Tips - Getting and Maintaining Volunteers

Volunteers are Important to Non-Profits

• Time is always an issue and staff always have more duties on their plates than necessary
• Volunteers can handle/relieve some of these tasks
• This makes an organization more effective and efficient

Volunteers are Economically Valuable and Important (Rockford Volunteer Statistics for 2006-2010)

• 61,400 volunteers, 22.9 percent of residents volunteer, over $100 million worth of service contributed

Recruiting Volunteers

• Volunteer jobs need to be meaningful
• There needs to be a foreseen need for a volunteer with a clear impact on the organization
• Treat like any other real job process (job postings, interviews, orientations/training, etc.)

There are Unlimited Volunteer Needs!

• Greeter, office work, food pantry – serving and cashiering, painting/landscaping, arts and crafts, personal/hospice care, homework tutor for kids

Volunteer Recognition/Appreciation

• Can be informal (thank-you cards, t-shirts, etc.) or formal (banquets, award nominations, etc.)
• The goal is to make your volunteers feel a part of your organization