Various Ways to Get out the Call for Volunteers Message

NY3 - Volunteer Recruiting Checklist Various ways to get out the “Call for Volunteers” message

 Media Blitz - see media list; approx. 25 outlets in Dutchess/Orange; issue a press release o Newspapers (major newspapers and weeklies) o Radio & TV (PSA spots)  Senior Newsletters  Church Bulletins o Catholic Charities o Interfaith Councils  Local Colleges, Universities, BOCES  Volunteer Websites  Retired Teachers groups  Military Retiree groups  RSVP organization  Office of the Aging  AARP Meetings  Posters in Libraries, Senior Centers  Spanish Speaking Community communication vehicles  Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)  Web Sites for affiliated organizations o CA$H o United Way o Etc.  Bank Newsletters; Bank Branch TV Monitors  Email all of your current volunteers asking them to alert their friends to volunteer opportunities with TaxAide  Service Organizations (Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.)  Emails to clients (if you collect email addresses) – looking for them or their friends to volunteer Important Note: In your various recruiting materials, it is generally best to tell potential volunteers to just go to the AARP website to register. This is fraught with many problems since it is difficult to navigate to actual TaxAide registration site; most new volunteers get confused, and often wind up registering for AARP and not for TaxAide. One of the two following approaches is recommended: 1. Have the phone number and/or email address of your ‘new volunteer coordinator’ in the communication. a. This is the preferred method since it allows for some screening of the applicant before they sign up; many times this conversation will determine that there isn’t a good match, and you will save yourself time down the road. b. If there is a good match, then email to the applicant the following link – they can just click on it and it will take them directly to the TaxAide Volunteer Registration Form: https://secure.aarp.org/applications/Volunteer_with_AARP_Tax_Aide/ab outYou.action?jobId=a1oo0000000s8c8AAA 2. Put this direct link in your materials a. This is less desirable because: a.i. It does not allow for pre-screening of the volunteer a.ii. This is a very long link for people to copy down