How on earth do you encourage people to volunteer?

Primrose

I am sure that this topic will have cropped up here before but as I'm new to this thread, does anybody have any creative ideas on how you can persuade 'ordinary people' to volunteer in their local communities? Wherever you look it's the same willing faces time and time again, and eventually as age overtakes them, nobody is coming forward to fill the gaps. The dreaded Criminal Records Bureau checks now being implemented in draconian ways doesn't help either. Is the Nanny State attitude so ingrained in everybody now that everybody automatically expects the State to do everything for them without them making any personal commitment?

Oldernotwiser

Offer them training and recognised qualifications and you may have more success.

Alikay

If you notice that someone is quite good at something, or even just reliable and seems to take an interest - ask them directly. I'm very shy and never would have put myself forward amongst what I saw as very confident and capable existing volunteers. However I was asked directly if I'd like to help with something and 10 years on DH and I along with our DD and son in law are still involved (and were especially active volunteers for a few years)

evelyn-b_2

What kind of things are you looking for volunteers to do? And what kind of time commitment are they required to make? A few years ago, I had a bit of time on my hands and liked the idea of volunteering but I could only manage evenings and I'm very shy (in fact, quite scared of meeting new people). I found it quite difficult to find information that helped me match up what I had to offer with organisations' requirements, so perhaps you could check your publicity material and make sure it gives some specific examples? Just a thought.

(I eventually found a lovely role doing the washing up after evening visits at a local hospice. It helped keep the place tidy and meant the staff could concentrate on looking after the patients. And I hardly had to talk to anyone!)

Savvy_Sue

The best way to get volunteers is to ask them personally and directly to help with something. Posters, invitations to meetings, emails etc are nowhere near as effective as the personal touch!

However, to catch those like evelyn who want to do something but don't know quite what, see if there is a local Volunteer Bureau, and post your 'vacancies' there. Google Volunteer and your nearest town to find it.

But the questions evelyn asks are very important - it's good to KNOW what you want done, and KNOW what the minimum time commitment would be to do it. People often fear that if they do anything, they'll be lumbered.

If it's committee members, then again your local Council for Voluntary Service may have example job descriptions, which would help someone work out if they could be Treasurer, for example. If it doesn't, I know Voscur does (that's my local CVS).

Some people will be attracted by qualifications and training, but others may be put off. We have some basic training which we consider essential for our volunteers, but they don't all like coming to it. However some people do come to us just to get experience before applying for jobs or eg Social Work training.

CRBs aren't going to go away, but I hope you can assure your volunteers that

a) they're essential (ie they will be working with children or vulnerable adults);
b) there will be ABSOLUTE discretion if someone has something on their check and it won't be all round the neighbourhood;
c) having something on your check doesn't bar you from volunteering, even if it's with children or vulnerable adults, it depends on what and when the caution / conviction is for;
d) if there IS something on the CRB check, the best way of overcoming the barriers it might otherwise place on employment is a decent spell of volunteering from which you can get a good reference!

Hermia

I think it's hard especially as we all work such long and irregular hours now.

The only suggestions I can make are:

1) Advertise in as many places as possible. It always amazes me how difficult it is to find voluntary work as so many organisations only seem to advertise in one place.
2) Try and emphasise the beneficial aspects of volunteering (e.g. opportunity to make friends etc.)
3) Emphasise that you will work with volunteers to find times that suit them. I love voluntary work, but have been put off on numerous occasions because organisations either wanted a huge commitment from me or wanted me to commit to hours for the next 6 months which is impossible as I don't work regular hours. I think the National Trust have got their volunteer ads right when they say that you can commit to just one day a month. I'm sure they will try and talk people into committing to more when they contact them, but it does make the whole thing seem a bit less scary for the volunteering virgin.
4) Look at your image. I live in the country and all the organisations around here that require volunteers seem to be run by the sort of middle-aged, middle-class bossy types who just seem to get off on endless meetings and agendas. I find it off-putting, but I think it is even more off-putting for any young person or ethnic minority person in the area. My black neighbour said she went to enquire about voluntary work and the woman in the office was clearly very uncomfortable at talking to someone black. It may be worth asking the "ordinary people" why they don't volunteer and if there is anything about your group that puts them off. Getting someone different to be the public face might make a huge difference.
5) Have you tried getting an article into the local paper? A friendly photo of the people and an inspiring interview might do more than any number of adverts.

laurel7172

Sometimes it's the "same faces" that are the problem. They ask for help, but they want servants rather than partners. I tried to do my bit for the PTA, for instance, but they didn't seem to want my sort of help. (How about if I organise, set up and run a stall to do X?). People don't get to turn down my energy and ideas and direct me to carry tables in support of theirs, I'm afraid.

missprice

well the only reasons i have volunteered for (PDSA and RSPCA and local parents group) were time to kill and needed something good on my CV/ a reference respectively

too many of the organisers/other volunteers are bossy ie they know it all and no point giving your opinion
and they ask for far too many hours and wont take " i can only commit to x hours" but will help at other times if i am able.

i have numerous skills to offer and even now would offer my time to anyone except for this seemingly endemic attitude that i am a slave and will do as told.
it is MY time and i offer it for a reason and bullying me for more just makes me leave.

i did offer to help at the loacal samaritans and was told they had enough volunteers thanks. thats fair but they had no other suggestions as to where else i may be able to help.

so as above, give examples of the kind of people that volunteer and what role they could play. dont be too fussy eg a bookkeeper can do most of the job of a treasurer, does not need to be an accountant. offer a reference or as something to fill in a CV as well as the feel good factor, and most importantly if they say they can do x hours please dont try to bully them into more

Savvy_Sue

Another thought for some people is that they are willing to volunteer, but can't afford the busfare, or have transport difficulties, or need childcare which they'd have to pay for. If you are able to meet these costs then it's worth saying so.

hatewashingmachines

I am fortunate enought not to have to work but I have been looking into volunteering somewhere locally and came across this website which you may find usefull....... you may already know of it but I'm sure a little extra publicity will help people sign up if they have a bit of time to spare
http://www.do-it.org.uk/

borders_dude

Target certain groups one at a time. That way you can tailor your approach to each groups.

One group could be the unemployed: Make an emphasis on the point that regular volunteering can look good on application forms and that you would be able to give a reference if required.

Another group could be older people in the community: Make an emphasis on keeping active in retirment, social aspect etc;

Another group could be young people: make an emphsis on getting work experience. Practical hands on experience in their career field if it applies, or the world of work in general. Again point out that it would be good to put on job application forms, college applications forms as it shows committment. Again you would be able to give a reference for the people.