Let's be serious, it's a major part of our job and if done right you and your organization will benefit greatly from a great collaborative working relationship.
If there's one thing I hear all the time is I can't get my volunteers to show up for anything!
Take the time to cultivate relationships with your volunteers and follow these tips to ensure that your volunteers are productive and engaged:
- Start by defining clear expectations. What are the specific tasks that you need your volunteers to complete? What are their roles and responsibilities? Once you have a clear understanding of what you need from your volunteers, you can start to match them with the right opportunities.
- Provide training and support. Not all volunteers will have the same skills and experience. Make sure that you provide them with the training and support they need to be successful. This could include anything from providing them with job descriptions and training materials to assigning them a mentor or supervisor.
- Create a positive and supportive environment. Volunteers want to feel appreciated and valued. Make sure that you create a positive and supportive environment where they feel comfortable asking questions and getting help when they need it.
- Set clear goals and deadlines. Volunteers need to know what is expected of them and when they need to have their tasks completed. Setting clear goals and deadlines will help to keep them on track and productive.
- Provide regular feedback. Let your volunteers know how they are doing and how they can improve. This will help them to stay motivated and engaged.
- Celebrate successes. When your volunteers achieve their goals, be sure to celebrate their successes. This will help to show them that their hard work is appreciated and that they are making a difference.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your volunteers are productive and engaged, which will ultimately benefit your organization.
Here are some additional tips for managing volunteers to stay productive:
- Use technology to your advantage. There are a number of software programs and applications that can help you to manage your volunteers more effectively. These tools can help you to track volunteer hours, assign tasks, and communicate with volunteers.
- Delegate tasks appropriately. Not all volunteers are created equal. Some volunteers may be more experienced or have more specialized skills than others. Be sure to delegate tasks appropriately so that everyone is challenged but not overwhelmed.
- Be flexible. Things don't always go according to plan. Be prepared to adjust your plans as needed and be flexible with your volunteers' schedules.
- Show appreciation. Volunteers give their time freely, so it's important to show them how much you appreciate their efforts. Thank them regularly and let them know how their work is making a difference.
You can create a positive and productive volunteer experience that will benefit both your organization and your volunteers.
