1. Krystal Ladue, Project Coordinator United Way HandsOn Savannah
Pride and Purpose: Best Practices for Volunteer Recruitment and Retention
Krystal Ladue, Project Coordinator
United Way HandsOn Savannah

2. Topics An examination on volunteerism and its importance
Volunteer Administration Best Practices
Recruitment
Volunteer Supervision
Training
Retention
Strategies towards positive retention

3. About Us

4. Who We Are
A direct service and department of United Way of the Coastal Empire
United Way HandsOn Savannah strives to reach this mission by connecting individuals, families, corporate, and community groups to results-driven service opportunities; mobilizing community volunteers around National and International days of service and recognition; and promoting professionalism in Volunteer Administration by providing free training, consultation and development opportunities for nonprofit professionals responsible for managing volunteers.

5. What We Do Volunteer Recruitment Internet: www.handsonsavannah.org
Social Networks
Volunteer Fairs, Civic Groups, Schools & Businesses
Recognition and Days of Service
38th Annual Volunteer Recognition & Awards Luncheon
Corporate Days of Service
MLK Day
Global Youth Service Day
Make a Difference Day
United Way Day of Action
Retain Volunteers by providing Ongoing Support & Training
Coastal Empire Council Of Volunteer Administrators (COVA)
Georgia Association for Volunteer Administration (GAVA)
Free Consultations
Agency Information Meetings

6. Corporate Service Projects
Our Community at Work
Corporate Service Projects
KaBOOM! Build
MLK Day of Service

7. About Me! Three-time AmeriCorps Alum
Rebuilding Together New Orleans, AmeriCorps VISTA
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley, AmeriCorps State & National
Points of Light, AmeriCorps VISTA Leader
Project Coordinator, United Way HandsOn Savannah
Chatham County Organizations Active in Disaster (CCOAD), Vice Chair
Georgia Association for Volunteer Administrators (GAVA), Secretary

8. Volunteers!

9. Why is Volunteerism Important?

10. Benefits of Volunteering
Increased overall well-being an quality of life
Lower mortality rates
Greater functional ability
Lower rates of depression
Reduces stress
Individuals that volunteer are more likely to take action for preventative care

11. Who are Volunteers?
Individuals from all backgrounds (students, retirees, etc.) that are willing to dedicate their free time towards a cause
Motivations
Passion
Community-oriented or desire to be part of a group
Emotionally-invested
Desire to feel needed

12. “A Sense of Purpose” Benefits of “at-risk” populations
Youth Volunteers
Keep them in a healthy environment
Builds Confidence
Senior volunteers
Baby-boomer generation
Aging Successfully
Keeps people from isolation
Creates new social “roles”
Experienced volunteers
Can offset medical interventions

13. Volunteer Matching and Recruitment— The Marriage between Need and Service

14. Volunteer Projects and Internal Needs Assessment

15. Recruitment

16. Social Media as a Recruitment Tool
Facebook
Large net of individuals
Senior friendly
Ability to tag other organizations
Quick and easy way to get information out

17. Instagram Fun and easy to use! Lots of connections through hashtags
Great way to get the word out on events
Let’s people see what you are doing
Lots of #hashtag days to promote your org (#motivationmonday, #wonderfulwednesday)

18. Twitter
Large network
Easy to give shout-outs to other organizations and individuals
Cross-posts and retweets to get the word out
#hashtags to join groups and communities together

20. Performance Management

21. Training

22. “Retention Strategies for Today’s Volunteers”
Understand and meet people’s needs
Be a matchmaker
Set people up for success
See volunteers as customers
Designate a volunteer resource professional
Maintain a positive organizational climate
Welcome diversity
Be flexible
Don’t burn people out
Recognize contributions
Remember why they volunteer

23. Positive Reinforcement

24. Retention: Evaluate! 90 Day or Exit Surveys

25. Questions?

26. Sources
“Leveraging Knowledge from Human Resources to Manage Volunteer Resources”, DOVIA Presentation 03/15/13 Megan N. Vixie, MPA, CVA, PHR, SHRM-CP Director of Human Resources Beach Cities Health District “Human Resource Management and Volunteer Engagement: Tensions and Opportunities,” SERVICEUNITES Conference on Volunteering and Service 10/20/15 Megan N. Vixie, MPA, CVA, PHR, SHRM-CP Katie Campbell, CVA “Adjust your thinking: Shifting the focus on volunteer retention.” Donna Lockhart, 07/14/08