:
     - Have regular ‘catch-ups’
     - Sort out issues quickly
     - Get rid of troublesome volunteers quickly

    Quick Volunteer Exit = Vexit
           Vexit means Vexit
          (Don’t take them back)
Volunteer retention
Relationship is key:
     - Have regular ‘catch-ups’
     - Sort out issues quickly
     - Get rid of troublesome volunteers quickly

    Quick Volunteer Exit = Vexit
           Vexit means Vexit
          (Don’t take them back)

                    and finally…
Volunteers also like cake

                                    Recruiting &
                            Retaining Volunteers
Questions?

             Matthew Plumridge
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