How to Motivate Volunteers

Dear A.,

Thank you so much for bringing up this topic. It is one I struggle with. I am looking forward hearing ideas from others. Here is my suggestions. People seem to be fearful of stepping into a situation that will be to big to say "no" to later, or worry that they will not be able to perform the task successfully-- so they don't even try once. Here is what has worked for me:

-- I have good luck asking two friends to volunteer for the same task (or two tasks) so that they can do it together.

-- I have broken down tasks to things that can be done at home or to things that are under two hours at the school or church. If I am leading a group I always feed people and allow them to bring their children.

-- I follow up with the volunteers after an event to thank them and get their feedback. People love to be listened to. This small action helps me know them better and contact them next time.

Everyone is busy and guilt does not work. No one will want to join a party if everyone is complaining how busy they are. As a leader, stay optimistic and if you can't, maybe you need to sit an event out. Burn-out can catch up with you very quickly and it is important to read the warning signs. Cancel an event if you don't get enough volunteers -- this will wake up the sleeping parents who think that someone else will always step in when they should.

Best of luck!

Kelly J
Oakland CA

I volunteer a lot a my daughter's school. I ran the Book Fair for two years and that is a volunteer heavy event. I solicited volunteers through general announcements but I also asked people I knew, friends and acquaintances, to do specific jobs. I have a friend (a stay at home mom) who, for some reason, rarely volunteers. I asked her to dress up as Clifford the Big Red Dog for three afternoon's at the fair - and she did it and enjoyed it. I asked other friends to cashier, etc. These people aren't necessarily best friends, but people I see when I pick-up my daughters. More importantly, I thanked them for their help and sent thank you notes after the event, hoping that this would make the volunteer feel appreciated and encourage them to keep volunteering.

I think that people will sometimes volunteer for teacher and class-related activities but may not want to help with the Parents Assoc-related activities. When I was a new mom at our school and saw the requests for help, I figured that they had enough people or I figured it was too complicated for me to help.

I think explaining the duties, explaining the need, and asking people directly (if possible) are good strategies.

M.

You're right - it is tough and a quick road to burn out when the same people show up for every job.

Things that helped - asking people to do a specific thing rather than just a broad "help out."

Ask individuals what the barriers are - for me, as a single mom, it was arranging childcare and meals so it really helped if kids could come or if it was something I could do from home. Our PTA meetings had better turn outs when there was food.

Connie, mom to 2 daughters - 18 & 20 (!!!) - who have learned to be volunteers from years of going with their mom.

I prefer to go to any meeting with snacks provided. And I remember the horrible, boring meetings about nothing. Cut the chatter and cut to the chase about what is needed. Writing it down is good. Stop asking if there are any questions, there always are, and pretty much meaningless. Tell them if anyone has questions they can ask you after the meeting. If multiple meetings are necessary you can rotate who can takes snacks.

Follow up on volunteers. A lot of people "do not" follow up right away with the people who said they would help. Maybe people who stay home would prefer doing the paperwork than the leg work. And how about sending a personal note to every person to find out who is a single parent, has 2 jobs, never home so that you know who really would be availble? A lot of people love to stay home and cook, they could help for cakes for raffles or food sales.

And don't forget that working people with money prefer to throw money and snacks at you than work. That's still great!

A.,

Are you a mind reader? I have the same question myself! I run a non-profit organization that is under-staffed and under-funded and I'm always looking for folks to volunteer. It's a group called Making Our Milk Safe (MOMS) and we're actually in Alameda too, right next door to the Main Library. We're always looking for folks who could even spend one or two hours a week, either at home or in our office and we've been struggling to recruit volunteers.

As a mom myself, I know how precious free time is, and we've really tried to make things easy for volunteers (there's a spot for nursing & changing diapers (we even have some here), some books and blocks for older kids. I'm pregnant now with #2, and am looking to recruit some volunteers to help with writing, website maintenance, and database updates before I have this second baby. We work on important issues like eliminating toxic chemicals from the environment that are found in our bodies and in mother's milk. The issues are important, but we haven't been successful in recruiting steady volunteers to help.

I'm going to watch this thread to see if you get many responses to this because I'm willing to do what it takes to get folks involved!! Thanks for writing this!

M.

This is a great question. I am looking forward to reading more responses.

All suggestions so far sound good. I especially like the suggestion that people like to be heard.

I also notice that parents tend to be "clicky" and once comfortable with a few parents they don't tend to venture out and meet or get to know other parents through out the year. Volunteering is a great way to get to know other parents at school which in the long run will help with over all volunteering.

Having a 2 year old home with me makes it difficult to volunteer unless there is childcare. So that would be my suggestion.

Good luck and will be watching to see what other advice is out there.