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Contributing time,
energy and enthusiasm, volunteers are a boon to any
group/organization. Effectively engaged, they can help megaphone
our cause to a wide audience. However, recruiting and managing
volunteers requires patience, time, and skill.
Step1:
Finding-Volunteers
Great volunteers come in all age groups and with varied skill sets
– what you’re looking for are passionate, motivated people, who can
make time to speak up for animals.
- Even as of the digital
21st century, there’s really no substitute for word
of mouth – talk to colleagues, friends, existing activists and
your old college teachers to find the individuals who can help
you take your work to new heights.
- If your network doesn’t
yield favorable results, then the second easiest way to
recruit volunteers is to conduct outreach – malls and colleges
make the perfect venue! Motivated people often step up and are
curious about getting involved. While conducting outreach,
make sure you’re collecting e-mail addresses and phone numbers
(using a simple pledge sheet), to reach back to these
interested people.
- Another extremely
effective technique of recruitment is to stamp the leaflets
with a local number – that way people can find their way back
to you, when they’re interested!
Step2:
Making-First-Contact
After your event, you should have a few pledge sheets with numbers
and emails of individuals who already support your cause! Pick up
the phone and dial that number or send a quick email! Ensure that you
follow up with them within a period of 48 hours to turn your
audience into active volunteers.
Give them a chance for them to share their story-
what motivates them, what got them thinking about animals in the
first place, and where they are now. Baby steps are key, as you
don’t want to intimidate anyone.
Step 3: Engaging them in smaller activities
Once you’ve got the foot through the door –don’t waste time
–there’s a short span of time between which volunteers can get
active or passive –hence keeping them involved as they come is very
important! A volunteer should always be activated within a
week of being signed in.
Start by engaging new volunteers in simple activities, asking them
to type in pledges sheets, design posters, or turn up for an
existing event. Always ensure volunteers have clear
responsibilities that aren’t overwhelming.
Step4:
Retaining-Volunteers
A common sense of community is what keeps people close knit and
together- so have a little fun every once in a while! Organize a
potluck or a merchandise selling drive – try your hand at new and
innovative means of outreach!
One of the biggest strengths of a group is the sense of security of
a community, so new people to your local whatsapp
group – where they can ask their queries, talk about food, and
share stories of personal motivation!
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