E-learning recruiting volunteers
What is the best and fastest way to find new volunteers? What do you need for that? With this e-learning you will learn this and more in six handy steps.
Reading time: 30 minutes
a recruitment plan in six steps
In this e-learning we divide the recruitment of volunteers into six handy steps. At the end of these six steps, you'll have a complete recruiting plan. Maybe not every step applies or you have already taken it. That's nice, because then you can just skip it.
the 6 steps
1. what is your goal?
Every good plan starts with a goal. Make them as concrete as possible and measurable, for example: 'Within three months I want to find 8 new volunteers in the age category 45 to 50 years old for project X.'
This helps you to get started in a targeted manner, to measure whether you are on track, to make adjustments where necessary and to be able to evaluate.
You might not make it, but that's okay. Shoot for the stars and land on the moon, according to this beautiful English proverb. And also from the things that don't work, you learn how to do it.
Tip : are the tasks as you formulated them still 'of this time'? Would you respond to it yourself? And your neighbor or nephew? Perhaps it is possible to offer more flexibility. Because too little flexibility is the biggest barrier to volunteering. Do a thought experiment: could you only do something once a month? By adjusting your tasks, you can often sharpen or increase your goal.
2. who are you looking for?
Start dreaming. Who would be your ideal volunteer? Think of: interests, characteristics, age and more. We call this a persona (or maybe you have several personas) and this will help you with the next step.
Now that you have a persona, complete it with the requirements:
- What skills or diplomas are really required? Challenge yourself here: is it really necessary or desired? Can you learn it or does it have to be there already? Realize: the more requirements, the smaller your chance of a match.
- Is there an age limit?
- Also think about mobility, language etc.
Tip: Personas help you to make concrete what you are looking for, so that it is easier to address the right person later. But don't forget to be open to anyone who wants to use their time and talent for you!
3. what do you have to offer?
Now it's time to move into your dream volunteer. Ask yourself: ' Why would my dream volunteer work for me?'
Pessimistic thinking can also help you here. What could hinder my dream volunteer from applying? What doubts does this person have? Hint: the fear of wasting too much time, not being able to spend too little time on it and not being able to keep promises, being nervous about starting in an unfamiliar place or with unfamiliar people, and the fear of not being able to stop much for. So think about how to tackle them. It often helps to name the degrees of freedom, flexibility, guidance, evaluation and what else applies. Or even better: share an experience story of a current volunteer!
In the article on The Happy volunteer you will find more tips on how to respond to this.
4. HOW DO YOU APPROACH THE TARGET GROUP?
To ensure that your call ends up with as many dream volunteers as possible, select the channels and resources that match your persona.
Where is that ideal volunteer of yours located? A few example channels:
- Via via (via colleagues, volunteers, clients etc.)
- Your own workplace and website
- social media
- 'Intermediaries' such as the volunteer center, a volunteer platform, neighborhood platform or marketplace
- Newspapers, local leaflets and publications
- Public information places such as the library, town hall, waiting areas, care etc.
- Events, fairs or local markets
- Online advertisements (Google, social media)
Then you choose the resources that fit your chosen channels:
- flyers
- Posters
- Online texts
- Videos
- (you can make it as crazy as you want here!)
Tip: Use the best combination for you right now. That can change over time. Our favorites are via via (link to a funny reward), your own site and social media and the intermediaries such as VIPvoorelkaar, who often have a large reach.
5. the message
Now that you know what you're looking for and what you have to offer, it's time to pour this into an irresistible communication message that immediately appeals to your dream volunteer.
Because a picture often says more than 1,000 words. So start with an image that fits best and evokes emotion. Tip : you don't have your own material? Check out the free photo and video banks like Unsplash and Pexels
Then it's time for the text. A few general tips:
- Start your text by answering the 'why' question: why should a volunteer come and make a difference to you?
- Describe specifically what you are looking for. Tell it as you would tell it to your neighbor, that helps to keep your language warm and understandable.
- Overcome the initial fear and name how often and when (and the flexibility in this) you ask someone
- Don't forget the benefits of volunteering and your organization
- And conclude with how people can respond. Very obvious but this is sometimes forgotten!
In addition to the content, writing style is also important. Match your choice of words and sentence structure to your persona. Tip: with this website you can discover whether your texts are B1.
don't forget your network!
The best recruiting trick is still through the through. Through colleagues, volunteers, members and clients. Research has shown that being asked is the way most volunteers get started. And of course your current volunteers are the best people to tell you why you enjoy it so much.
And maybe you can stretch it a bit. Ask your entire network (everyone who is involved in some way or has a warm heart) to think about me, forward a newsletter or hang a poster #dare to ask.
6. How do we get started?
With your recruitment goal, target group, message and resources you can now map the activities. Are you going to organize an open day? Put your vacancies on your website and VIPvoorelkaar? And publish an interview in the local newspaper?
What fits and is possible depends of course on your resources: time and budget. Use the Pareto principle or the 80-20 rule : 80% of your result is caused by 20% of your time. So start with the activities that will yield the most with the least time/money.
You can now put all intended actions in a schedule, which forms your recruitment plan:
- Which actions will be performed, including any repetitions, evaluation, adjustment, etc.
- Division of tasks: who prepares, who implements, who is involved/responsible
- Time planning: when something happens (and depends on each other)
Don't forget to bring the budget!
Tip: In your recruitment plan, don't forget how you are going to follow up the reactions that will naturally flow in ;-). Where do they come in? Who coordinates and picks up? There is nothing more demotivating than responding to a volunteer job vacancy and then not getting a response…
finally: cherish those volunteers
Of course, if you're recruiting, you don't want your efforts to be destroyed after a short time because volunteers stop quickly. So take good care of your existing volunteers with attention and appreciation. From a quick 'how are you doing' to a sweet free ticket if someone is there for a while, it often costs nothing (also hardly any time) but delivers a lot.
KNOWING MORE?
The volunteer landscape is constantly changing. Fortunately, many organizations are closely monitoring these changes. Make sure you stay up to date on everything that is going on, so that you can connect even better with your volunteers. The studies, reports and toolkit below can help you recruit new volunteers.
volunteering trend report
NLvoorelkaar researches together with the Prof. dr. Lucas Meijs of Erasmus University the latest trends in the field of voluntary work, voluntary commitment, self-reliance and loneliness.
volunteer policy and management
You want to keep the recruited volunteers. NOV collects all information about volunteer policy and management.
toolkit boy proof
Whether you are already an experienced youth worker or are just starting out, with this toolkit you have extra tips, materials and tools for recruiting young people for volunteer work.
can we help you?
You are in the right place at www.vipvoorelkaar.nl: we are happy to support you by easily, quickly and effectively bringing you into contact with all volunteers in your area.
On our platform you can:
Post volunteer vacancies for free
Easily search and find the best volunteers
Find information and tips about working with volunteers