Children and leader’s recruitment in youth organizations

Inspiring session with Zsuzsanna and Tamás

Introduction

General tendency in NGOs that the number of participants are decreasing

Eg. Boys Brigade in UK, FDF …

Good Recruitment Strategy is essential

Quantity and quality…

Why is it better to have a bigger organization, than a small well-working?

What are the limitations of a big/small one?

If we could guarantee the same number of participants from year to year, would you like to still increase it?

Quantity and quality 2.

Big:-Bigger network

-better opportunities for activities, events, having a community

-more complicated co-ordination

-more expensive to organize

Small:

-easy co-operation-environment is like a big

family-cheap to organize-indepence-etc.

General problems

Knowledge of recruitment strategy

Differences between the number of new applicants and the number quitting

Advertising

Motivation

Finding target groups

Types of recruitment Specific recruitment:

Specific recruitment refers to recruiting a particular individual or group with specific skills. This strategy is employed when there is an unfilled volunteer placement which requires specialized skills, experiences or knowledge.

Direct recruitment:In the frame of a personal meeting the recruiter gives information to the prospective volunteer. It should include interviewing, orientation, training, evaluations and recognition. The strategy of recruiting one-on-one always achieves the best results.

Indirect recruitment:Media and other advertising materials

Examples for direct recruitment

Person to Person- Approach the individual.

Invite the individual to a planning meeting.

Arrange a special tour of the organization for the

individual.

Introduce the notion of volunteering over lunch,

coffee, or other informal setting.

Group presentations.

Slide/video presentations.

How does it work in your organization?

Do you use the mentioned methods?

Examples for indirect recruitment

Posters. Can be made in shapes and sizes to fit any space, and can remain in one place or be shifted often.

They can be prepared in such a way as to enable certain information to change periodically such as dates, times, places or names. They can be displayed in places where people congregate or travel. Telephone numbers of persons to contact should be highlighted, etc.

Printed materials, brochures, news clips, articles, newsletters. Use pictures, statements from satisfied volunteers, human interest stories, etc.

Media. Public service announcements, slide shows, video tapes, etc.

Displays. Place in the foyer, cafeteria, lounges, etc.

Satisfied community leaders, teachers and students already in the partnership make the most effective recruiters. Their enthusiasm becomes highly contagious and generates powerful interest, support and excitement about partnerships in the schools.

How many media possibilities do you use in

your group?

Ideas for Recruiting children

Personal relations are always the best:Invite friend’s friends, cousins … etc

Gameday in September,as in FDF

Go to schools – make some activites

Give small presents to kids in the events (candy…)

Convince the parents

Advertisements in local newspapers

New media

Where else could we go to make our organization popular and recruit?

Do you use the above mentioned methods?

What are the limitations when using them?

Recruitment of Leaders

General problems: Young people moving to other places They have new interests (eg.sports,

arts…) They feel it was enough…

Possible leaders

First of all: youngsters who are already members!(Even if they move to another place)

Parents of the kids can be asked

Young people asked after Efterskole

Personal relations!! (Friends’ friends …)

Through advertisments

Make the people stay

Vision about future

Giving more responsibilities to the olders

Leadership trainigs for the age group 15-18

Trainings for grown-ups

Participation in different projects/comittees

Exchange programmes

Travelling opportunities

Make a vision about futureLong, semi-long and short-term projects

Vision 2.

Create the community feeling –> You are part of someting big and cool

Develop your skills – study by doing (social and practical skills, working in a

group where everybody contribute… )

Common values (religious, cultural, special activities …)

What are the possibilities for the age group 15-18 in your organization?

How much responsibility do you give them?

Should you give responsibilities earlier or later?

What are the pros and contras?

Possibilities in New Media

1. Photos Organized Facebook photo albums

-> lot of Photos AND Logos+ Addresses+etc. of the organization

So people can find it if they are interested

Try to advertise other social sites focusing on photos:flickr.com or pinterest.com

Where you can organize photo albums in a more visible and effective way (people might or might not like it)

Possibilities in New media

2. VideosCreate short video clips: easy to create short, fast-paced clips with some

music it's really easy to record it even with SmartPhones

or simply cameras the editor programs are really easy to use, people

don't need professional knowledge for it develop it into a video campaign on youtube (set up

a unique youtube profile etc.)

Online video editors: goanimate.com -> cartoons for smaller children

An easy-made and funny video yeeaaaah!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GalzuTw_UlA&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1

Why not to integrate an independent group?

During our study trip we found a group, where first some parents and childrens gathered to do something…

They did not know how to be scouts, but contacted an organization and with their support they made a new local group with more children

Can it be relevant in your organization?

Thank you for your participation!I hope you enjoyed!