Volunteer Smarter, Not Harder: Tips from Your Fellow Social Good Pros
Are you looking for ways to manage your volunteers more effectively? To conclude National Volunteer Month, we’ve gathered the best volunteer management tips and tricks from Blackbaud Champions.
Keep reading for ways to volunteer smarter, not harder!
Communication is Key
Much of the feedback we received mentioned focusing on quality communication between organizers and volunteers as the best starting point. When you communicate regularly and stay flexible to your volunteers’ needs, everyone is more effective.
I utilize whatever forms of communication work for everyone, whether it be an email thread, group text, or Google Calendar meeting requests. Communication is number one… You need to keep them engaged and excited about what they are volunteering for.
Michelle Mose
Special events and advancement services manager at St. Ursula Academy
I [have] several volunteers who do not use any of the social media or latest technology. To accommodate this, I simply print out a big blank monthly calendar with shifts, and volunteers will initial on the shift they’ll cover. They even take it upon themselves to switch or fill in empty slots.
Terri Chambers
Database support specialist/administrator at Livingston HealthCareInvolve Volunteers in Strategic Planning
Another frequent tip from Blackbaud Champions was to help volunteers see the bigger picture by involving them in brainstorming, strategic planning, and crucial meetings so they are in the loop and can execute tasks with a sense of shared purpose.
Always have a strategic plan to ensure volunteers see their place in the organization and the fruits of their efforts.
Tim Ambrose
Alumni relations at Fanshawe College
Help them to feel that their contribution is important to the success of the organization.
David Hecht
Data and report analyst at the South Dakota State University Foundation
Provide good training. Resource volunteers well, so they have the necessary stories and insights to share the vision.
Matt Warren
Database and events officer at BMS World Mission
The most successful programs must be initiated by volunteers themselves. They’ll work harder and smarter if they’re involved from conception through fruition, as compared to a volunteer who is assigned a task or project.
Russel Heskin
Executive director, special projects at Western University of Health Sciences
Get to Know Your Volunteers
Flex your relationship-building muscles if you want to succeed in volunteer management! When you know your volunteers’ backgrounds, interests, and abilities, you can place them with the right opportunity to advance your mission.
Building a personal relationship with each volunteer values them as an individual—and enriches our lives immensely! They are a wealth of experience and wisdom.
Jana Fross
Operations and data coordinator at HaysMed Foundation
Understand the skillsets of each volunteer and give them the tasks for which they can succeed. When they do succeed, they will return to volunteer again.
Mark Guncheon
Development IT analyst at Bon Secours Health System
I strive to be flexible in aligning volunteers’ interests and abilities with our needs. We were planning an email communication plan for a fundraising project due to the number of alumni we wanted to reach. When a number of our recruited volunteers… wanted to make their contacts by phone, we adjusted.
JoAnn Strommen
Database administrator at South Dakota Mines Center for Alumni Relations & Development
Appreciate, Appreciate, Appreciate!
Finally, make sure to show your gratitude and appreciation to every volunteer. Whether it’s kind words, a card, a gift, or a handshake after a job well done, make sure they know they are valued.
I model the hospitality I expect our volunteers to show to visitors by welcoming them with warmth, fully listening and engaging when they are present, and showing appreciation for their choice to [volunteer] that day.
Rebecca Barnes
Volunteer manager at Tellus Science Museum
Show them gratitude and ensure they feel part of the team.
Michael Ragsdale
Manager, annual programs at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation
How do you manage volunteers in your organization to help good take over? If you’ll be implementing any of the above tips, let us know which one and how by leaving a comment.
