OLLI Volunteer Workforce How to Recruit & Retain Our Most Valuable Resource 2014 OLLI National...

2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA

OLLI Volunteer WorkforceHow to Recruit & Retain Our Most Valuable ResourceAnn NikolaiOLLI @ California State University, Chico

Julia CayusoOLLI @ University of Miami

Andréa SisinoOLLI @ University of South Carolina Beaufort


Nonprofits Need More Talent

Limited resources

Leadership drain

“Burnout” cited as number one reason staffers change jobs


Stanford Social Innovation Review Winter 2009

http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/the_new_volunteer_workforce


Too Often Undervalued & Underused

Volunteers Can:Provide technology servicesHelp develop programmingTrain staffConduct strategic planningHelp raise moneyMentor young professionalsHelp improve staff morale and

lower turnover



Volunteer Talent Leaves When We Fail To:

Match Skills with Assignments

Recognize Contributions

Measuring the Value of

Volunteers

Train and Invest in Volunteers

and Staff

Provide Strong Leadership


Capitalizing on Volunteer Talent

Rethink Work Roles

Assign Appropriate Tasks

Create Bonding Experiences

Support and Training Volunteers

Use New Technology

Develop Strategic Plans


Chico, California

Race: 80% White, 14% Latino

Age: 15% are 65 & Older (Compared to 11% for California)

Sex: 47% Male, 53% FemaleEducation:

60% have some collegeEstimated median

household income: $35,990

California State University, Chico

Population 89,949

OLLI@CSU Chico


OLLI @ CSU, Chico

Eligibility: 50+ or retiredCurrent Members: 1,01712 distinct counties under 1 OLLI 200+ classes and programs (3

sessions)100% volunteer instructors Membership Fee: $100 annual feeNo additional class fees

Quick Facts


Recruitment Strategies

Tying activities to Annual Plan

Tapping strong leaders Engaging volunteers in

planning Identifying specific roles Volunteers recruiting

volunteers Recognizing contributions Utilizing tools for

outreach Clear, frequent

communication

Volunteer sign-up sheets

Notices on bulletin boards

General appeals Lack of clarity

on tasks Micro-

management

What worked? Not so much…


2013-2014 Annual Plan


Sustaining the Volunteer NetworkDeveloping Annual Committee

ObjectivesRethinking Work RolesAssigning Appropriate TasksCreating Bonding ExperiencesSupporting and Training

VolunteersCommunicationRecognition and Appreciation

Volunteer Recognition

Personalize notes of thanks

Share the gloryTie contributions to

institutional values and goals

Priority registrationCampus

partnershipsCommunity

partnerships

Recognize Contributions

Celebrate Milestones


OLLI @ UM

Ethnicity: 50% Hispanic

Race: 91% WhiteAge: 65 years+ (17%)Language Spoken at

Home: 56% SpanishSex: 48% Male, 52%

FemaleEducational

Attainment: 60% some college

Estimated median household income in 2012: $85,183

Coral Gables, Florida

University of Miami

Population 49,411


OLLI @ UM

Eligibility: 50+ or retired

Current members: 800

Classes: 200+(6 sessions)

Full Membership: $30

Separate Class Fees

Paid & Vol. instructors

Quick Facts

olli@um Open House



The Personal Touch

“Spreading the word”

Class announcements

Getting specificMember surveysMine their

passion!

E-newsletter “Call for Volunteers”

Notices on bulletin boards

General “calls for help”

“Shots in the dark”



Sustaining the Network• Consistent recruiting of new volunteers – don’t

overwork them!• Pairing new volunteers & with “power” volunteers• “Something for every one” • Clear communication about work roles• Open door policy


Volunteer Recognition

Hand-written cards

Stock favorite treats

SmilesRecognizing

successAppreciation

Events

Make it personal

OLLI@UM V-OLLI-nteer Appreciation Lunch


Attention to Details

OLLI @ UM VIDEO WILL BE PLAYED HERE

• Favorite Treats• Appreciation

Luncheon• Certificates of

Recognition• Provide

support


OLLI @ University of South Carolina Beaufort

The Lowcountry Region

Fourth fastest growing metropolitan population along the East Coast.

Four county service district

Demographics: 200,000 people

Race: 70% white, 20% African American, 10% Latino

Age: 40% of the population is 50+

Education: 55% bachelor’s degree or higher


OLLI @ University ofSouth Carolina Beaufort

Current Members: 1,500

4 distinct regions 450 classes annually100% volunteer

instructors Annual Fee: $40Term Fee: $85

UnlimitedSummer Session:

Free to members

Quick Facts



“General” Call for “General” Volunteers

Posters or Flyers Insert in Curriculum

Guide

Membership Communication

Personal Interaction

Project Ownership Matching Skillset

to Position Recognition &

Celebration Friend To Friend



Sustaining the NetworkConstant exposure in

all three communities through community presentations

Supporting our volunteers’ needs

Support - celebrate – congratulate- support – grow together!


Volunteer Recognition Bring all regions together

Thank you notes on evaluation letters, cards for special occasions, personal touch

Volunteer recognition wall

Appreciation events – small & large

A MUST…make the time!

OLLI Volunteer Workforce How to Recruit & Retain Our Most Valuable Resource 2014 OLLI National...

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