Three Tips For Recruiting Volunteers

three_tips_recruiting_volunteers_postThe next time you are in charge of the team’s fundraising efforts, consider the following three tips for successful volunteer recruitment and retention. Volunteers are important members of many fundraising teams, and often play a critical role in the overall success of your fundraiser. The following are a few tips to help you recruit volunteers to your fundraising team.

1. Invite, Don’t Push – You are working hard to support a meaningful and rewarding cause. You feel good about the work you’re doing and you want to share the joy of giving back with others. Remember that when you approach volunteers. Remember that you are inviting them to be a part of something great. Share your feelings with them and ask them to join you.

You’ll have more success recruiting volunteers by inviting them rather than pushing them into helping out, and the ones that you are able to recruit will likely share your passion for the cause.

2. Plan Your Tasks Before You Ask – People are more likely to volunteer if they have a clear idea of what you’re asking them to do. Divide your fundraiser into tasks and make a note of all tasks that require volunteer help. Take the list when you go recruiting and refer to it when asking volunteers. Say things like, “We need a few people to work on setup, and a few to supervise the event. Could you help out with one of those tasks?”

When you give people a clear understanding of the work involved, they’ll be more likely to sign on. Also, you’ll be assured that those who sign on will be up to the tasks at hand.

3. Be a Team Leader – Once you’ve recruited your volunteers, you want to keep them on board and keep them motivated. The best way to do this is to be an effective, well organized, energetic team leader. Let your enthusiasm show at all times, and be there to answer questions or offer support. You are who they will look to for guidance, so be prepared with a smile!

Editor’s Note: A special thanks to efundraising.com for this article.

Most Popular Articles

This website uses IntenseDebate comments, but they are not currently loaded because either your browser doesn't support JavaScript, or they didn't load fast enough.

The Colorado Avalanche and coloradoavalanche.com are trademarks of the Colorado Avalanche Hockey Team, Inc. NHL and the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup are registered trademarks and the NHL Shield and NHL Conference logos are trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. Copyright © 2008 Colorado Avalanche and the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved.