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Strategies for Success with

Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers

Photo by Stella Miller

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Rebecca Richter Program Associate Audubon Chapter Services Photo by Pat Little

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John Loz President Audubon Society of the Capital Region (NY)

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Objectives: Why do people volunteer? Laying the groundwork for

a solid volunteer program Finding volunteers Getting volunteers to come

back Success stories!

Photo by Valerie Thomas

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Why do people volunteer? They were asked Want to make a difference Feel needed and appreciated Its fun! Participate with

friends/family Meet/network with

like-minded people Learn something Fulfill requirement Build resume

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Why dont people volunteer? Werent asked Arent bird expertsor even birders Dont have enough time Dont know how to get involved Cant get to the volunteer site Their skills/time did not seem needed or appreciated They lack interest/enthusiasm for the cause They dont know about your organization They have a poor image of your organization

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Do we LOVE and BELIEVE in what we do?

Organizational vision shared by all leaders

Crystal clear and compelling cause that will INSPIRE others

Promoted with passion and confidence

Each leader is a positive ambassador for the organization

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Research

Learn the latest volunteering trends, recruiting techniques and tools

Interview leaders of organizations with successful volunteer programs

Obtain outside opinions/first impressions of your organization from a variety of audiences

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Be open-minded

Listen more than you talk Dont take things personally Respectfully consider inside and outside opinions

and ideas Be open to seeing things from different perspectives

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Evaluate & Redesign

Conservation projects Educational programming Communications Marketing Outreach Volunteer program

Photo by Mary Anne Romito

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Remove BARRIERS Identify Clarify Address EXAMPLE 1 Barrier: I dont have enough time. Clarify: Not clear on much time is required for the role/task Address: Rewrite description, e.g., 1 hour a week throughout the summer; on your own schedule

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Remove BARRIERS

EXAMPLE 2 Barrier: I dont have enough time. Clarify: The opportunities are always on Saturday mornings, and thats not the best time for the target audience (e.g., millennials). Address: Offer a variety of opportunities at different times and days; and/or offer the incentive of free light breakfast/coffee/snacks

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Organization Needs & Volunteer Job Descriptions

Category of need (communications, marketing, education, conservation, leadership, etc.)

Description Frequency/time

commitment Types of volunteers

needed (i.e., skills)

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Where can you find volunteers?

Photo by Paul L. Noeldner

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Laid the groundwork Found volunteers Volunteers showed up!!! Get them to come

back

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Remember: Why do people volunteer?

They were asked Want to make a difference Feel needed and appreciated Its fun! Participate with friends/family Meet/network with like-minded

people Learn something Fulfill requirement Build resume

Courtesy of Stella Miller

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Thanking

When they sign up to volunteer

When you remind them about their commitment

When they show up While they are volunteering

(a couple of times) When they are leaving After the activity

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Make Them Feel Part of the Team

Offer group training opportunities

Name badges and logo apparel

Special place for them at Center

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Stay Connected

Obtain their full contact information (or at least email/phone) make sure you can read it!

Have them indicate how best to contact (phone, text, email)

Let them know about upcoming events (and have them sign up before they leave!) including non-volunteer events

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Recognize

Various levels of achievement (can be award, gift, and/or name recognition)

National or Regional Awards

Meritorious Service Presidential Great Egret Callison

Publicizing

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Build the Relationship

Its not all work and no play! Get to know them as people Network with one another Opportunity to recognize

service

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Contact info:

Rebecca Richter 800-542-2748 rrichter@audubon.org John Loz president@capitalregionaudubon.org

mailto:rrichter@audubon.orgmailto:president@capitalregionaudubon.org

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