101 volunteer recruitment SECRETS

Revealed by members of the VolunteerMatch community

Designing the Perfect Opportunity Table of Contents

It is important to create a unique resource that makes sense to your Designing the Perfect experience for each volunteer — we organization. If they have a passion Opportunity...... (1) do this with flexible scheduling and for music, give them the freedom to project work tailored to the individual’s create a musically-based program. Spreading the Word...... (3) skill sets and preferences. ~Adrienne ~Paul Ikonen, Hospice Advantage Making the Most Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Social Media and Philosophy change: Instead of Technology...... (4) My recruiting motto is “Block recruiting volunteers by baiting all roads to no.” So here at them in, simply build a program Making a Great 2Big Sunday we offer volunteer that is fundamentally attractive and First Impression...... (5) opportunities for all passions, ages, people will come unsolicited. ~John and neighborhoods (in California), Girdwood, OMIA Increasing performing various tasks from the Engagement...... (6) most simple to the highly-skilled that Make sure your volunteers Showing can be accomplished in anywhere are happy with what they are Appreciation...... (7) from an hour to several days. ~Sherry 6doing. Our Daily Bread checks Marks, Big Sunday in with our new volunteers, and if the Showcasing Impact/ job is not a good fit we offer other Telling Your Story...... (8) No one wants to get sucked in to a opportunities for them to try out. time-devouring commitment. We start ~Christina Garris, Our Daily Bread Engaging All off by defining the amount of their Kinds...... (9) commitment, and once they respond You need to have a variety of we detail how it works and how we volunteer opportunities that suit help to make sure it works. ~Friendly the volunteer’s interest, but most Visitors Program, Visiting Nurse Home important is to listen to new VolunteerMatch is… Care Agency volunteers who speak about what a national nonprofit dedicated they have a passion for. Once you to helping organizations recruit Be a volunteer department that tap into that, they will be glad to fill the volunteers they need. attracts people who share their an event position because they are Register for a free account today at talents and expertise. For instance, also fulfilling their own mission in life. if a person is really good at web ~Ronda Pope, RSVP of Richmond, IN www..org. development, let them develop a web Designing the Perfect Opportunity

Knowing exactly what you are looking My best secret is just to be real — be Help volunteers achieve their for in a volunteer and wording your realistic about who you are as an personal vision by removing barriers opportunity accordingly is important. organization, what you need, and (this doesn’t always mean relaxing Be specific and know what skills creative opportunities for people and expectations or accountability, but are required for a volunteer role and groups to get involved. focusing on eliminating any speed you will help make sure the task is is not just about what we need — it bumps that keep them from creating accomplished and the volunteer feels is about matching your needs with the change they hope to realize). successful in their effort to help your the needs and expectations of the The more in-tune volunteers are with organization achieve its mission. ~The volunteers. Keeping it real goes a long your mission and the more impact Sunshine Foundation of Canada way in finding the best and longest- they help create, the more satisfied lasting matches! ~Janet Soto they are. This drives powerful word- I invite all our volunteers to of-mouth marketing that is worth its take ownership and make the I strongly believe in supporting weight in gold. ~Tobi Johnson, Tobi’s 9soup kitchen their own. If you volunteers in their interest to improve Nonprofit Management Blog don’t like the way the desserts are or add something special or new to arranged, get in there and plate them the volunteer program. It also shows We practice saying “yes” whenever the way you think looks best. This that we care! ~Marisa Martinez volunteers have ideas for ways they approach increases volunteer’s pride can help propel our mission forward. in their contribution and, needless to As I interview each person, I make We meet volunteers where they say, adds to the enjoyment of working a note of what their strengths are are, at their office, place of worship, in a team to help make this world a and learn what they like to do. I school, virtually via Facebook, better place. ~Dean Chavooshian, match their personality and talents VolunteerMatch, our local Volunteer Village Temple Soup Kitchen to a job that fits them and helps Center, United Way. We nurture

We offer volunteers a full range of opportunities to fit their needs and their personal goals for meaningful, supported volunteer engagement. “ ~Roni Kendall, Cancer Connection ”

Make sure the prospective volunteer them feel comfortable, like a unique volunteers’ creativity and take the understands his role on the project member with a unique contribution. time to build one-time projects into a well in advance, before placement. This respect gets them through the deeper commitment to our mission. Sometimes adjustments will be application and training stages and ~Elaine Osowski made on-site depending on the to the stage of actually volunteering, situation, but the manager should hopefully for life. ~Carl Hendricks Ask in such a way that people can assist in developing adjustments. say yes. Offer choice, flexibility, and The community being supported The key for me is listening meaningful involvement. Listen to should also be educated about the to why people want to the volunteers and help them to role of volunteers to avoid wrong 15volunteer and what the meet their goals as well as those of expectations. ~Flument Mkinga, World core of their giving nature is. If a the community so there is a win-win Health Organization (WHO) volunteer comes to me because they situation. Incorporate innovative “want to give back,” it is important for models of volunteering: shared Our volunteer recruitment secret is me to find out why that is. If they had roles, virtual, family, corporate, and letting them know up front what’s a specific experience that is bringing episodic. ~Reva Cooper expected of them and what we will them to us, then I want to try and do to support them. By providing recreate that experience the best I training, sharing the task at hand, and can. If they want to get experience in letting them decide where and when a particular area, then I do my best they want to do an activity, helps us to get them plugged in to that area. keep wonderful volunteers happy and ~Jennifer Berry, Girl Scouts of Greater active. ~Shannon L. Farnsworth Los Angeles

2 101 Volunteer Recruitment Secrets Spreading the Word

I frequently let my current volunteers an undergrad, working in the field organization is to make sure that know when we need additional help or at our offices, we make sure they your name is in the community in a and ask them to spread the word see the difference they make and positive way. It is a wonderful thing among their friends. Good people how they help us fulfill our mission. when you hear someone say, “I hear generally hang around together, ~Deldelp Medina, One Heart World- about that group every where I go.” so this usually works pretty well. I Wide ~Danita Coulter also have a 24-hour turn-around rule. If someone contacts me about It’s important to get out there and be We put bulletin announcements in volunteering, I get back to them no personal, to connect with others and the local church bulletins. ~Marjorie later than 24 hours after they contact let them know about the program and Williams our organization. This doesn’t allow how much volunteers are needed time for their enthusiasm to cool off. and valued. I have found that the A couple of examples ~Joan Malley, Harbor House personal connection is so much better of what I consider to than ads in newspapers. ~Stephanie 30be creative recruiting The officers in the Smith, Surprise Fire Crisis Response are: including a blurb in my realtor’s police department Program newsletter (which goes out to 21are very supportive of thousands of area residents) or the program and they are the best I’ve found that personalized articles posting flyers at ethnic gourmet food recruiters. Building relationships written for the local newspaper have stores for a specific language need. with these people who recruit for attracted volunteers more so than ~Tanya Munro Erway the program is the key. ~Leslie paid advertisements. What I do is Hinton-Montgomery, Kentwood Police write up stories about current or Department recent activities or successes that

If each of your existing volunteers recruited just one new volunteer, what effect would that have on your roster? You do the math! “ ~Tiger Schmittendorf, Erie, NY Fire Department ”

I have found that cultivating personal our volunteers have had and add a relationships with local newspaper tag-line about volunteer opportunities editors and reporters has resulted with the agency, and usually a picture. in terrific results in recruiting new The newspaper is more than happy volunteers—and I always follow up to print the articles — and it’s free. with personalized thank-you cards ~Donna Cobb, United Way of Nevada I create from bluemountain.com. County ~Sharon Fitzgerald, Meals on Wheels, Senior Outreach Services I’ve developed relationships with local We try to work all the angles: digital 27churches, synagogues media, newspaper, radio, word- and community groups, and try to do of-mouth, flyers, presentations, a presentation for one of them at least collaborations with other groups— once a month. This helps to educate community members will eventually people about our mission and work in receive the info, one way or another. the community, and usually results in ~Mountain Mentors Colorado a few new volunteers and a few new donors too! ~Jen Rowles At One Heart World-Wide we use a combination of word-of-mouth, I have found that one of the best social media tools and professional methods for recruiting volunteers is associations. Regardless of whether by branding and word-of-mouth. The they are a medical professional or greatest thing you can do for your

101 Volunteer Recruitment Secrets 3 Social Media & Technology

A proven recruitment technique In fact, these descriptions can serve We use online VolunteerMatch tools leverages other free resources and as a way that potential volunteers can and our social networks. When writing pairs them with VolunteerMatch. self-screen. Those who believe in your the volunteer role description, make For example, post opportunities mission will want to connect with your sure to state the time commitment on Craigslist and direct them to organization. ~Elizabeth Coleman, and the volunteer’s objectives the same post on VolunteerMatch. Mississippi Department of Archives up-front, so that applicants know This promotes your opportunities and History exactly what they’re getting into. to (perhaps) a different audience ~Shannon Harvey than those searching volunteer specific sites and still allows for the efficiencies as it directs potential new Place the volunteer opportunity on all volunteers back to VolunteerMatch websites where potential volunteers — and into your recruitment process. look: in your county, Craigslist, ~Jessica Adams, American Red Idealist.org, VolunteerMatch, My best volunteer recruitment source Cross in the National Capital Region neighborhood listserves, AARP’s is VolunteerMatch.org. I love it! ~Carol Create the Good, serve.gov, and Cookson local universities. All of these efforts are free and have really paid off for us. ~The Senior Connection of Montgomery County, Inc.

Asking followers to repost or retweet opportunities gets the word out to hundreds or thousands of potential volunteers in an instant. Not sure “ how to get started? Recruit a volunteer to set up your accounts and send ” messages for you! ~Elizabeth Meyers, Alexandra House, Inc.

VolunteerMatch is a wonderful tool for Outsource volunteer Volunteer opportunity position us to maximize our efforts to establish management. HandsOn descriptions that detail exactly what local government accountability. 39Network affiliates like kind of help, time and qualifications Our webmaster is a volunteer from New York Cares and Chicago Cares we need have helped tremendously! Volunteermatch. Our response to the will recruit and manage the volunteers Especially because we are not emails generated from our postings for you. Other affiliates will at the very open on the weekends and our shares more info on what we want least provide an easy online forum opportunities in the evening get filled accomplished and the fact that we are for you to recruit and manage the quickly. ~John Malcomson, Asian looking for self-motivated people who volunteers yourselves. ~John Jerger Counseling and Referral Service will not need to be micro-managed. ~Barry Allen, Vanguardians

Build a good foundation and use all 34available resources (VolunteerMatch, State Commission for Volunteer Service, DOVIA, etc.) to recruit. Your volunteer descriptions can make or break recruitment efforts.

4 101 Volunteer Recruitment Secrets Making a Great First Impression

Be there. Answer the phone, go to making them wonder what to expect even if you have to have one on the events, represent your organization from you. Going to a hat-themed day of your event. This gives your everywhere you go, give out your event? Don’t just wear a cool hat. Go volunteers clear direction, lays out business cards, and encourage to the flea market and buy every hat the program guidelines, and most people to call you. Respond to you can find to pin all over your body. importantly, protects your organization VolunteerMatch postings immediately ~Evelyn Harms, RSVP of Central legally. ~Martha Siano when you can. Smile. Be helpful: if Oklahoma you can’t help a volunteer find a slot Ask your volunteers to bring or with your organization, help them Offer free food. Ask current volunteers refer a friend. People tend to enjoy volunteer with someone else. ~Susan to bring friends. Promise everyone volunteering in pairs or groups. It Wolford, Columbus Metropolitan pride of place and deliver in buckets. increases their comfort level and Library Make it special. ~Sarah Torres, UCLA brings more volunteers to the agency. Volunteer Center Also, treat them like friends that are Make your volunteer event like a helping you with a favor, because party. More people will come if there Find a way to offer that’s what they are! Don’t ask them to is punch and pie. ~George Weiner, Do meaningful one-time do something that you aren’t willing to Something 49opportunities. Treat this do yourself. ~Amy Rasor opportunity as your “first date,” and Communication with integrity, honesty ensure you leave the best impression Be excited about the opportunity, and respect, the intention to create with the individual or group. Close provide details, and be visible at the a win-win situation for all involved, a your time with the individual or group event. Let your enthusiasm for your positive giving attitude, and gratitude! with the suggestion of regularly- organization shine through and have ~Geeta Sangha, Drishtee Foundation scheduled opportunities and be leaders from your nonprofit working

The four F’s: Have a Friendly, Fun staff so prospective volunteers like you, and ply them with Free Food whenever possible. ~Mark Fallon, Briar Bush “ Nature Center ”

I’ve found that a personal “ask” works prepared to provide an application alongside the volunteers. It helps that far better than a general appeal by and some specifics on your greatest they see everyone working for the e-mail or in a newsletter. There’s needs. ~Pam Howard Gordon cause together. ~Christine Lott something about the level of human contact involved that makes your I follow up with anyone who has If we’re not having fun in request more likely to succeed. ~John expressed interest. When we pursuing our goals, who Hopkins, Green Mobility Network post about an upcoming event on 55the heck’s going to want Facebook and people “like” it, I to hang out with us in the first place? Match passion with immediately send them a message ~Bob Toye purpose and volunteer asking if they are interested in 45yourself! ~Barb Cooke, volunteering. ~Stephanie Rokich Simple: free lunch. ~Jes Matta Partners in Care Use humor and creativity. One I use We use Skype to conduct After I receive the volunteer from is, “You got me at Hello” Our Volunteer comprehensive interviews ensuring VolunteerMatch, I treat each person Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site that both parties are clear on the with respect — it is a precious needs Greeters. Use something expectations. We also give new they are giving. I make sure they know catchy — it makes people smile and applicants the contact details of we appreciate and value their time. let’s them know we’re not all business. previous volunteers (with their ~Virginia Norris, Procare Hospice ~Jo-Lyne Ryker permission!) and this works very well, as the new applicants hear the My secrets are laughter and keeping Put together a volunteer training “real” experience as opposed to the people wondering what I will do next! manual. Don’t let anyone volunteer if organization’s version. ~Noeleen Keep your volunteers smiling by they will not attend a training session, O’Callaghan

101 Volunteer Recruitment Secrets 5 Increasing Engagement

My newest board member was in the Each volunteer we have is a special the organization together, which is audience at a recent presentation gift that we have received. I try to both efficient and inspiring in that that I did. He had a lot of questions get to know them all so that we can they meet a variety of board and during the Q&A and they were good put their special to work for us. staff members at once. ~Katherine questions. I found out who he was By being open to suggestions and Wertheim, Werth-it and where he worked from the letting volunteers use their own good and Consulting for Nonprofit group facilitator and called him. He judgment within our guidelines, they Organizations is now on the board, fired up to help become invested in our mission and our organization and has already they keep coming back. ~Joan Malley, We make sure recruited another top-notch board Harbor House our volunteers are member! ~Shalle Wolff, American Red 67appreciated, feel cared- Cross Relationship skills are of utmost for and have somebody on their side importance in all volunteer to assist them whenever they need It’s about relationships. Period. ~Mary management: listening to what people help. Currently, most of the volunteers Gossett want from this experience, giving we get are sent by our former feedback as they begin their work, volunteers. We give them respect, and Many of our volunteers first received validating their contribution, providing that makes our volunteer return or support from our organization when support as they meet challenges, recommend somebody else to come they were diagnosed with cancer, and and expressing gratitude in all the and volunteer with us. ~Benjamin once they are out of treatment, many ways you can, as often as you can. Milk, Youth Volunteer for Change decide to volunteer. We do our best to We don’t need high volume here, (YVC) ensure they receive the best support rather long term commitment. ~Edith when facing a tough time so that McLeod, Kaiser Permanente Hospice

We have a large target list of people who may be interested in volunteering but have yet to take action. We make personal phone calls to these people “ throughout the year to spur action. ~Jeff Grandy, Child Focus ”

when they are finished with treatment, I work for New Hope Hospice and Providing opportunities that are they want to be a part of the individuals must undergo a lot one-time, one-day or short events is organization as a volunteer. ~Friend of paperwork and submit certain a way to get your name out there to for Life Cancer Support Network credentials necessary to becoming volunteers. Then make sure they are a volunteer. I made the process very provided clear instructions and have We keep contact info organized and simple so that anyone a great time. This helps them get over of the referrals and add can become a volunteer with very their initial fear of becoming obligated 62them to our e-newsletter little effort. Putting together a simple to an organization. It also hooks them list, donor list, and volunteer program might take days, weeks or into your organization and leads them opportunities list. This will lead to months, but in the long run it will save to ask about other upcoming events repeat volunteers that understand you lots of time, and once you have and ways to help! ~Monica Mora- the organization and in turn they those volunteers they will stay, saving Handlos can be good spokespeople in the you more time and money. ~Kim Cool, community about what we do. Also, New Hope Hospice once volunteers know who we are and have had great volunteer experiences, The most difficult volunteers to they will have the basis and the recruit are good board members information on how to support the who will fundraise. I have nonprofits council financially. This builds a cycle use current board members to meet of volunteerism for our organization. prospects, and I also suggest having ~Christine Ritch, Girl Scouts a small gathering at someone’s home Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont for all the prospects to hear about

6 101 Volunteer Recruitment Secrets Showing Appreciation

We offer volunteers a true connection Our volunteers are our most valuable them — they are the best way to and ownership of the Center, and asset. They are our eyes, ears, recruit volunteers. I also guarantee acknowledge their contributions hands and legs to getting our work a positive and rewarding experience and impact towards its success with accomplished and we couldn’t in which volunteers will have a direct a unique benefits package which operate without them. We value our impact on our organization. ~Caitlin includes free membership and ticket volunteers and strive to make sure Powell benefits to the season’s hottest that they know it. We take the time performances. Our best recruitment to fully recognize our volunteers on Volunteers are not tool is the enthusiastic volunteer our website, in our newsletters and “free,” we pay them who gushes about the rewards of every chance we get. ~Shauna Ewing 79with conversation and volunteering with us: the sense of Libsack, Star Legacy Foundation listening. ~Diane Cameron family and belonging, encouraging others to do the same. ~Adrienne Volunteer recruitment is like donor I treat each person with respect, Arsht Center for the Performing Arts solicitation. If you work for a nonprofit, realizing they do not have to give I’m sure your organization has a their time—it is a precious gift they We hold once-a-month info sessions donor stewardship plan that includes are giving. I make sure they know we and have an organized, interesting thank-you letters, thank-you phone appreciate and value their time. I treat national training curriculum. We hold calls from Board Members, birthday them each as a unique, intelligent great volunteer appreciation parties to cards, holiday cards, and appreciation professional. ~Carl Hendricks show our love. We’re fun, friendly and events. A volunteer stewardship plan always available. ~Casa Baltimore is just as important, especially since your volunteers are also prospective donors. ~Rene Bouchard

Gratitude has always worked for me. Volunteers are the most amazing people in the world because they help for free. I make sure my volunteers “ know they are appreciated and that, without them, I probably wouldn’t ” exist. ~Gail Ferguson Smith

Volunteers at KC’s Botanical Garden We have many “mandatory” are encouraged to come to the volunteers here at our food pantry Gardens on their day off to just have and thrift store from the courts and fun. Once a year we started having high schools. They often return a Volunteers’ Family and Friends get as volunteers because they are in Free Day so they can show off the appreciated and know that they are fruits of their labors. Some people helping others. ~Anita Duffany Hill love the Gardens so much they Ciulo decide to volunteer too. We’ve had two friends, a niece and a daughter, When someone offers to help me in sign up! ~Connie Harclerode, KC’s my work, I very readily allow, rather Botanical Garden welcome him along with his ideas. I share my difficulties and request I have found that suggestions. This makes the person being sincere in my feel included and very connected with 73appreciation lets my my work. ~Vishakha Purandare volunteers know how necessary they are to the Sanctuary. Finding each Ultimately what I find most important person’s strengths and encouraging is to smile and thank the current them to grow helps both the volunteer volunteers I have and develop and the animals. ~L. Landmesser, friendships and relationships with Le’Land’s Heart Sanctuary

101 Volunteer Recruitment Secrets 7 Showing Impact/Telling Your Story

I remember when my 4th grade mailing brought in, how many clients Focus on what motivates teacher asked me to volunteer where served, etc. All those statistics the recruit and explain during recess to help the two new you collect help tell your story. ~Mary 89the benefits. This will Vietnamese students practice their Friend, Ronald McDonald House of help them to see the impact of their English. I gained two new friends, Indiana participation on a larger scale. Be they learned a little more English, and honest and open to suggestions I learned at a young age that I could Our primary recruitment secret because a satisfied volunteer will make a difference and contribute is passion for what we do—it’s become your organization’s best in a positive way to change lives. contagious. At the moment, we only recruiter. ~Latoya Palmer I try to always keep that in mind have one permanent employee and when recruiting volunteers — that about 20 individual contractors, My secret to keeping volunteers is a I am offering them an opportunity everything else is handled by one-on-one orientation telling them to learn more about themselves volunteers. Volunteers are our the history of the animal and and an opportunity to change lives. foundation, and they know that they how much we rely on volunteer help. Who wouldn’t want to reach out for are part of a very positive solution Then I do a weekly email newsletter that? ~Rachel Mertz-Rodriguez, process. ~Candy Schumann, Spay including which dogs and cats were Giving+Learning Program Neuter Action Project (SNAP) adopted, new arrivals, thank-you’s to whoever helped out that week, and At Our Saviour’s Having a cause for people to become any other news as a way to keep Housing, I always make passionate about. ~Team Heart people connected to the shelter and 83time for tours of our show them that their volunteering homeless shelter. I offer them during makes a difference. ~Peggy Bush

Make current volunteers the face of the organization. That allows the potential volunteer to think to themselves, “If they can do it, why can’t I?” “ ~Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange Country, NY ”

volunteer projects and interviews, Cultivate word-of-mouth (WOM) when people bring , or any marketing by communicating the time people just express curiosity. value of volunteering. Help potential During tours I highlight the impact volunteers understand how their own volunteers have on our work. Visitors hopes, dreams, and commitments are so moved and impressed by our to a specific cause can be fulfilled in work that they often call me first when partnership with your organization— they’re looking to volunteer. ~Colleen this means communicating clearly O’Connor, Toberman Our Saviour’s and concisely what your organization Housing or program’s purpose and impact are in recruitment materials—this helps The best way to recruit enthusiastic people quickly assess whether or and committed volunteers of all ages not this is the right place for them is to have a simple, clear, and worthy to change the world. ~Tobi Johnson, mission that everyone knows. ~Judy Tobi’s Nonprofit Management Blog M. Judd, Plowshares Peace and Justice Center

Tell your story about how people can make an impact. Even volunteers who stuff envelopes make an impact, you just need to find a way to show them. Tell them how much money the

8 101 Volunteer Recruitment Secrets Engaging All Kinds

Most high schools and many colleges and door prizes. If a current volunteer I suggest they ask the Society of have service learning and community refers a friend, that volunteer’s name Hispanic Professional Engineers. service requirements. Contact local goes in a drawing for a gift certificate. ~Katherine Wertheim, Werth-it schools and get listed with the This give us an opportunity to do Fundraising and Consulting for coordinator. Come up with mini capital hands-on training with students at Nonprofit Organizations projects for school service projects, the same time. Getting the students Bar/Bat Mitzvah projects and Scouts excited is the key. They love the Students are the key! I live in a projects. Also, many corporations atmosphere and sharing their talent college town, so we have a gigantic give employees paid time off to do to make a difference in a child’s resource in our front yard. I speak community service. Look around at experience. ~Nancy Kaufman, Mid- at volunteer fairs at the university local large companies. ~Mark Fallon, Michigan Children’s Museum as well as connect with fraternities Briar Bush Nature Center and sororities who usually have Have recruitment booths at Starbucks, mandatory community service hours. I like to recruit volunteers Savemart, Colleges, children’s Once students like your organization over 50 years old. fairs and events that allow you to and love volunteering, the word of 93They can share great ask for help from a broader group mouth flows through the school, and experiences, insights and maturity in of volunteers. A better chance to you will have a lot of great volunteers life. They also make great mentors. find people with a variety of skills donating time to your organization. ~Marco Meneses, Chronic Disease and different perspectives. ~Sierra ~Ashlee Dixon Prevention at Broward County Health Nonprofit Department

We’ve had great success recruiting skilled volunteers who are interested in using their skills for good. We’ve had people volunteer to help with “ Adwords, HTML coding, marketing vision, etc. ~Emma Bundy, GreatNonprofits ”

Girl Scouts of Black Diamond uses We tailor our communications to the Charleston Area Alliance as a various target audiences, such My nonprofit takes way to network with many other as spouses of deployed, those in advantage of the businesses to grow our corporate between jobs, high school students, 101youth and energy recruitment, but we have found having soldiers and retirees. It’s about letting of college students who are always smaller gatherings with those involved the prospective volunteer know what’s looking for that extra something to do. in the Alliance is more productive. We in it for them, how this is a win-win Those that come on board with us are make better relationships, network situation for all involved, getting them natural recruiters and always bring with more people — not only for their behind what we do, and getting them more. We never lack for a healthy corporation, but for their individual to love it as much as we do! ~USO volunteer network! I love college kids! volunteer opportunities — and get Fort Riley ~Dana Eicher Armstrong a better sense of what they are looking for in volunteer opportunities. I tell nonprofits to reverse-engineer ~Nathan Michael Gregorich, Girl the process and decide first what Scouts of Black Diamond they’re looking for, not who they know. I have them look at recruiting As the Volunteer Coordinator for from other organizations where they a children’s museum my favorite might not think to look: for example, recruitment tool for high school if they need diversity on their board students is to have an open house and a treasurer, I suggest they ask and make it fun! I invite students from the National Association of Black all local schools to play gallery games Accountants for recommendations. in the museum, with refreshments If they need Latino professionals,

101 Volunteer Recruitment Secrets 9