Getting parents to volunteer isn’t easy. Between work and shuttling the kids off to soccer and dance practice, many parents just don’t have time to volunteer. And when they do, there’s always that fear in the back of their minds that they will be sucked into a never-ending commitment. So what is the secret to finding good volunteers? Careful planning, a dash of encouragement, and some old fashioned networking can make a difference in volunteer recruitment.
You’ve probably heard the expression “it’s never too early to start.” Once you know what the plan is, start lining people up to help. That way you’ll will have the manpower for those essential tasks. You don’t want to wait until the last minute only to find out you are shorthanded. It’s also a good idea to recruit more people than you need just in case some people don’t show up or something comes up.
Network. Talk to people: Other parents, family and friends, as well as neighbors. Encourage them to participate. Let them know what you will be doing and how they can help out. It is hard to say no when you are speaking to someone face to face as opposed to sending out a flyer or e-mail. Also, don’t forget to speak to people at the actual event. Ask them if they have ever thought about volunteering.
Advertise. Newsletters, flyers, and e-mails are a great way to get the word out that you are looking for volunteers. Websites are also a great tool. Not only do they help you promote the cause and get information out to the community, websites can also be set up to send out announcements and facilitate communication with your volunteers. There are a lot of free sites out there that will even help you build a page. And don’t forget social media. It seems everyone these days is on Facebook or Twitter. It’s an easy way to network.
Make it easy to volunteer. Some parents may not have time to volunteer at every function, so work within their schedules. Look for jobs that match their skills or find an area that appeals to a particular volunteer. People have different interests and abilities. Be accommodating. Give them some goals and let them choose their own way to help the group accomplish benchmarks. Lastly, don’t hold too many meetings and be flexible if a volunteer needs to leave early. Use people’s talents, not just their time.
Don’t forget to say “thank you!” A warm welcome and a big thank you at the end generates goodwill. And let your volunteers know how much their efforts contributed towards making your fundraiser a success. It’s also a nice gesture to send each volunteer a thank-you note or perhaps even a group picture. This encourages your volunteers will help at a future event.