Education Non-profits: Give me 5 minutes and I’ll show you more volunteers
If you’re like most education non-profit leaders, sometimes you wish there were a few more hours in the day, so that you could help serve the students better and be closer to achieving the goals of the organization.
It’s not that you’re not efficient or productive enough, really. It’s because you need help! Recruiting volunteers isn’t easy—you’re competing with all the other activities people can do in their spare time. Grabbing their attention is a challenge, too, and it’s not like you can run a Superbowl ad.
How can an education nonprofit recruit and retain volunteers on a tight budget?
1. Get Insights
Knowing volunteer satisfaction is helpful in knowing what the program strengths and weaknesses are. Nesbit & Christensen found that leaders are unable to identify shortcomings in their own programs, which can lead to volunteer burnout and discouragement. Getting insights from those who have volunteered in the past help shape volunteer programs of the future. Ask volunteers: what did you enjoy about volunteering with us? What didn’t you enjoy? Would you recommend volunteering with us to your friends?
2. Make it personal
I work with education foundation directors who make themselves approachable so that potential volunteers can learn about opportunities. The directors ask, “What do you enjoy doing? How much time can you spare?” There may have retirees, for example, that prefer to work with students during the day. There may also have people in their 20’s that can’t help during the day and would rather help during a fun education foundation fundraiser. The more you ask, the more likely you are to find a good fit for everyone.
3. Post job opportunities with thorough descriptions
Post job opportunities with lots of details. Here’s an example: almost every web site I see has a link to “volunteer.” All they ask for is name and email, without any description of what the job entails. Will I be placed with elementary students or high school students? Will I be asked to bus tables at the next fundraiser?
Sometimes because education nonprofit leaders are so close to their own event, they forget what it’s like to be a newcomer. If I’ve never been to your event, and there are job postings like “greeter” or “help out at athlete’s tent,” I have no idea what I’m getting into. Unfortunately, with a vague posting like this, the assumption is being made that everyone’s an insider, which only makes people feel like outsiders.
When posting a volunteer job opportunity, important details include skills needed, how long the job will take, what time they need to be there, how often this job needs filling (every Tuesday?), and even suggested attire.
4. Train volunteers
It’s awkward to volunteer for the first time, because I don’t know what to do. It’s also frustrating if you’re left to stand there while others are scurrying around. I’ve had to walk up to people that look like they’re in charge and ask, “how can I help?” Volunteers feel appreciated when they receive an introduction, training, and even a mentor.
From what I’ve experienced, it can be difficult convincing people to volunteer. When they do, they start to understand the problem we’re solving on a face-to-face level with teachers and students, and they’ll get more involved. Many will continue to volunteer and become advocates. The investments made in volunteers are worth it because even if they can only spare an hour, it could grow into something bigger.
