Today’s guest post is written by Joshua Pedersen, CEO of United Way of Frederick County.

Day 1: “Whatever Works”

Failing to be clear and specific when you ask for help is the first step in losing potential volunteers.

Tip: If you want to keep your volunteers around learn to be very specific about what you ask.

Day 2: “Ask Sheepishly”

Asking without confidence and clarity is a quick way to drain the energy from volunteers.

Tip: Be confident on your ask! Begging will not get you very far.

Day 3: “Clone Them”

Although often desirable of great volunteers, an unwillingness to recognize the harness the unique individuality of our volunteers is an excellent way to drive volunteers away.

Tip: Always treat your volunteers like they are special because they are!

Day 4: “Wear Orange”

Confusing our volunteers is key to ensuring their short stay with your organization.

Tip: Always provide direction.

Day 5: “Habla Espanol”

Si no quere retener voluntarios, se puede hablar en una manera de confundir a otros.

Tip: Speak the language of a volunteer. Do not speak in acronyms. Do not assume that they are familiar with the language and culture of your organization.

Day 6: “Give ‘em Sunglasses”

Blinding your volunteers to their role in your organization will certainly limit their engagement with your organization.

Tip: Always work to be transparent and straight forward with your volunteers.

Day 7: “Be a Terrible Trivian”

Giving your volunteers meaningless and trivial tasks will help them find substantial work elsewhere.

Tip: Do not give your volunteers trivial tasks. Make sure the volunteer roles are meaningful.

Day 8: “Give Up”

Preventing your volunteers from flowering will keep them from contributing anything long term to your organization.

Tip: Never give up on your volunteers. It may take a while for you to see them flower but they always do!

Day 9: “Refuse Rarity, Favor Mediocrity”

Failure to recognize the power of volunteers will keep us from saving the world.

Tip: Recognize that volunteers are a rare breed!

“There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer” ~ Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle, leader of the first air raid on Japan in World War II, describing the young men who voluntarily chose to risk their lives on a mission to boost American morale after the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor.

Day 10: “Wait”

If you wait until the 10th to begin the recognition process, they will most likely have already left your organization.

Tip: Volunteer recognition is a process. It is not a static activity.