 |  | THE GOOD NEIGHBOR TOOL KIT: IMPROVING YOURSELF AS A VOLUNTEER | | ||
|  Why Volunteer? Getting Started Improving Your Community Improving Yourself as a Volunteer Fundraising Working with Volunteers More Resources Directory: Links to Charitable Organizations | 11 Tips for Volunteer Retention Never take your volunteers for granted; they’re one of your organization’s most valuable assets. Use these strategies to keep them motivated and on your team: 1. Recognize each volunteer as a person. Just as you would with a valued real estate clients, send holiday and birthday cards and add other personal touches.--Dick Gehring, president, Meals on Wheelsof Buffalo [N.Y.] and Erie County 2. Treat all volunteers as customers and continually sell the value of your charity to them. 3. Give volunteers a license to leave. Provide a convenient way to for volunteers to “take a break” if family or business matters get too pressing. If you let them leave with no guilt, they’ll be more likely to come back.--Dick Gehring, president, Meals on Wheels of Buffalo [N.Y.] and Erie County 4. Choose well. Spend time interviewing volunteers to match the right person on to the right job in the beginning.--Linda Doede, director of volunteer service, Chicago Botanic Garden 5. Be sensitive when asking volunteers for money donations. Some respond well, but others get offended that they’re being asked for too much. Instead, consider asking for either money or time.--Gil Gillenwater, 2000 Good Neighbor Awards Winner 6. Institute a “Volunteer of the Year” award and other recognition programs and events to spotlight volunteer contributions. I call all our volunteers regularly to thank them for their efforts.--Jill Rich, 2000 Good Neighbor Awards Winner 7. Let volunteers know about their successes. Obtain photos and stories about the people you have helped and send them to volunteers with a big “Thank You.” 8. If volunteers get discouraged, remind them of what a difference they’ve made in the lives of the people your organization serves. 9. Create a sense of community among volunteers, encourage them to have a meal or coffee together after volunteering. These bonds will help reinforce the volunteer activities. 10. If a volunteer isn't succeeding in one task, promptly re-match them to another activity.--Literacy Volunteers of America, training materials 11. Provide mentors to new volunteers to help them learn the ropes. Seven Tips for working with Volunteers > | |||