Recruiting New Volunteers
To achieve our vision, there are a number of skills we feel are necessary for you to be successful in your role in the structure. From lobbying to volunteer recruitment, retention, and recognition, ACS CAN depends on the skills and ultimate success of its volunteers. Clicking through any of the pages below will provide basic tips of these important skills.
- Volunteer Recruitment
- Volunteer Involvement Tips
- Volunteer Retention Tips
- Lobbying — Be Effective
- Hook, Line and Sinker
Aside from the usual friends and family route, explore other more non-traditional options to build up your teams. Be creative. A few ideas:
- Short Term VolunteersThese volunteers are perfect for activities which are short in duration with a definite start and end date, as well as annual or periodic events.
- Family Volunteering
Many individuals view volunteering as a great chance to do something as a family. With advocacy, this is an important resource to tap, as an entire family telling of a struggle with cancer can be a strong voice. Families would be ideal for periodic volunteering. - College VolunteersIf you live near or are located close to a college town, you are close to a deep well of volunteers. Contact organizations within the college, including social and academic, to present the message of ACS CAN and cultivate an opportunity for increased involvement.
- Virtual Volunteering
Create web pages, email alerts and other sources of web-related involvement, allowing individuals to volunteer from the comfort of a home or work computer. - Volunteers with DisabilitiesIndividuals with disabilities are a vast, but underused, source of volunteer talent. For those unable to be employed, volunteering is a way to participate in meaningful, productive work.
(Source: ServiceLeader.org)
Know what volunteers you need. When someone comes to you wanting to volunteer, know where you might use them.
Be prepared! Know your organization and be prepared to “share the vision” and the specific job responsibilities with your potential recruit.
Be on his/her level. When approaching a potential volunteer, it’s important to be on his/her level in order to relate, e.g., if you are in a farming community, a three-piece suit can be out of place and intimidating.
Ask! Many people may not be interested in your organization or program because they have not had the opportunity.
Celebrate diversity. Diversity (race, gender, religion, socio-economic, age, experience) is important in any volunteer structure.
Reach outside your “comfort zone” for volunteers (other organizations, those outside your social circle, etc.).
Follow through, follow through, follow through!
Share goals. Make sure everyone is on the same page in terms of goals.
Have an action plan. That is the only way to know how to use your volunteers.
Don’t recruit and then not use. Use volunteers in all that you do. Be creative.
Empower them to do their job! Train them, give them the tools/materials they need, give them information they need to represent ACS CAN in their communities, and be a resource for them.
Let them do their job! The job/task may not be done exactly the way you would have done it, but that’s ok. It might even turn out better.
Don’t try to fit them into your “box.” Again, a diverse group comes up with diverse ideas and solutions. Encourage that creativity.
“Titles” often scare people. Give them the job first. Once they see they are able to do a job well, they can more easily accept the title.
Remember that people sometimes like to volunteer for jobs that are different than what they do everyday. Give them that opportunity to express their interests.
Don’t carry “dead weight.” Give the volunteer a graceful way out if they are not able to do the job, or talk to them about a smaller task, perhaps in a different area.
Learn to delegate!
Identify the reason why each volunteer volunteers and then nurture that reason.
Say thank you! Donors should be thanked seven (7!) times before you ask them again. Do the same thing for our most valuable assets — our VOLUNTEERS!
Keep in touch. Write a note to say they”re doing a great job! Don”t communicate with them only when you need something. Send them a holiday card. Give them a quick call.
Build RELATIONSHIPS!!! Relationships build trust. Trust builds honesty. Calling a volunteer once a month does not a make a relationship. Relationship building must be done in person � it cannot be done solely via email or voicemail.
Be there, be accessible, be visible. Try to be available, accessible, and visible to your volunteer team so they know you”re a resource.
Clearly communicate their role and responsibilities during recruitment. The volunteer who knows up front what is expected will be more likely to a) get the job done and b) stay around for a while. Partnership agreements and job descriptions are the best tools for this.
Use the “N” word — “NEED”. Let your volunteers know that you NEED them in order for the program/project/event to be successful.
Recruit the right person. Time crunches often happen where you need to recruit a volunteer quickly. Unfortunately, however, if you recruit the wrong person or don”t take time to train/equip them properly, you end up with the job being done incorrectly and/or b) the job being done by you.
Say “thank you!” (again, and again, and again…)
Research your legislators’ backgrounds, committee assignments, and voting records on health and cancer issues.
Develop relationships with your legislators by routinely visiting, writing, and calling. Let them know you’re a constituent.
Don’t overdo your lobbying. Only write, call, or visit when you have something to say.
Invite your legislators to visit your local cancer center to demonstrate the importance of cancer research funding.
Put a human face to the issue. Lobby with your personal stories and real-life experiences.
Ally with other like-minded groups to demonstrate broad support; collaborate with others.
Don’t forget the media. Getting your message out to them through letters to the editor, op-ed pieces, etc., can influence your legislator and public opinion.
Always be positive and courteous.
Remember to thank each of your legislators for job well done.
