The document by Blake Bryant outlines strategies for recruiting, retaining, and recognizing volunteers within organizations. It emphasizes the importance of preparing for volunteers, managing their contributions effectively, and creating an inviting volunteer culture that acknowledges their efforts. Additionally, it provides resources and tips for enhancing volunteer management and ensuring a positive experience for both the organization and its volunteers.

1. RETAIN YOUR BEST
VOLUNTEER WORKFORCE
BLAKE BRYANT

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Our Presenter
BLAKE BRYANT
Team Lead, Customer
Success
Vendini
hello@vendini.com
@Vendini

3. AGENDA
RECRUIT
RETAIN
RECOGNIZE
REMEMBER

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We make a living
by what we get,
but we make a life
by what we give.
- Winston Churchill

5. DEFINING A VOLUNTEER

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WHAT A VOLUNTEER IS…
• An advocate for your organization
• Driven by your mission
• Crucial to the foundation of your organization

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WHO MAKES UP
VOLUNTEERS?
• Patrons
• Friends and Family
• Skilled tradespeople
• Those looking to be
connected with your
organization

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WHY DO PEOPLE
VOLUNTEER?
• To be a part of something they
believe in
• To get connected to community
• As a social outlet
• To make a difference
• To bolster their resumes
• Volunteer requirements (school
program, company incentives)

9. RECRUIT

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PREPARE
This isn’t preparing the volunteers
for work, but it’s about YOU
preparing yourself for your
volunteers.

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THE BIG ASK:
“WOULD YOU
LIKE TO HELP US?”
• Place Volunteer Button on
your website
• Use Patron Tags to manage lists
• Use email marketing to
communicate

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WHERE ELSE?
• Online Resources
• Community Resources
• Ask Your Current Volunteers!

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LEVERAGE
SOCIAL MEDIA
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• NextDoor

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CHOOSING
VOLUNTEERS
• It’s okay to be picky
• Be specific about what
you’re looking for
• It’s okay to ask for short
term volunteers

15. RETAIN

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TRAINING
• Clarity
• Empowering legacy
volunteers
• Refreshing and updating

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MANAGING
VOLUNTEERS
• volunteer coordinator
• Keep track of time contributions
• Create Volunteer Handbook
• Clearly defined roles and
expectations
• Avoid burnout

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STEPS FOR
SUCCESS
• Keep lines of
communication open
• Share your own goals
• Lead by example
• Stay organized and
energized!

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DURING YOUR
EVENT
• Volunteer HQ
• Identify Volunteers
• Dress, name badge
• Be aware of H.A.L.T.
• Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired

20. RECOGNIZE

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THE IDEAL
VOLUNTEER
EXPERIENCE
• Self empowering
• Motivating
• Generates excitement about
the next time
• Provides sense of
community

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AFTER THEY
VOLUNTEER
• Publicly recognize their work
• Newsletters, “Thank You”
dinners
• Incentivize volunteers to
come back
• Solicit feedback
• Letters of reference and
certificates
• People use these on resumes

23. REMEMBER

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KNOW THEIR RIGHTS
• Workers perform services typically associated with volunteer work
• Services don’t displace any regular employees
• Volunteer works less than full time
• Services are truly voluntary

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Some Do’s and Don’ts to Consider
• Do hold high standards
• Don’t Just make Up a Job
• Do walk the talk
• Don’t forget to stick to your timeline

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RESPECT
• Respect their time
• Respect their role
• Respect their willingness

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THE VOLUNTEER CULTURE
• Make it fun for them!
• Give them a sense of pride
• Provide a collaborative
environment
• Facilitate team building
• Create a community
across all constituents
• Be thankful!

28. STEPS FOR SUCCESS

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STEPS FOR SUCCESS
• Think of your volunteer program as cyclical
• Support everyone who supports you
• Evaluate
• Adapt

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31. QUESTIONS?

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Share your success stories with us!
Email us at hello@vendini.com

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RESOURCES
• Free volunteer management websites
• www.signupgenius.com
• www.volunteersignup.org
• www.signmeup.com
• Free scheduling tools
• www.meetingwizard.com
• www.needtomeet.com
• www.calendly.com
• www.doodle.com

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RESOURCES
• “The Seven Deadly Sins of Recruiting Volunteers,” by Thomas
W. McKee
• http://www.volunteerpower.com/articles/7sins.asp
• The New Breed: Understanding and Equipping the 21st
Century Volunteer
• http://www.volunteerpower.com/

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RESOURCES
• Independent Contractor: Self-employed or Employee
• https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-
employed/independent-contractor-self-employed-or-employee
• Appreciating Volunteers
• http://www.forpurposelaw.com/appreciating-volunteers/
• Legal Issues Related to Volunteering
• http://www.ifrc.org/docs/IDRL/Volunteers/Legal%20issues%20relate
d%20to%20volunteering%20-
%20Toolkit%20for%20National%20Societies%20-%20En.pdf