March 2007 E-bulletin

FEATURE ARTICLE
Motivating Volunteers Who Do Repetitive Jobs
RELATED RESOURCES
Resources to motivate and engage volunteers
TIPS & TOOLS
Checklist for Training Door-to-Door Canvassers
SPECIAL EVENTS
Volunteer Awards Dinner
Panel Discussion: Employer Supported Volunteering Programs
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Canadian Directory of Foundations and Grantmakers
Workplace Safety & Health Training Scheduled
CBC News at Six Recognizes Unsung Heroes - seeking nominations
New organizations added to CONTACT Community guide

FEATURE ARTICLE

Motivating Volunteers Who Do Repetitive Jobs
By: Tracy Douglass

Volunteer Manitoba has been spreading the word that in order to recruit and retain volunteers you need to design positions that match the interests and goals of both the organization and the volunteer. However, sometimes you just need the envelopes filled, the phone calls made, the raffle tickets sold, or the photocopies done.

The first step in motivating a volunteer to do a repetitive or mundane job is to STOP. Have you absolutely looked at every single option and alternative to make this position more meaningful or appealing? You owe it to your potential volunteer and the entire voluntary sector to be more creative and ensure the volunteer experience is rewarding because that volunteer will share their experience with others. One bad experience can mean fewer volunteers in the future.

However, if there is no other way - what then? How can we ensure that the experience of doing a repetitive volunteer job is as rewarding as possible? I located a guide used by a Recyling Program in the United Kingdom that outlines how to run a door-to-door canvassing campaign (www.wrap.org.uk) and here are some excerpts.

In the guide, the writer describes three ways to motivate their volunteer canvassers which I have generalized to include other repetitive volunteer positions.

1. Speak to these volunteers daily - often these volunteers work alone or away from the energy of the workplace. It's your responsibility to keep them feeling connected and a valuable part of the team. These daily interactions should also be used to remind them how their work is directly contributing to the organization.

2. Hold regular, face-to-face meetings - this feature is especially important when you have a group of volunteers doing the same job but in different locations. For example, telephone surveyors or canvassers. These meetings give opportunities to raise problems or questions and allow the volunteers to share their experiences.

3. Ensure accountability - Give daily targets and check progress. Sometimes it is difficult to remember that photocopying or doing surveys is important. Establishing targets and holding them accountable gives a regular reminder that the organization considers their position very important and keeps the volunteer committed.

Volunteers are a valuable, scarce resource and deserve to be treated accordingly.

Looking for different ideas for small fundraisers that don't burn our your volunteers? Click here to read about our newest workshop: Beyond Chocolate Bars

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RELATED RESOURCES

Resources from Volunteer Manitoba's Resource Library:

Training Busy Staff to Succeed With Volunteers - Shares methods to build commitment to your volunteer program, to design training sessions to enhance staff competence in volunteer utilization.

Volunteer Management: Mobilizing all the Resources of the Community - An entire chapter devoted to the topic of creating motivating volunteer jobs.

Volunteers: How to Get Them, How to Keep Them - Focuses on basic needs of volunteers and volunteer leaders that, if met, will help you recruit and retain volunteers that bring the skills you need to your organization.

To borrow any of these resources: Ph: 477-5180, Toll-Free: 1-888-922-4545, or
E-mail: vmresource@mts.net

Websites:

www.energizeinc.com - Resources for leaders of volunteers
www.nanhawthorne.com - Articles about volunteer management
www.volunteertoday.com - Electronic newsletter about volunteerism

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TIPS & TOOLS

Checklist for Training Door-to-Door Canvassers
A section from: Step By Step Guide to Door-to-Door Canvassing, WRAP's Rotate Program (Recycling Advisory Service), United Kingdom, www.wrap.org.uk

Door-to-door canvassing is considered an inherently risky volunteer position and training your volunteer is a great way to effectively reduce these risks. Training can be organized into three categories:

1. Service Related Information

- overview of the organization
- description of any relevant program
- sheet of relevant statistics
- list of FAQ's and sample responses

2. Working arrangements and procedures

- reporting procedures and customer care
- health and safety procedures
- recording requirements
- explanation on how to complete any required forms

3. Interpersonal and Communication Skills

- survey and canvassing skills
- methods to approach householder
- how to introduce yourself
- pitching the conversation
- body language
- overcoming objections
- how to end lengthy conversations

Looking for information on evaluating and reducing risk for your volunteers? Click here to read about our new workshop: Is Your Organization Safe Enough?

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SPECIAL EVENTS

Volunteer Manitoba's 24th Annual Volunteer Awards Dinner

Volunteer Manitoba will host the 24th Annual Volunteer Awards Dinner on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 during Volunteer Week from April 15 - 21, 2007 at the Convention Centre in Winnipeg.

Reception to begin at 5:30pm with a dinner and awards presentation to follow at 6:00pm. Tickets are only $40.00 per person.

For information about Volunteer Week or Dinner Ticket Order Forms visit our website: www.volunteermanitoba.ca/awards
or contact Coralee Dolyniuk at (204) 975-8203, email: volunteer@strauss.ca.

Panel Discussion: Employer Supported Volunteer Programs

Volunteer Manitoba invites you to attend a panel discussion: “Employee Volunteering: Good for Business?” Attend on Tuesday March 20, 2007 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm and find out why programs that encourage and enable employees to volunteer are becoming an increasingly prominent feature of corporate life. The panel includes
- four Winnipeg companies that will outline their unique program
- a MAVA representative to speak on how to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship
- a Volunteer Manitoba representative outlining the trends in Employer Supported Volunteer Programs and the benefits for all stakeholders.

For more information, download the flyer, phone 477-5180 or email vm@mts.net.

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