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.
In Cincinnati, I had lunch with Jeff Edmondson, managing director of the Strive Network. I was taken by Jeff’s vision of the importance of a multi-sector approach – how his community of Cincinnati is finding that downtown development, education, and virtually every other advance is dependent upon cross-sector collaboration and civic leadership. Building the civic infrastructure to support the success of every child, every step of the way, from cradle to career is the vision of 
If your organization is still resistant to utilizing social media tools, it is time to catch up with the times. Social media has risen to the forefront for businesses to reach consumers and dedicated audiences nationally and globally. Thanks to social media, you can now better inform others about your organization’s mission, recruit more volunteers, and humanize your organization.
with the use of social media. Social media allows your organization to show the communities where it serves while providing immediate answers to questions.
become across the internet. It is important to promote your organization’s events, resources, service opportunities, etc. through social media in order for its popularity to grow.
We hope these 13 reasons convince your organization to jump on board with social media! You will only benefit from starting a social media plan at your organization.
Buffalo was a terrific place to begin our journey across the country to visit with volunteers and citizen innovators. I met with community activists, AmeriCorps members and Alums who are driving civic change in Buffalo with their energy and idealism.
percentage of the jobs retrofitting houses employ community members. Buffalo has one of the nation’s highest rates of home vacancies. A renaissance in Buffalo depends upon citizens banding together to create new approaches to economic development and healthier forms of community. This initiative is a really interesting model of authentic community organizing combined with new green approaches to economic development. It will be fascinating to see how PUSH develops in both its Green Development Zone and in its broader advocacy efforts to influence legislation and systems.
Recruiting volunteers is the first step to a successful volunteer program within your organization. Training your volunteers to be an effective part of your organization is equally important.
and weaknesses.
Volunteers give so much to the causes they serve. It’s no surprise that volunteers are also benefiting from their time spent in service! As you give your time and skills, you will find new people, skills, connections, and perspectives. Read on for a few rewards and opportunities that come to those who reach out in service.
Volunteering helps you develop great friendships. It takes an extraordinary person to love a stranger enough to give your time and skills to them. Some volunteers find that the quality of people they met while volunteering is higher than anywhere else; there is something intrinsically special about people who volunteer.
For most people, summer vacation is a period of relaxation that may include cooking and eating, spending time (at the pool) with loved ones, and giving back to the community. No other season allows us so much time to relax and loosen up a bit. However, that is no excuse to stop doing good. This summer, have a party with a purpose!
