1. Up to Our Ears in Committed Volunteers: Successful Volunteer Recruitment

2. 2 Volunteer recruitment is not a one-time event: Recruitment should begin the moment you learn that you have been awarded a Thrivent Builds project and continue until the project is complete. Many tools available on the Thrivent Builds Resources Thrivent Builds Resources site: Bulletin inserts Newsletter text Web page text Phone scripts Postcard mailers Volunteer Posters Press release templates Videos Power Point presentations Social Media

3. 3 Crafting a good volunteer recruitment message: Interesting and enticing; easily understood Contains the necessary information; detail of expectations Presents the problem and how volunteers will help solve it Includes what’s in it for the volunteer Includes steps to be taken to participate Featured Tools: Thrivent Builds Program Brochure Volunteer Recruitment Posters Bulletin Inserts Newsletter and Website Text

4. 4 Once you have your message, who delivers it? Speaker’s bureau Volunteer recruitment team Newsletters Web sites Pulpit/Congregation presentations Meeting announcements Snail mail and e-mail Radio PSAs Word-of-mouth Featured Tools: Newsletter and website text PowerPoint presentations Press releases Social media PowerPoint presentations Post cards Through your advocates FR team CET assistance Newspaper ads Press releases

5. 5 Recruitment campaigns - use one or use them all: Mass recruitment – spread your message as broadly as possible, using many communication formats Targeted recruitment – ideal approach when seeking specific volunteers such as a congregation Inner circle recruitment – don’t forget about going back to those who are already connected and involved, such as current volunteers, clients, staff, friends and relatives, donors, etc. Featured Tool: Posters and bulletin inserts for congregations

6. 6 What every volunteer wants to know up front: Where they will be volunteering To whom they will be reporting A clear statement of the goal(s) Tasks or skills required to reach those goal(s) and who will teach those skills, if necessary Minimum amount of time they are expected to volunteer Featured Tool: Role Descriptions

7. 7 Tips to help you retain and grow your volunteer crew for your next Thrivent Builds project: Ask current volunteers to each recruit a friend to volunteer with them next time Plan to recognize the contributions of your volunteers – a simple potluck, or a thank you card Regularly highlight your volunteers in the Habitat, Chapter or RFO newsletter Regularly highlight progress of the build and volunteer participation in sponsoring church communication channels Stay in contact Featured Tool: Thank You certificates

8. 8 Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer. ~Author Unknown If you have questions about this training: Email us at Box Thrivent BuildsBox Thrivent Builds