VOLUNTEER REPORT set while ensuring that each task or assigned department is meaningful and enjoyable to them in some way. Pro Tip: Respect their uniqueness It would be natural to assign an accountant to the finance department or a former nurse to the patient ward of a hospital, but realize that volunteers may want to do something different than they do or did in their professional lives. The accountant may prefer to work with animals or be meeting and greeting people. The nurse may prefer to work on an art exhibit. As long as they’re capable and can do the job, assign them to their preferred task/area. A happy volunteer is a loyal volunteer. Communicate and listen to their feedback Listen to what your volunteers say. Volunteers who feel ignored probably won’t be volunteers for long. Therefore, ask their opinions, listen to their suggestions, and always follow up. When a volunteer approaches you with an idea, listen and ask questions. If it can be accommodated, let them know when it’s put into effect. However, if it’s one that is not actionable, follow up with a timely explanation. Understand what the volunteer wants, learn what their expectations are, and communicate regularly. The level of your volunteers’ engagement reflects your ability to listen to their wants, needs, and suggestions.
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Pro Tip: Create a feedback survey. Volunteers should be able to speak up directly, but some people are not comfortable giving constructive feedback in a group setting or during one-on-one meetings. A well-designed survey can be distributed regularly or available at all times to solicit feedback. Or use an online survey app like JotForm Survey Maker or SurveyMonkey. And make their names optional. This way a volunteer can raise their concern(s) without singling themselves out, and it will guarantee honest feedback. Give volunteers the training and resources they need Certainly, volunteers at nonprofits deserve the utmost respect. Provide them with the resources and tools they need to be successful, whether it’s a pen and paper or a computer with the proper software. Providing resources also includes providing sufficient training to do their jobs. It’s critical that the staff who are interacting with your volunteers are “on the same page” when it comes to volunteer engagement standards. Volunteers should have a welcoming point-person available to them who has time for their questions. This point-person should have the capacity to orient them to your work, and the desire to help them improve their skill set. Conducting regular performance evaluations with volunteers is another way to treat them as co-workers and show them you support their efforts and want to see them succeed. Respect them enough to spend time talking about their work and increase their responsibilities (when appropriate).
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Cultivate your volunteers for other, bigger roles Your volunteers may also be leaders — staff, advisors, board members, and consultants. Your volunteer pool may yield not only other human resources but donors. Sure, you’ll have volunteers who just want to show up and assist with whatever task you provide. However, the care and feeding of all of your volunteers are critical for your organization’s reputation and growth. You never know where resources will come from, so think of your volunteer force as a network of opportunity.
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Conclusion Motivating and engaging nonprofit volunteers is easier than your organization may think. Your volunteers want to make a difference. Allow them to grow and, together, your work will create change that supports your mission. And don’t forget to have fun with your volunteers—they are phenomenal people that share your same desire for success. RAVIRAJ HEGDE heads the sales and marketing team at Donorbox. His growth-hacking abilities have helped Donorbox boost fundraising efforts for thousands of nonprofit organizations.
Worth Watching
Here’s a useful webinar on How to Find Your Next 20 Volunteer Superstars with free tools and smart strategies. In conversation with Tobi Johnson, an internationally sought-after Tobi Johnson expert and master trainer in volunteer management, we discuss how you can attract a committed fan base to your cause. Tobi Johnson is known for her modern thought leadership, highly practical evidence-based strategies, and innovative, “big hat” thinking around engaging, supporting, and acknowledging the work of volunteers. She is the President of Tobi Johnson & Associates, a consulting firm whose mission is to help non-profit organisations make connections with remarkable volunteers. In 2015, she founded VolunteerPro, an online training and networking community for leaders of volunteers. Each year, she also conducts the Volunteer Management Progress Report, a global state-of-theindustry survey. In 2018, nearly 1,600 professionals from 16 countries participated. Take your time to watch the video and learn the art of attracting the best volunteers. https://youtu.be/nuWx9ZmE10E
September/October 2021
FOUNDATION Magazine
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