Thank you to a group of friends and family who filled out a survey about volunteering. They come from all over the world but have crossed my path in some meaningful way during my life. The first pie chart shows where the answers came from.
The survey was inspired after a period of working to fill volunteer spots and anticipating other opportunities in the future to organize things and find volunteers. The information is valuable and I hope it helps others as well.
The survey was inspired after a period of working to fill volunteer spots and anticipating other opportunities in the future to organize things and find volunteers. The information is valuable and I hope it helps others as well.
What factors encourage you to say yes to a large-scale volunteer job?
1. SCOPE/TIME COMMITMENT How much of the job is mine vs. how much is shared. What is the time commitment. What is required of me (do I just show up or do I need to bring/prepare something?) Will it be demanding physically, mentally or emotionally? Is it an entire day? One hour/week for a month? several months? a year? indefinite? Is it a more substantial time commitment? How will I get to/from? How much time will the commute take? What time of day does the job take place? I have to consider my previously scheduled events, family schedule, work schedule.
2. GOOD CAUSE I'm much more likely to volunteer for something that I feel passionately about and that doesn't seem like busy work or a time waster. What is my interest or affiliation with the cause? How important do I believe the task to be or the person/group who will benefit. What is the impact it has improving people's lives? What is its potential help to others. If it's for my kids, if it is church related, or if my involvement allows me to be involved with my family or something that influences them positively, I'll be more interested. I consider my time and family and how flexible the volunteer job is (particularly with children - if child care falls through, can I bring my child/ren?). I consider whether or not my kids are involved and would be helped by my volunteering. If it directly benefits a family member in a direction I feel strongly about, I would be more interested. For church: if I feel this is what God needs me to do.
3. OBLIGATION, If it is my "turn" to contribute, peer pressure.
4. WELL ORGANIZED How much help I will have, and how well-organized is it? (Do I show up and do nothing for a long time because there are too many or not enough chiefs or it's simply poorly organized). If the organizers can make it accessible so you know what you'll be doing, and it's manageable, it's easier to say yes.
5. ENJOYABLE If I was knowledgeable or the activity is fun. Are friends also participating? Do I know the people putting the job together? Will the actual event be enjoyable? ie: friends, it's outside on a pretty day, enjoyable task, personal satisfaction.
6. ABILITY Whether I have an appropriate capability to do the job well”, ease of timing and location. If I have the time to give it my best effort.
What are the downsides to opening up a volunteer position to anyone who is interested?
1. Poor quality of work You might not get someone who will work hard and follow through.
2. Reliability.People are flaky and they bail. They may not understand what they are supposed to do or why it's important. They may not have the skills or abilities necessary to complete the job accurately or efficiently. Unfortunately some people are driven by notoriety or political reasons than truly wanting to serve. You can't be sure if they are reliable or not or have the experience to complete the task appropriately. Everyone thinks someone else will do it.
3. People don't cooperate. You could get people you don't necessarily work well with.
4. No way to gauge experience. May need to conduct intensive training. You might not get the best person for the job, and end up making more work for yourself. It depends on the job. Some jobs are basic and most people can do the job. Some jobs require a higher level of skill.
5. It is more difficult to vet values like honesty. However, it seems that the larger your volunteer pool, the more likely you are to find committed volunteers. Trust and safety are big necessities
6. Trusting in their ability to get the job done. Trust in general. Sometimes get people who are too passionate and so unrealistic about goals and time commitments. Delegation and having to rely on someone else's work—especially if you don’t know them.
What is the best way to find people who will say yes and keep their commitment (especially if it is being hard to fill a position)?
1. Community-specific boards. Like-minded Facebook group? Post on Justserve.org. Have a sort of interview process to get it. Perhaps some kind of application process or some kind of training. If they are willing to jump through a hoop or two, they're more likely to be committed. Also, consider telling them they can't post about it on social media - if they're doing it for "likes" they might flake once their bored. If they're doing it because it matters to them, they likely won't care about social media or telling everyone what they're doing. Have a "job description" listing the desired qualifications and characteristics of the volunteer
2. Volunteer your time to help others when you can.
3. Talk to them in person. Asking personally and sincerely. Ask on the phone or in person and give them time to think about it. Explain exactly what would be involved so there are no surprises.
4. Get to know people before volunteers are needed. Maybe close friends or family. Get to know the people, parents, coworkers etc...so you know their individual talents, interests and circumstances. Then ask individuals personally to assist in something of their interest and capabilities. Include and express your encouragement that you know that their involvement would be a great benefit.
5. Look for family members of the participants who believe in the program you are trying to run.
6. Feed them, Reminders and incentives (like yummy food)
7. Ask friends if they can do it or give you their suggestions , Ask around. Church leaders, work associates, friends; they know who to depend on, Ask the mid-level leaders who they would recommend, Ask others for referrals or recommendations
8. Find someone truly in it for the cause, Look for people who seem interested in that area, Find a group of friends or person already familiar with the organization or people being helped by the organization
9. Word of mouth
10. Good friends, Church members
11. Gather a group of potentials for coffee or lunch
12. Ask who is interested and willing, then follow up with an in person request for them to volunteer.
13. Look for people who are gifted in the area and enjoy the work
14. Make the actual activity as enjoyable as possible. Help them to see the value in what they are accomplishing
