Volunteers -
Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers
Attracting volunteers to your organisation
- List 'what's in it for them’ - it may
be a reference, something to add to their CV, training,
meeting new people, personal satisfaction, helping a cause
they believe in or learning new skills
- Tell them if you have benefits particular
to your organisation that provide an added benefit eg. reimbursements
for travel expenses, monthly get-togethers for staff and
volunteers, lunchtime walks in the park etc
- Think creatively about your volunteer roles
- divide tasks into 'projects' and think about which tasks
could be done by which volunteers
- Be flexible about the timing of involvement
- Look for shorter commitment - more project-based
tasks
- Make it easy to get involved - minimise
the screening or induction. Invite the volunteer in so that
you can meet them and tell them more about the position.
If you are happy that they can perform the role and they
are still interested in helping you then set a time for
them to start
- Make your job description sound interesting
- Involve the volunteer in evaluating the program
to improve and develop it
Retaining Volunteers
Volunteer Welcome Pack
A volunteer welcome pack is an important aspect of volunteer
management that gives the volunteer important information
pertaining to their exciting new role. Things it might include
would be:
- A copy of their job description
- A personal welcoming letter from your Club
President or CEO
- A list of staff in your organisation and
their roles and responsibilities
- Information on upcoming training course
dates and costs
- Reimbursement information for out-of-pocket
expenses
- Copies of relevant legislation/policies
ie:
An important aspect of volunteer recognition
is to listen to the concerns of your volunteers. Listed below
are some strategies that you can implement to help retain
your valuable volunteers:
- Show appreciation and recognise your volunteers
- value their contribution - e-cards
- Office
for Volunteers Certificate of Recognition
- Give feedback and get (and listen to!) feedback
- Give volunteers ownership/responsibility
of a particular project
- Provide on-the-job training
- Provide clear job descriptions
- Enable your volunteers to have input into
the planning phase
- Allow your volunteers to develop their roles
in areas that are of particular interest to them
- Include them as part of your team
- Introduce volunteers to each other
- Don't undercut your volunteer's confidence
- look at mistakes as learning exercises
- Be flexible - ensure your volunteers know
that you are prepared to adjust their volunteer work to
suit their schedules
- Assist your volunteers in accessing training
and development opportunities
Help with choosing the right people checklists, interview questions, job descriptions, questions for referees, suitability checks etc.
NSW Commission for Children and Young People
Recruiting coaches and officials
Information on screening and selecting volunteers or paid staff.
Australian Sports Commission
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Volunteer Management Program (VMP)
The aim of the VMP is to develop excellence in volunteer management
policies and practices in sport and recreation organisations.
This program adopts a human resource approach to volunteer
management and encourages sport and recreation organisations
to take a strategic perspective in managing their volunteers.
The program focuses on good practice across a range of volunteer
management issues that enhances the value of volunteers in
a range of important areas in sport and recreation organisations.
The program provides both training and resource
booklets on the following volunteer management topics:
- Recruiting volunteers
- Recruiting volunteers
- Managing event volunteers
- Volunteer management policy
- The volunteer coordinator
- Volunteer management: a guide to good practice
For information on purchasing the resources:
Publication Services
Australian Sports Commission
PO Box 176
Belconnen ACT 2616
Phone: +61 2 6214 1915
Fax: +61 2 6214 7995
Volunteer management courses are co-ordinated
through the Office for Recreation and Sport and delivered
in regional and metropolitan areas. Local Government, clubs
and associations can book training on any of the modules for
a fee.
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