Identifying and Recruiting Future Volunteer Leaders

"We sometimes feel that what we do is just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop." - Mother Theresa Identifying and Recruiting Future Volunteer Leaders: Did you know that for the most part, the higher the education level of people the more likely they are to volunteer - and the more hours they will give the organization? Now is the time to look at your community and focus on finding those volunteers. Not only will they be able to contribute their time and experience, they most likely will have a specific talent or skill that will move your organization forward. Here are some other ideas for developing future leaders in your organization: Create a volunteer leadership-training matrix (master plan). Give volunteer leaders many opportunities to further their education, through training and continuing education. Host volunteer orientations on an annual basis, or more often. Job descriptions change and grow, and volunteer leaders should be the first to know of these changes. Knowledge equals power. Allow your volunteers to start where they are. Do they need to begin with a committee assignment before co-chairing or chairing a committee? Oftentimes we want to put high profile people in roles of leadership and authority before they have had the proper training or gotten to know all the processes of their particular committee. Experience builds leadership. Learn about the people involved