Workshop

Recruiting and keeping volunteers

Lizzie Clapham & Leah Furniss

In this session:

• Volunteer Role Descriptions

• Recruiting Volunteers

• VINY

• Keeping Volunteers

• Support available from Community First Yorkshire

Creating volunteer role descriptions

First Impressions Count!

Make roles descriptions appealing

Big Top Community Centre!!

Recruiting volunteers

How do you find new volunteers?

Task: talk to the person next to you what are the top three ways to recruit volunteers?

Key points to consider for all recruitment

• How to stand out

• Where is your audience

• Which medium will work best.

All ‘adverts’

• Clear

• Contact details & further info

• Be flexible use ‘like to discuss / find out more info…’

• Word of mouth

• Taster sessions / bring a friend / open events

• Leaflets & Posters

• Newsletters

• Organising or speaking at events

• Press and radio

• Websites - your own, 3rd parties, and community

• Social Media – Facebook, Twitter etc.

• VINY - volunteer recruitment websites

Keeping volunteers

• Why do people volunteer?

• Why don’t people volunteer?

• NCVO “Time Well Spent” Report 2019 identified 8

factors that make volunteers feel their time is being well

spent….

Keeping volunteers – key factors

Think about your WELCOME

• Induction

• Training

• Support and supervision*

• Shadowing or buddying

• Volunteer/Trustee agreement

• Volunteer/Trustee handbook

• Recognition

* Not necessarily applicable for trustee roles

Problem solving procedures

Types of problems

• Performance

• Behaviours

• Attendance

• Personality clashes

• Boundaries

Causes of problems

• Unclear expectations

• Lack of Induction

• Unclear role descriptions

• Inadequate training and supervision

• Poor communication

• Volunteering environment

• Lack of equal opportunities

• Bullying and harassment

• Mismatch between volunteer and opportunity

Preventing problems

• Clear role descriptions

• Recruitment procedures

• Safeguarding procedures

• Volunteer agreement

• Supervision procedures

• Problem solving procedure

• Develop good relationships

• Work together

• Keep up to date

Any questions?

Lizzie Clapham and Leah Furniss• 01904 704177• volunteersupport@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk