We loved seeing the 66% increase in people choosing “The Dreaded Stairs” over the escalator after the stairs were made more fun in this video.

It got us thinking… if we made a conscious effort to make our volunteer projects more enjoyable for volunteers, would we see a 66% increase in the number of volunteers who return to the project the next time it occurs?

Seems like a theory worth looking into, right?!

Here are a few ways to make your volunteer project more fun:

1.  Foster Introductions.  Most of us enjoy meeting new people.  Consider starting the project with an activity that introduces your volunteers to at least one new person.  Try adding an ice breaking activity to the opening moments of your project.

2.  Play Music.  If your project involves physical activity, like landscaping or painting, consider adding a soundtrack!  Imagine your volunteer crew singing along and / or adding dance moves to the day.  What fun!

3.  Break Bread. Consider taking a break for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack.  People connect with each other at meal times.  If you don’t have the budget to provide refreshment, try making the project a potluck.

4.  Create Conversation. We humans love to connect with one another.  Consider building in a closing conversation where your volunteers can discuss the difference they made, concerns they may have and next steps they’d like to take.  (We know it sounds serious – but it really is fun!)  You can find ideas for building group reflection into your project here and here .

5.  Make Memories.  Take photos and / or video of your volunteers at work and share the results on Twitter and Facebook.  Your volunteers will have fun commenting on the memories made.

6.  Celebrate! Consider closing your project with a celebration of the accomplishments your volunteers made.  This could be a celebration at the project site or a meet up at a local restaurant afterward.

Enjoy!