The OSM/VISTA TeamsAppalachian Coal Country Team

www.CoalCountryTeam.orgWestern Hardrock Watershed

Teamwww.HardrockTeam.org

Do you want volunteers who are…

Consistent?Skilled?Appreciated?Involved?Local?In the “Know”? Trained?

Volunteer Management Inventory

Answer these questions: Why does your organization need volunteers?

What skills/experiences does your organization need?

What might motivate people to volunteer with your organization?

Identify Your Volunteers

Create “a spreadsheet that highlights strengths and weaknesses and, more importantly, needs… If executed properly it’s definitely a healthy practice.” Friends of the Cheat

This will help you to recruit volunteers that have your needed skillset.

What types of activities are your volunteers participating in already?

Are your volunteers usually from the local area? Visiting?

What are some of their personal characteristics? Consider age, family, occupation, skills, interests, etc.

What will this show?

This will help you to discover your core base and help to expand your volunteer outreach.

Do you usually recruit individuals or groups?

Do you use existing partnerships to recruit volunteers?

Recruitment

Invite family and friends. Reach out to local businesses, government officials, congregations, and schools.Approach Media. Distribute flyers.

Ask who can benefit from what your organization is trying to solve. Then go find them.

How do you orient and/or train volunteers? Is it focused on a specific task or event? Do you inform them about the organization overall?

Volunteer Orientation

Orientation programs have many different variables.

How many people are you training?What is the goal of the orientation?Do you have a time limit?

Make Sure to Include!

• A brief history of the organization. • Organization’s Goals• Volunteer’s Role • Expectations (On both sides)• Policies and Procedures• Sincere Gratitude!

In what ways do you show appreciation for your volunteers?

Volunteer Appreciation

Though this seems menial, volunteer appreciation can boost volunteer retention.

Things to Try:Volunteer Appreciation PicnicAwards Thank You Notes

For the Volunteer Recognition Planning worksheet, click here.

For more questions from the VMI, visit this page.To download the Toolkit, click here.