Five Steps to Motivate Volunteers

Volunteers are important to your organization - they perform necessary services, tell your story in the community, offer moral and spiritual support and much more. They want to give of their time - that's right - they are not obligated to do so, but want to do so. They are driven to volunteer for a variety of reasons - to make a difference, a sense of duty and personal fulfillment are but a few.

Engaging volunteers in the life of your organization is key to their continued involvement. Consider these tips to keep volunteers motivated:

Show Volunteers the Bigger Picture - It is important for volunteers to know how they fit into the overall mission of your organization. The more they know, the more passionate they will become.
Enable Volunteers to Self-Select Success - Get to know your volunteers and what satisfies their need to give. Help your volunteers achieve their personal goals and you both will be richly rewarded.
Provide Volunteers with Training - Eliminate complications and frustration by providing volunteers with the tools they need to successfully complete their tasks: checklists, sample letters, written processes, role playing, answers to questions, etc. Confident volunteers are powerful ambassadors.
Create Volunteer Job Descriptions - Be very specific about assigned tasks - include expectations, outcomes and timelines. When people understand the full scope of their responsibilities, you have a wonderful foundation for success.
Appreciate, Recognize and Reward Your Volunteers for Small and Large Accomplishments - Thank your volunteers - publicly, in writing and in front of others. Recognize them in newsletters, programs and at annual meetings. Reward them by including them on a personal level - invite them to internal celebrations and send cards on special occasions.

Motivated volunteers are infectious - their enthusiasm lends credibility to your organization.

- Teresa Stohs, MS, Vice President (Kansas City) tstohs@hartsookcompanies.com

Another smart idea...From the Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM

"Invite donors to volunteer at home repair or other social service projects to deepen their commitment to your organization." - Teresa R. McAnly, Christian Appalachian Project (Lancaster, Ky.)

If you are interested in Best Practices, check out these additional resources from Hartsook Companies:

"Reality Fundraising: Proven, Practical Ideas for the Enlightened Fundraiser" by Bob Hartsook (2005, ASR Philanthropic Publishing). The book features great ideas, insights and lessons learned through hundreds of best practices from nonprofit professionals nationwide. To order the book, follow this link http://www.ASRpublishing.com
"Best Practices Coast to Coast^SM," a compilation of best practices from every state in the union
"Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM," our original collection of 250 best practices and great ideas

For a free copy of any or all of the "Best Practices" collections, please email Erika Turner, erika@hartsookcompanies.com, or visit our web site at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com/bestpractices2.shtml. We also invite you to contribute your own best practice by emailing Tami Druzba, tami@hartsookcompanies.com

The Hartsook School of Consulting

Bob Hartsook, an icon and expert in the fundraising profession, has been dedicated to the education and advancement of fundraising for decades. He has offered seminars in more than 30 cities across the country; been a guest speaker for countless conferences, symposiums and classrooms; and authored six books and mountains of articles.

In 2007, Bob will take training to a new level - The Hartsook School of Consulting, a fundraising executive boot camp.

Keep watching various industry publications for more information. Or, if you want to be one of the first to hear more, send an email to hsc@hartsookcompanies.com with your contact information.

Interested in Speakers?

Hartsook consultants are available to speak to your organization on a variety of topics. To read more, visit http://www.hartsookcompanies.com/speak.shtml or email Tami Druzba at tami@hartsookcompanies.com to discuss the possibilities.

Visit the Hartsook Companies web site for:

• Educational opportunities
• Books/reference articles
• Conference/workshop speakers

Strategies for Success explores smart ideas, connecting with more than 1,500 fundraising professionals bi-weekly. We welcome your contributions or comments. If you'd like a free subscription to Strategies for Success - or its monthly companion, eHartsook on Philanthropy - contact Erika Turner, erika@hartsookcompanies.com. You also can reach her at 316.630.9992.

Our web site is located at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com.