Recruiting and Training Fundraiser Volunteers
Volunteers are an essential part of your fundraising group. They
should help you motivate and inspire people to participate in
your cause and help you organize your event. But how do you
approach a new volunteer and convince them to become involved
with your group and selflessly give their time and effort? Below
we have some tips that will help you recruit new fundraising
volunteers.
Where to Recruit Fundraiser Volunteers
There are a few tactics and different places to check out for
recruiting fundraiser volunteers. You can advertise in your
local newspaper or simply by using word of mouth. An essential
part of all fundraisers is networking and talking to people -
you can use this same tactic when recruiting volunteers. Talk to
supporters at your events and ask them if they've ever thought
about supporting the cause with time instead of money. Talk with
current volunteers and see if they have friends or family who
would also like to get involved.
You can also advertise at places like high schools and colleges.
Most students are very eager to have volunteer work on their
resumes - it's a win-win situation for both of you. Some cities
have volunteer bureaus that match up volunteers with volunteer
opportunities. This is a great way to find potential fundraiser
volunteer recruits.
After You Have a Few Interested Volunteers
After you have met with a individuals that are interested in
volunteering, it is important to explain to them exactly what
they can expect from your group. You should explain your
fundraising plans and how volunteers are essential to your
fundraising success. Ask for their feedback - it will help you
learn more about what participation level they would like to
have and their knowledge about fundraisers in general.
Volunteers should be energetic, motivating and full of useful
information.
Training Fundraising Volunteers
Training your new fundraiser volunteers doesn't have to be hard,
but they should be on the same page with you. Start by showing
them your fundraising plan so they can see the big picture. Then
allow them to ask questions and fully understand how they fit
into your fundraising expectations. Tell them about your past
fundraisers and what your new goals are for this fundraiser. All
volunteers should have a specific task they are assigned but it
would be a good idea to train volunteers to do all tasks so jobs
can be switched and backed up if needed. Remember most
importantly to praise and thank your volunteers for a job well
done. They need your appreciation and thanks as much as you need
their help and support.