ENGAGING & RETAINING VOLUNTEERS COVA... · 2016. 5. 25. · VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES The...
Transcript of ENGAGING & RETAINING VOLUNTEERS COVA... · 2016. 5. 25. · VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES The...
ENGAGING & RETAINING VOLUNTEERS THE NEW YORK CARES LEADERSHIP LADDER
AGENDA
Introducing New York Cares
Volunteer Management Challenges and Strategies
The Volunteer Engagement Scale
Activity
Wrap Up
INTRODUCING NEW YORK CARES
Founded in 1987
Oldest and largest affiliate of
HandsOn Network
Engages 62,000 volunteers each year
VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES
The Problems:
30% of volunteer opportunities were going unfilled
55% of newly-oriented volunteers never signed up to serve
The Goal: To significantly increase recruitment and retention rates that
would result in more volunteers, as well as more volunteers with the
capacity and desire to become deeply engaged community leaders
VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Improve communications with potential volunteers
Revamp volunteer orientation
Communicate with every volunteer
Move volunteers up the leadership ladder
Increase organizational capacity
VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Improved Marketing to and Communication with Potential Volunteers
More engaging website
More personal and welcoming confirmation emails
Mobile-responsive website
VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Revamp Volunteer Orientation
Compelling confirmation email
Issue education
Orientation goal statement
Immediate sign up
Post-orientation follow up
VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Communicate with Every Volunteer
VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Move Volunteers Up the Leadership Ladder
Formalized application and vetting
Intensive and advanced training
Decreased focus on administration
Team leader networking
Public recognition
VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Increasing Staff and Organizational Capacity
New Staff
Volunteer Leaders
AmeriCorps Members and VISTAs
Me and
what army,
Lady?!?!?
RESULTS
VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT SCALE
New York Cares and Baruch College Survey Research Unit
27,000 volunteers
Key Questions
Who are volunteers?
What motivates them to volunteer and continue to volunteer?
How and do they move from managers to leaders?
And, is there a relationship between volunteering and other forms of civic engagement?
VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT SCALE
Level One: Shoppers
Individuals who call for information and/or attend an orientation session, but do not sign up for an event or project
Level Two: Episodic Contributors
Volunteers who participate in only one project annually
Level Three: Short-term Contributors
Volunteers who complete two to four projects per year for only one year and/or become Site Captains for an Annual Event
VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT SCALE
Level Four: Reliable Regulars
Volunteers who complete five or more projects for one year or two to four projects per year for more than one year
Level Five: Fully Engaged Volunteers
Volunteers who participate in five or more projects per year for more than one year, become Team Leaders, and/or assume other leadership roles such as serving as a Site Captain, assisting in volunteer orientation by joining New York Cares’ Speakers Bureau, or serving on an organizational fundraising or steering committee
Level Six: Committed Leaders
Volunteers who have committed to more than one year serving as a Team Leader, Site Captain, Speakers Bureau or committee member, and/or helping to cultivate contacts/donors
VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT SCALE
ACTIVITY
Find a partner
Talk about where your volunteers fall on the Volunteer Engagement Scale
Brainstorm three ways you can better engage and retain volunteers
QUESTIONS
RESOURCES
The Leadership Ladder:
https://www.newyorkcares.org/sites/default/files/publication/2009Leadership_Ladder.pdf
Great Volunteer Management System: https://www.newyorkcares.org/sites/default/files/publication/GVMSBook_0.pdf