Volunteer Co-ordinators Forum (VCF) Recruiting & supporting volunteers in the dark

Housekeeping Fire Toilets Smoking Phones Confidential Breaks

Agenda To encourage volunteer managers to consider cost effective ways of recruiting, training & supporting volunteers in times of austerity

Traditional and 21 st century volunteers What volunteers want, what organisations offer and what we can do to bridge the gap How to make the best use of our dwindling resources Looking at

Group work Team A Draw up an image to sum up traditional volunteers Team B Draw up an image to sum up 21 st century volunteers 15 minutes No words allowed!

Group work Traditional volunteers Reliable Committed Duty and service driven Loyal Don't like change Ageing in place

Group work 21st Century volunteers Flexible Lead complex and busy lives Have multiple interests and roles Expect empowerment Accept change Technology savvy Want to make a difference, not a contribution!

Choice

Even asking for a cup of coffee can be a bit daunting at times….

How do you make your organisation, opportunities & experience stand out from the crowd?

Open discussion How do we currently recruit & place volunteers? Does this work? Is the selection & matching process, at times, process-heavy? What challenges do you currently face?

Why do people stop volunteering? 20% of people had volunteered but weren't now. Why? Lack of time due to home or work circumstances changing The activity was no longer relevant Health problems or old age Moving away from the area Source: Helping Out (2007)

More reasons why people stop volunteering No flexibility in opportunities or scheduling Too much time wasted in useless or unproductive meetings Lack of communication Lack of professionalism Not really making a difference No feedback from leadership

Think about the different life stages that affect volunteering Leaving school Going to college/university Starting work Redundancy Marriage, family, divorce etc Moving home Retirement Death of a partner Ill health

Lessons from #riotcleanup

Back in 10 minutes please

So, how can we make the best use out of our dwindling resources? Discussion 15 minutes

It’s not about size It’s about change

Sharing ideas Some examples from external colleagues. One overseas One national One regional One local

Sharing ideas

Offline ideas can work too Volunteering Works – basic training, ideal for new volunteers and as a refresher for active volunteers. Consider recruiting lead volunteers to support you. Can you think of any?

I can… Log and find volunteering opportunities Get support from other volunteer managers Blog about my volunteering experiences – as a manager and/or volunteer Set up and join open and private groups – topic based

I can also.. Upload photo and film Stay in touch and keep informed on operational & strategic stuff Do all of this for free

#ttvolmgrs

Updates Open floor for updates

Thanks Next VCF Wednesday 19 March –  