 |
 |
THE GOOD NEIGHBOR TOOL KIT: WORKING WITH VOLUNTEERS |
|
||
|
 Why Volunteer? Getting Started Improving Your Community Improving Yourself as a Volunteer Fundraising Working with Volunteers More Resources Directory: Links to Charitable Organizations |
10 Tips for Recruiting Volunteers · Build a good reputation in the community. If people feel you provide quality, worthwhile service, and see value in your program, they’re more likely to volunteer.--Dick Gehring, president, Meals on Wheelsof Buffalo [N.Y.] and Erie County · Share your enthusiasm for the organization; it’s contagious. · Build in flexibility to meet the schedules of different groups. · Get creative. Look for unlikely places for your volunteers. For example, talk with a local community college about requiring students in social service or nursing to volunteer a certain number of hours for class credit. Don’t assume that all volunteers have to be like you. · Ask your clients. Tell them about your volunteering projects and get them involved.--Jill Rich,2000 Good Neighbor Awards Winner · Think corporate. Contact businesses in your area that might be willing to let employees take off lunch hours or afternoons once a month to volunteer.--Dick Gehring, president, Meals on Wheels of Buffalo [N.Y.] and Erie County · Think family. Encourage volunteers to bring along their children, if the type of volunteer activity permits it. This allows volunteers with children to participate and helps foster the idea of volunteering in the next generation.--Karen Brown, 2001 Good Neighbor Awards Honorable Mention · Remind people how fortunate they are and encourage them to give back some of that to the community. But don’t try to make them feel guilty.--Ronald Phipps, 2001 Good Neighbor Awards Honorable Mention · Look for people who already have an orientation to give back and who are active in other civic or charitable groups.--James Hay, 2001 Good Neighbor Awards Honorable Mention · Look beyond a volunteers’ formal credentials to their potential capabilities.--Katherine Noyes Campbell and Susan J. Ellis, The I Don’t Have Enough Time Guide to Volunteer Management,Energize Inc., 1995 · Cultivate new volunteer sources: Our community sponsors an annual multi-week training program for future community leaders. During these Community Leadership Involvement Means a Better Community sessions, local business people as well as representatives from the Air Force base and the university learn first hand about public and private resources in our community that can be used to help others. After the training, they must commit to doing one year of volunteer service for a community organization of their choice. Being part of CLIMB has become a status symbol in our community and helped us develop a great pool of volunteers and community leaders. It’s also a great way to network with the key people in your community.--Craig Conant, 2001 Good Neighbor Awards Winner Great Places to Look for Volunteers > |
|||