Do you have volunteer opportunities listed on the Volunteer Center website but haven't been pleased by the results? By following a few simple tips and hints your opportunity can be better poised for success!1. Define the type of opportunity you need volunteers for. We primarily see two types of opportunities, date/time specific (i.e. every Monday from 2pm-4pm, Saturday, February 19, 2011, etc.) or ongoing (i.e. we need a volunteer every day Monday-Friday during business hours, there's not a set time/date the volunteer needs to show up, etc.). Date/time specific opportunities can be posted on our calendar of events and often appeal to volunteers who are looking to volunteer on a specific date/time.
2. Be specific in your opportunity description. Too much information can be overwhelming but if there are key points a volunteer needs to know or non-negotiable details it's better to list them up front and save yourself time contacting volunteers who aren't able to meet your requirements. Details that are typically helpful include:
- Is there a dress code? Consider what the volunteer will be doing and/or what your organizations standards are such as is business casual required or are jeans and t-shirts ok? Will the volunteer need closed toed shoes to perform the work or are shorts/tank-tops ok?
- Are there shifts available? If you need volunteers for a 6-8 hour period is it something that can be broken down into shorter 2-4 hour shifts or will the volunteer be required to attend the entire time?
- Are there any perks? Will volunteers get a free t-shirt, snacks or a meal? Sometimes the simplest thing can have the volunteers lining up to participate in your opportunity.
- Are there specific commitments/details? If there are specific requirements or things that must be completed by a volunteer you'll want to list them. Things like a requirement for 40 hours of training before you can volunteer, a two year commitment or a background check should be disclosed so that volunteers looking for a short term opportunity will know this may not be the right opportunity for them.
Don't forget that even if you note all the details in the posting some volunteers will still have questions or want to confirm what they read. We recommend once you receive the email stating a volunteer is signed up you follow up with an email or phone call to notify the volunteer you have received their information, to answer any questions/concerns they may have and to connect with them so they are confident that they are needed for the opportunity.
If you find a month or so down the road that you're not getting any volunteer referrals consider revising your posting. Could it be more exciting, is there a perk you can offer or is the opportunity not clear? Perhaps opening the age of volunteers you can engage would help. VC staff is always available to consult on updating your posting to try and increase the opportunities visibility. We can also feature your opportunity as the HOT Opportunity of the Week on our homepage and through our social networks.
PLEASE NOTE: If your opportunity is date/time specific please let us know if your opportunity falls on a date that your office is closed (i.e. Christmas, New Years, MLK Day, etc.). If you note on the Volunteer Opportunities Form that the opportunity is every Friday through the year but your office is closed for certain holidays please either note that on the form or contact us a few weeks prior to the date so we can remove the opportunity from our website. We do not assume your organization closes for holidays so unless we are directed to exclude certain days your posting will run continuously for the dates you specify on the form.
If you've revised your volunteer opportunities and would like to see them promoted for some extra visibility please contact Heather for placement on our homepage, through our social networks and on our newest promotional opportunity the Featured Partner Organization spot in our Volunteer Newsletter.
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