Article From www.handsonnetwork.org
What makes people volunteer? This question often runs across the minds of
nonprofit organizations when trying to recruit volunteers for service projects.
It is important to understand these motivating factors to recruit more dedicated
volunteers to your cause. When individuals have a strong tie to your
organization, they are more likely to return for service again. They feel that
their needs and feelings are being respected when they are included in project
planning.
How can you better serve your volunteers? Check the top six factors that make
individuals volunteer for your organization.
Which one of these factors applies to you? We would love to hear your comments and suggestions below!
Article from www.handsonnetwork.org
What makes people volunteer? This question often runs across the minds of
nonprofit organizations when trying to recruit volunteers for service projects.
It is important to understand these motivating factors to recruit more dedicated
volunteers to your cause. When individuals have a strong tie to your
organization, they are more likely to return for service again. They feel that
their needs and feelings are being respected when they are included in project
planning.
How can you better serve your volunteers? Check the top six factors that make
individuals volunteer for your organization.
- Social: Individuals are often motivated by social factors
when choosing whether or not they should volunteer. Social factors include
statements such as “My friends volunteer” or “People I know share an interest in
community service.” These individuals tend to choose organizations they have
heard about through word of mouth. Word of mouth is one of your best recruitment
strategies. Provide great service experiences so that volunteers want to talk
about it and get their friends involved in your cause. - Value: Other individuals are motivated by their core values
when choosing their ideal service projects. Value reasons include, “I am
concerned about those less fortunate than myself” or “I feel it is important to
help others.” It is important to reinforce your organization’s core values in
its recruitment message to attract this type of volunteer. - Career: Volunteers can also be motivated by their career
paths and goals. Volunteer work is a great way for people who are looking to
expand their professional network to find new connections. It is also a great
outlet to gain new skills or utilize skills they may not have used otherwise. This type of reasoning includes “I can
make new contacts that might help my business or career “or “Volunteer work will
look good on my resume.” It is important for your organization to include the
personal benefits to volunteering, as well as the overall community benefits
from volunteer work. - Understanding: Volunteering to gain a better understanding
of the community and its needs is essential some individuals. These individuals
may ask your organization “What can I learn more about the cause for which I am
working?” Volunteering allows individuals to gain a new perspective and
understanding of their community and its members. It opens new doors for new
information that can be used to better serve the community. - Protective: Volunteer work is a great stress reliever. It
makes us feel better about ourselves and our current situation when we actively
help our community. These factors should be highlighted, when recruiting
volunteers, as well. This reasoning includes “Volunteering is a good escape from
my troubles” or “By volunteering I feel less lonely.” Volunteering forces you to
step out of your comfort zone and find new meaning and perspective. - Esteem: When we help others through volunteering it makes
us feel that we serve a purpose and we are an important part of the community.
Highlight this aspect in your recruitment message. Let your volunteers know that
they are making a huge difference in the overall health of the community in
which they are serving. If possible, cite results from the actual project to let
volunteers know the magnitude of their service.
Which one of these factors applies to you? We would love to hear your comments and suggestions below!
Article from www.handsonnetwork.org
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