| One of the prime concerns of small non-profit | | | | further its own goals, the needs and desires of |
| institutions is locating necessary support for | | | | each participant must be taken into account for a |
| projects. Limited staff and funding can keep | | | | volunteer program to be successful. Frustrated |
| non-profits from accomplishing goals. Cultural | | | | volunteers who feel that their tasks are too |
| heritage institutions such as museums, libraries, | | | | difficult or as if they are not a valued part of the |
| and archives often have to rely on volunteers to | | | | organization will not remain committed to your |
| keep an institution running and achieve goals. | | | | institution. |
| How to Attract Volunteers | | | | Prepare for volunteers by creating a list of |
| Work cooperatively with area repositories to | | | | projects, providing a clean workspace, and |
| develop community interest in what your | | | | ensuring proper training and supervision. Make |
| organization does | | | | volunteers feel welcome and as if they have a |
| Define your role in the community and | | | | stake in the organization. Allow them to participate |
| prepare to succinctly and dynamically verbalize | | | | in the decision process regarding their role. Create |
| why your work is important | | | | an organizational chart that includes volunteers and |
| Survey the community to determine what | | | | discusses how important it is for them to reach |
| they think about your organization - Determine if | | | | their goals for the continued success of the |
| it isnecessary for you to change community | | | | organization. Create a plan for volunteers by listing |
| perception of your work | | | | the types of duties to be performed, what |
| Brainstorm a list of projects that can be | | | | experience / training is needed to accomplish |
| accomplished with volunteers - Work to recruit | | | | specific tasks, and create specific achievable goals |
| help forspecific tasks and to establish committees | | | | for each volunteer. |
| to reach specific goals | | | | Show interest in the work of your volunteers. |
| Ask each volunteer to recruit two new | | | | Give them room to work through a project in |
| volunteers - Do not neglect to approach someone | | | | their own way without too much interference. |
| because he has offered assistance or has refused | | | | Ask for their advice and opinions on issues of |
| to help in the past - encourage businesses to | | | | importance and keep them informed about |
| support your goals | | | | developments. As a supervisor, remain upbeat |
| Use three types of marketing approaches: 1. | | | | about the organization and all that it accomplishes. |
| Personal contact - members, friends of | | | | Do not focus on negatives. |
| currentvolunteers, acquaintances, staff relatives 2. | | | | Continually show your appreciation for volunteers. |
| Targeted marketing - flyers, e-mail, listservs, | | | | Even organizations with limited funds can do this. |
| phone campaigns 3. Mass marketing - notices in | | | | Be sure to praise volunteers for a job well done. |
| newspapers, radio, television spots, web page | | | | Hold an appreciation party. If you don't have |
| Through outreach, demonstrate that you are | | | | funds for a fancy bash, hold a potluck party on a |
| organized, serious, and passionate about what you | | | | beautiful day on the front lawn. Create certificates |
| do. Look at the community and those who use | | | | of appreciation on a computer. Tell classes who |
| the services of your organization as partners and | | | | visit you about how volunteers help keep your |
| give them a stake in your success | | | | organization running. Ask the students to create |
| How to Keep Volunteers | | | | pictures showing their thanks to volunteers. |
| Volunteers can be skilled workers looking for a | | | | Be patient with your volunteer program and give |
| challenging opportunity or individuals looking for a | | | | it a chance to grow. Happy volunteers will attract |
| chance to serve, an educational opportunity, or a | | | | more volunteers and allow you to build a more |
| place that will offer them a sense of community. | | | | successful institution. |
| Though each organization seeks volunteers to | | | | |