Tips for finding and retaining volunteers

As a club it’s likely that you are looking for ways of finding and retaining volunteers. After all, these are the people who are willing to give their time to help your club.

Here are a few ideas for finding and retaining volunteers to help you on your way.

Finding volunteers

When recruiting new volunteers, it’s important to make sure that you:

1. Ascertain areas of need
2. Define roles clearly
3. Identify opportunities for recruiting volunteers
4. Use effective recruitment methods
5. Create strong links with local colleges, community centres etc.

Retaining volunteers

Make your volunteers feel welcome. Try to provide all volunteers with an induction, including key information, expectations and offering support.

It’s important that you encourage and empower volunteers to take responsibility. It may help to arrange for someone to act as a mentor or buddy, or offer an opportunity for them to shadow someone in the role until the new volunteer feels confident.

Keep open communication at all times. An important part of retaining volunteers is making sure they feel their opinion counts.

Here are a few questions you can ask to ensure that they feel their views are being taken into account.

1. Are you enjoying yourself in the role?
2. What are the good points/ not so good points?
3. Is the role what you expected it to be? If not, why not?
4. Would you like to take on anything else?
5. Is there any training you would like to get involved in?
6. What else, if anything, would help you in your role?

Finally, it’s imperative you make your volunteers feel valued and supported at all time.