Last week I wrote about volunteering and how important it is to the community. I noted how a school car wash had only 5 adults doing the work. With a good group of participants most people can find themselves in a position that utilizes their talents, or they learn new skills as the needs are presented. But there is always the consistent problem of low volunteer turnout. Because of this, there is another certain predicament during which volunteers cannot leave. Imagine that. There are a few people I've spoken to on various boards who are unable to resign because they can't find new people to take a turn.
People do want a change of pace and desire to step down, especially if they have been involved with a non-profit for years, even decades. It can be simple at times, for example, when your child ages out of a group, you can hand the baton to the parents with younger kids. Selling your home and moving is also an option. (Kidding.)
But getting back to the issue of recruiting enough volunteers can be a tricky one.
In my own experience, I will refrain from joining a group if people do not ask for help. If they look as if they have it all under control, why should I bother? Some people are just control freaks and chase away the meeker ones who could be loyal and hard working. Have you ever sat on a board and couldn't get a word in edgewise? Even with Robert's Rules of Fairness? Does any of this sound familiar?
How do you get more folks to join your cause?
1- Invite them. A personal request, face to face. A generic announcement in the newspaper or church gathering isn't always going to work. Make the request heartfelt. Talk about why you are involved. Your story becomes their story. Relevant experiences that are shared are moving and meaningful.
2- Give people time options so they can take turns or shifts. Don't make people feel bad if they have to limit their time for other commitments.
3- Give current volunteers different jobs so they can get a taste of all the needs/tasks. No one wants to be the dish washer at every covered dish supper. Accountants don't always want to be the treasurer. Maybe they'd like to use their underutilized people skills and provide companionship or greet the public. Don't assume someone likes the same job. While some do, you won't know unless you ask.
4- Stop being a control freak. Receive new ideas and be willing to talk about them. Things tried in the past may not work, but let people know why and discuss it anyway. Control freaks chase away a lot of good help. If you happen to be the control freak who is doing most of the work, you are not trusting others, and you are a poor trainer. Letting people know how do perform certain tasks in a teaching style of communication rather than a critical style will be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
5- Shy people: speak up so the control freaks don't make you crazy. Do it nicely, of course. Control freaks seem to need a lot of building up. It's hidden under all their makeshift armour they've layered up over years of perceived failure or rejection. You are probably shy because it's your opinion that it's not worth the trouble to speak up. But speak up anyway. Be assertive. Be brave and discover the pleasures of your new experiences in a worthwhile volunteering endeavor.
6- If you ask businesses for help/donations, gee whiz, be loyal patrons of their businesses. Business owners enjoy gushing over familiar faces. But a stranger who walks in with a charity request is not often received well, because it happens constantly. And DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT send a marketing person in or make a cold call. Professional marketers are a big turn off. The actual volunteers who are doing it for free should be making the requests. One more thing: Give business owners a heads up before you need the money. Don't send in someone in the next five minutes to pick up a check. That is just rude. Give them a week at least. You have a budget, and they have a budget. Paying the employees by Friday is a priority over your fundraiser.
7- Volunteers generally help each other out, build friendships that go beyond the volunteer experience, and thank each other often. Do unto others as you would have done unto you.The truth is, people with big hearts really desire to help out. While the needs are high, I believe local communities have plenty of people available to help out. These unknown helpers may feel they don't have the time, talent, or awareness of what is needed around them. And it's just painful to step out of the old comfort zone.
Comfort Zones Be Gone!
Keep working on it. After all, it is work, but it can be inspiring work.
