Most students are very eager to have volunteer work on their
resumes - it's a win-win situation for both of you.
Volunteers are an essential part of your fundraising group.
They should help you motivate and inspire people to
participate in your cause and help you organize your event.
But how do you approach a new volunteer and convince them to
become involved with your group and selflessly give their
time and effort? Below we have some tips that will help you
recruit new fundraising volunteers.
Where to Recruit Fundraiser Volunteers
There are a few tactics and different places to check out for
recruiting fundraiser volunteers. You can advertise in your
local newspaper or simply by using word of mouth. An
essential part of all fundraisers is networking and talking
to people - you can use this same tactic when recruiting
volunteers. Talk to supporters at your events and ask them if
they've ever thought about supporting the cause with time
instead of money. Talk with current volunteers and see if
they have friends or family who would also like to get
involved.
You can also advertise at places like high schools and
colleges. Most students are very eager to have volunteer work
on their resumes - it's a win-win situation for both of you.
Some cities have volunteer bureaus that match up volunteers
with volunteer opportunities. This is a great way to find
potential fundraiser volunteer recruits.
After You Have a Few Interested Volunteers
After you have met with a individuals that are interested in
volunteering, it is important to explain to them exactly what
they can expect from your group. You should explain your
fundraising plans and how volunteers are essential to your
fundraising success. Ask for their feedback - it will help
you learn more about what participation level they would like
to have and their knowledge about fundraisers in general.
Volunteers should be energetic, motivating and full of useful
information.
Training Fundraising Volunteers
Training your new fundraiser volunteers doesn't have to be
hard, but they should be on the same page with you. Start by
showing them your fundraising plan so they can see the big
picture. Then allow them to ask questions and fully
understand how they fit into your fundraising expectations.
Tell them about your past fundraisers and what your new goals
are for this fundraiser. All volunteers should have a
specific task they are assigned but it would be a good idea
to train volunteers to do all tasks so jobs can be switched
and backed up if needed. Remember most importantly to praise
and thank your volunteers for a job well done. They need your
appreciation and thanks as much as you need their help and
support.
