From microvolunteering to deeper engagement opportunities, these strategies will get more members excited about stepping up—and staying.
Recruiting volunteers can be tricky, especially when you realize you’ve been asking the same people and are at risk of losing them to burnout.
Taking steps to attract and keep more member volunteers requires effort, but not as much as starting from scratch with a blank volunteer roster. Here are five ideas to consider when thinking about how your association can increase your volunteer health score, which takes into consideration the satisfaction level of your volunteers, how many volunteers your organization has ready to help, and the level of willingness volunteers have to dive in.
1. Microvolunteering.
Microvolunteering is the concept of offering small, noncommittal opportunities to help the association. It’s essentially the “many hands make light work” approach. These short assignments can lighten the load and prevent burnout in chapter leaders or others while still building the volunteer habit in members. Teaching staff and volunteer leaders how to recruit helpers and delegate tasks is key to success. Make sure they know asking for help isn’t a sign of slacking or weakness. It’s the mark of a leader who provides opportunities for others to pitch in and make a difference.
2. Upselling deeper involvement.
When team members effectively delegate and recruit helpers for smaller volunteer tasks, certain people will stand out in the crowd. Helping your leaders learn how to identify qualified volunteers who might enjoy deeper involvement is a great way to keep these valuable players on the volunteer roster, and keep the roster growing.
“A well-run program that has a streamlined volunteer experience will usually be more successful at keeping members in the pipeline than one that provides a bumpy or poor experience.”
