Understanding Volunteers Tree City USA Bulletin 36 What Drives Volunteers to Service? It depends on the individual Recognition Thank volunteers for their efforts. Be generous with gratitude. Volunteers need to be recognized for their work. Many people are concerned about status and prestige Will do well on high visibility projects Design projects to have well-defined outputs Avoid vague or on-going results. Recognize that volunteers need a timely return on their investment. Recognition Ceremonial tree plantings Organize or take part in an Arbor Day Ceremony Suggest that volunteers represent the city at Tree City USA awards event Appear on television or a radio talk show Authorize bylined articles for newspapers and magazines Become a liaison person with government or elected officials, or with corporate officers. Altruism/Public Duty Volunteers are concerned with the general good or public interest. People tend to be idealistic Placing high value on fairness, decisions and learning Tasks well suited for this group: Involving all elements of a community in a project Dealing with conflicting values Addressing community-wide goals Altruism/Public Duty Planning and coordinating large tree- planting events Organizing Arbor Day or Tree City USA award ceremonies Serving on tree boards, and/or liaison positions with city council, planning and zoning, or other units of government. Serving on beautification and appearance committees Developing or improving ordinances Affiliation These individuals need social contacts. They enjoy working with others Forming cohesive partnerships and making friends Being liked is a major concern Have a wish to support others Feel at home in a group Solo tasks are not for them Affiliation Participating in tree planting projects Planning and conducting social events or workshops Selling T-shirts, trees, memberships, etc Developing organizational identity through logos and media promotions Being in charge of volunteer recognition or award events and acting as a liaison with service clubs Achievement The desire to pursue excellence drives these individuals. Concerned about perfection and being innovative May be competitive Volunteers need: Challenging tasks Constant feedback Opportunity to learn and do new things Achievement Liaison w/ local utilities to resolve conflicts involving trees and esthetics Monitoring insect/disease conditions Providing leadership in hazard tree reduction programs Track and improve planting survival Serve as a neighborhood tree warden or as a representative on a tree board Power These volunteers desire to have influence Possessing authority is important They like to be involved in decision making Often feel the need to control others Directing fellow volunteers Enjoy planning Prefer to deal directly with community and political leaders Power Serving as a committee chair or voting member of a tree board Directing tree planting Developing position statements and proposals Serving as a liaison with political figures Helping enforce ordinance provisions Preservation Environmental responsibility is paramount Seek to ensure that programs are eco-friendly Concerned about change Likely to be apprehensive with development Volunteers will excel at teaching Especially about environmental benefits Preservation Developing public education and childrens programs Speaking at service clubs Helping to write and enforce ordinances Serving as a liaison with the parks commission Fund raising Five Steps to Successful Volunteer Management 1.Recruit Effectively 2.Provide Direction 3.Provide Orientation & Training 4.Supervise 5.Thank! Understanding Volunteers