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How do I recruit volunteers?

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So we have to be honest; few people really like asking others to help them. So, looking for volunteers can sometimes be a challenging job, especially because of how time-consuming it is. Sadly, this truth often leads recruiters to look for just anybody to get the job done. This is not the best approach by any stretch of the imagination! Following is a much better way to plan on recruiting volunteers.

• First, define the job. Decide exactly what you need.
• Next, determine the necessary job qualification of the person who is to fulfill this need for you. Remember, recruiting volunteers is no different than hiring for a paid position; it takes the same planning and care to be effective.
• Then, figure out your list of candidates for the job. This is where you will use recruiting techniques to find interested (or soon-to-be interested) people.
• Next, interview the candidates. And do it for the same reasons that you would interview individuals for paid positions. This isn’t just to find out if they’re “good enough”; it’s to strategically analyze their strengths and weaknesses so that you can place them where they will be most effective.
• Finally, appoint your volunteer. Come alongside your volunteer, help them gain confidence in their position, and help keep them satisfied.

So where do you find your possibilities for volunteers? How do you interest people? First of all, consider the available pools of people in your area, and figure out where you’re going to focus most of your recruiting efforts.

The recruiting efforts themselves vary immensely; and you can use whichever ones you feel will work best for you. However, it is a good idea to try to use at least three different types of media, so that you can reach a variety of kinds of people. There are those traditional and proved methods, like flyers and news coverage. There are ways of approaching people in groups, like speaking during a student club meeting or a town hall gathering. You can use technology and send out email blitzes, or you can use more creative approaches; dressing up as a character or holding field games one warm afternoon is sure to interest people in what you’re trying to do. Of course, your best recruitment method of all will be satisfied volunteers.

Next Page: Should I accept anyone's offer to help if I really need volunteers?

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