| Volunteering
Presumably your
organisation is running on the goodwill of voluntary labour,
unless you've just received a huge grant to cover salaries! Have a volunteers form for people to fill in. Ask their name and address as well as why they want to volunteer for your group. What experience do they bring with them? What do they want to learn, what can they share and when will they be available to volunteer? |
Once you've identified the skills and interests of your new volunteer, talk to them about the aims and objectives of your organisation and brief them fully on your activities. Discuss how things are going and what you need assistance with. Try to identify some tasks that match their abilities and interests, so they can start work without too much assistance from you.
Make sure you show volunteers around your group space and introduce them to everyone. Let them know when your meetings are held and invite them to the next one.
Because volunteers aren't being paid, it's worth giving them rewards for their hard work. Sure, doing something good for the community is reward enough, but it's always nice to be recognised. Even if it's as small as buying them a coffee, providing food at meetings, or presenting them with a birthday present, it all counts. Making time to chat with volunteers on a one-to-one basis is very important. Make sure they are kept up-to-date on current events. Whatever you do, don't leave them out of the loop!
International Year Of Volunteers 2001
http://www.iyv2001.org
2001 is International Year Of The Volunteer. Check out upcoming activities and log on to the conference section to join discussions on volunteering.
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