To those in the for-profit world, nonprofits may seem to have the perfect situation with their volunteer workforces. After all, it would be hard for a for-profit organization to compete with an unpaid labor workforce that doesn’t place strain on departments, such as HR and payroll. Although, nonprofit managers know that effectively managing volunteers is not always as easy as it seems.
Because they have no formal ties to the company, volunteers are free to come and go as they please. However, volunteers may not have prior experience in the roles they sign up for or they may not have understood the full scope of the role. Without the proper training and guidance, volunteers can easily feel overwhelmed or disengaged, and they may never show up for their next shift. This scenario has led many nonprofits to find themselves in a scenario where they don’t have enough volunteers to cover their work. If that’s your situation, consider these methods for effectively increasing volunteer recruitment, retention, and satisfaction.
1. Advertise openings
If volunteers aren’t seeking you out, perhaps your nonprofit needs stronger name recognition or maybe they simply don’t know about your need for volunteers. Make sure you’re writing detailed job descriptions for volunteer positions, explaining what each volunteer needs to do and the advantages of working with your organization. You can post these jobs on volunteer recruitment platforms. You may also consider direct mailings, email campaigns, or developing a social media presence to get the word out. Remember that volunteers save you a lot of money, so spending a bit on recruitment will likely have an overall positive impact on your organization.
2. Consider a training program
If your position requires specialized skills, you may benefit by having an orientation day to attract and welcome new recruits. This is a great opportunity for new volunteers to learn the basics of the position and decide whether to return. If that doesn’t make sense for you, consider a mentorship or shadowing program in which new volunteers are paired with experienced paid or volunteer employees who show them the ropes.
3. Show appreciation
Remember to show your volunteers appreciation for their hard work. They are, in essence, doing you a favor by volunteering their time and talents to your organization. Whether it’s a team lunch, outing, or other creative idea, be sure that your appreciation is shown for their hard work.
4. Communicate with your volunteers
Volunteers shouldn’t feel like they are independent from the rest of your organization. Make sure managers provide volunteers with regular feedback, just as they do for paid employees. It’s also important that your volunteers know who to go to if they need anything. Your employees likely know who to contact if they wake up sick and can’t come in or if they need to request additional job training. Your volunteers should have this same knowledge.
Final thoughts
A volunteer workforce can be a nonprofit’s secret superpower; however, this must be managed correctly. With strategic thought and attention, you can attract and retain volunteers and help your organization continue doing its vital work.
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