Volunteer Management Conference 2013

GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT:

VOLUNTEER SATISFACTION & RETENTION

THROUGH PERSONAL GOALS

CAVAN GAHAGANSENIOR LEARNING CENTERS MANAGER

MINNESOTA LITERACY COUNCIL

Who our volunteers are and why they volunteer

What we have to offer as a volunteer outlet

How to apply their goals to our volunteer needs

Translating that into happier and committed volunteers

WHAT WE WILL

BE TALKING

ABOUT TODAY

RetireesService learners/college students

Community members/neighbors

Church membersNumerous others

WHO ARE OUR VOLUNTEERS?

Teaching experienceHelping their community & neighbors

Gaining more intercultural competence & understanding

Feeling like they’re help someone or with something

Many other reasons

WHY DO THEY VOLUNTEER?

“The best way to find

yourself is to lose yourself in the service

of others.” * M

OH

AN

DA

SG

AN

DH

I

WE DO NOT ONLY SERVE NOR ONLY BENEFIT STUDENTS.

Staff

VolunteersStudents

NOT Staff Volunteers Students

THIS!

1. Motivate your volunteers by learning their goals for volunteering

2. Realize what great benefits your volunteers can get from their service

3. Highlight those benefits every day!

3 KEY POINTS

1

THE BIG QUESTION =

WHAT’S IN IT FOR THEM?

Volunteer’s Goal: Staff’s Support:

“I want to get more teaching experience before teaching abroad.”

“We need a teacher every Monday! And Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday!”

“This is my neighborhood, so I really want to help my community and know it better.”

“José works at the restaurant up the street. Have you tried it yet?”

“I don’t know too much about other cultures, but I want to learn.”

“You have to try Maryan’s sambusas! They’re fantastic!”

“I love helping people to read!” “Here is a great book of stories. Could you sit with David and read one?”

“I need volunteer experience for my résumé. Could I use you as a reference?”

“Hmmm, you’ll do my bidding, you say?”

KNOW THEIR GOALSTO PLAN YOUR SUPPORT

2

KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE

TO OFFER

Multitude of teaching and classroom experienceWorking with people from diff erent countries or a variety

of culturesTrainings and opportunities to develop new skillsHelping people in need of the most helpNon-profi t work is very flexible and applicable to many

diff erent careersCommunity-based organizations are organizations

directly based in the community!Can you ever say that our work is boring?

THE BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING IN ADULT BASIC EDUCATION

3

SHOW ME A VOLUNTEER WHO

FEELS LIKE THEY’RE WASTING

THEIR TIME,AND I’LL SHOW

YOU A VOLUNTEER WHO STOPS

COMING.

Present the opportunity to fulfi ll their goals

Individualized support is the most effective way to approach it

Connect at least one thing they do to what goals they have when they first start and throughout their time

Remember to thank them every time they volunteer!

GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT!