When your organization utilizes volunteers to remain in operation, it is essential to keep the individuals happy with these tips. I’ve written before about the importance of keeping your volunteers happy, but now I’d like to share some tangible ways to actually accomplish this goal. When you have happy volunteers, your philanthropy is much more likely to achieve its goals and succeed.
Tip 1: Provide training for your volunteers
To help your volunteers feel more confident, make sure to provide training for them. For example, if your volunteers are helping out in an assisted living center, then teach them about emergency first-aid procedures. When you are training volunteers to work in a crisis call center, teach them how to remain calm while talking to someone who is having suicidal thoughts. Make sure to update the volunteers’ training occasionally in order to keep them abreast of the best developments in the field they’re working in for your philanthropy.
Tip 2: Have group meetings for your volunteers
While it is possible that your volunteers don’t work at the same times, it is important for them to know each other. Have group meetings on a routine basis so that your volunteers can communicate with one another. This is a good time for your volunteers to make suggestions to you concerning any changes in an organization as well as share their experiences and ideas with other volunteers.
Tip 3: Get to know your volunteers
Take time to talk to your volunteers to understand their knowledge. It is possible that a volunteer has specialized education and experiences that will make them more valuable for your charity. By knowing more about your volunteers, you can place them in the best positions in an organization and both of you get get the most from their volunteering.
Tip 4: Offer rewards to your volunteers
Reward your volunteers to make them feel more valuable at your philanthropy. At least once a year, have a reward dinner to give out certificates or plaques to your volunteers for things such as having excellent attendance or providing extra services to a client. This step also helps you retain great volunteers who can continue to help the charity.
Tip 5: Permit volunteers to choose their own schedules
To make volunteers happy, permit them to choose their own schedules. Many individuals want to volunteer, but they must have an open schedule that works with raising a family or working a full-time job. Some volunteers may only have a few hours available each month, but if they’re dedicated to your cause, they can still help make a difference.
Tip 6: Treat your volunteers with respect
Volunteers aren’t getting paid for working for you, and they also don’t get health care insurance or retirement benefits. Make sure to treat your volunteers with respect by acknowledging how valuable they are to your organization. Determine how a volunteer wants to help you with your philanthropy so that you can place them in the correct role that suits their interests.