Today’s post comes from Michael Nealis, Interactive Strategy Coordinator with Points of Light. He served as an AmeriCorps member with Volunteer Maryland from 2008-2010. You can read about how AmeriCorps was a turning point for him on the Points of Light blog, and how AmeriCorps helped prepare him for a job he never knew he’d love on the AmeriCorps Alums blog!

Some people don’t think AmeriCorps members should manage volunteers. I disagree.

When I joined AmeriCorps I had never really volunteered. Everything I knew about volunteering I’d learned in journals while doing research in my master’s program.

Volunteer Maryland brings  all of their members together for two weeks to learn how to manage volunteers, how to promote volunteer programs effectively, and how to successfully recruit volunteers. Not to mention all of the other skills you’ll need to run a measurable, successful volunteer program. Plus they keep bringing their members together to make sure they can improve on their skills. Yep, I’m the goofy looking tall guy in the back.

Here are my biggest recruitment take-aways from my first year of service:

1. There is no one right way, so try a lot of different ways!

There is no magic bullet to recruiting volunteers, no single way that has a guaranteed success rate. The best way is every way that you can think of.

Do you want to post a flier at the library? Do it.

Want to get in touch with some reporters to talk about the importance of your volunteer program? When they interview you, ask them to share how to volunteer!

Want to put your opportunities in a volunteer database? Awesome.

Sitting at the bar and don’t know what to talk to the person next to you about? Why not volunteering?

The important thing to remember is that people aren’t going to volunteer with you unless you ask them. Do it whenever you get the opportunity.

2. A warm body isn’t necessarily a successful volunteer. 

Recruiting volunteers is important, but screening volunteers is important too. Screening is important when volunteers will be working with protected populations like the elderly, children or the homeless. It’s important to make sure a volunteer is a good fit for your organization.

If you find out that the potential volunteer isn’t a good fit, let them know. Don’t just drop the conversation with them.

Whenever I had a volunteer that wasn’t quite the right fit I’d let them know, and I’d also give them a list of programs that I knew about that were looking for volunteers that might be a better fit based on what I learned from them during the screening process. That way, their end experience isn’t a ‘no,’ it’s an opportunity they may not have known about!

3. Make everyone in your organization your advocate.

You’re just one person. You can’t talk to everyone yourself.

This is why getting everyone in your organization involved with the volunteer program is important. Try making everyone from the Director on down a passionate advocate not only of the organization, but of the work that volunteers can do with your organization. Make sure everyone knows how volunteers can get involved with the organization!

4. Don’t forget to say thank you (and mean it).

Ever.

Got a phone call about volunteer opportunities? Say thank you.

Had a sit down to find out if a volunteer was a good match? Say thank you.

Volunteer’s first day on site? Say thank you.

National Volunteer Week?

Just a normal day? Say thank you.

Notice a trend?

5. Be flexible.

No matter how well you plan, something is going to happen that you didn’t plan for. Be ready to take it in stride and react well. Try not to freak out too much (a little bit is ok, but don’t let’em see you sweat).

If you play your cards right you can turn it into a big win for your program and your organization.

 

What were your best lessons from AmeriCorps? Let us know in the comments!