Top Ten Tips for Effective
Volunteer Recruitment
Most people would agree that getting free PR for you rescue group or shelter is a fantastic way to increase adoptions, boost fundraising and recruit volunteers. But who has the time to write a press release, plan an event or post a blog? Your volunteers, that’s who!
You may also be wondering how to find volunteers with the expertise to help you organization promote your black dogs. Where do you find someone who can spice up your adoption events, take fabulous photos, write moving dog descriptions and get you consistent free PR? Then once you find the right people, how can you take full advantage of their talents and make sure they remain fully engaged with your organization’s mission?
Adding volunteers in areas such as website development, PR, event planning and fundraising is not just a luxury, it has now become is a necessity for rescues and shelters who want to compete with commercial breeding facilities and pet stores.
Skilled volunteers are your best bet for leveraging the many free PR opportunities available, and staying relevant in the market place. Here are a few simple recommendations to boost your volunteer talent pool:
• Let your current volunteers know what you need. Do you need someone to
update your website? To write really great stories about your black
dogs for your PetFinder listings? To organize your first Black Dog
adoption Event? Some of your current volunteers may have hidden talents
they would be interested in putting to use.
• Ask your volunteers to help you recruit. They may know someone who
would be willing to volunteer with the skill set your looking for.
People love to recommend an organization they believe in to friends
and family.
• Have volunteer “job descriptions” on hand. This will allow you to
easily publicize what you’re looking for. Is this is a one-time project
like creating a website, or an on-going obligation like taking great
dog photos? Are there special considerations such as “must have a
computer with Windows XP?” Include details.
• Show your appreciation. Your current volunteers are your biggest
cheerleaders. Remember to thank them for what they do in person, with
a quick e-mail or a short note, or publicly at a group meeting or
adoption event.
• Take time for volunteer recognition. Feature a volunteer of the month
on your website, in your newsletter, in your blog, or at any volunteer
gatherings. Recognition wins fans!
• Know your volunteers. What pets do they have? What’s their day job? Do
they have any hobbies or special training? What else would they like to
contribute to your organization? Find out.
• Listen to their ideas. Volunteers love to collaborate and know that their
expertise and opinions matter.
• Inspire foster families. Foster parents make the best marketers. They
know every funny, endearing, wonderful thing about their foster dog and
are eager to share this information with the world. Encourage them to
send updates for the dog’s profile on your website. Encourage them to
interact with prospective adopters at events.
• Let them know you believe in them. If you send the message to volunteers
that you have full faith in their abilities, they will often accomplish
more than they thought they could.
• Be creative when recruiting. Reach out in new ways. Put a post on Craig’s
List. Display the volunteer opening on your website home page. Post it on
your group’s Myspace or FaceBook page. Put a flyer at the local pet
supplystore. Have job descriptions available at adoption events.
Volunteers mayappear when you least expect it - be ready and they will
come.
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