Most BIAs find that they have more success recruiting volunteers when they define exactly what needs to be done and how much time is required.
For instance, potential volunteers often envision themselves staffing booths or blowing up balloons — but they don’t realize that their computer skills might be needed in the BIA office, their design skills could help in creating attractive promotional materials, or that they can assist in recruiting other volunteers or researching additional funding sources.
Volunteer Toronto has been helpful in providing materials for this section.
Please use the sample volunteer recruitment form as a template. It can be distributed throughout your BIA to help with volunteer recruitment.
This will be the volunteer’s identification. Give this as much prestige as possible.
A short, concise statement, reflecting the ultimate goal of the service to be performed.
Include all things necessary for the effective performance of duties, listing requirements from physical to human qualities desired. Be careful not to over qualify the position because you could lose some excellent volunteers due to stringent educational requirements. Specific requirements such as a car, and insurance should be noted.
List each duty and responsibility of the job as specifically as possible.
Include the specific content of the orientation and training, as well as the approximate number of hours required. Identify and contact the individuals who will conduct the training.
Include the exact duty hours and days of the week, and the location where the volunteer is to perform the services. Be specific.
The minimum number of months you need from the volunteer based on your investment in training and supervision becomes the minimum length of commitment for the volunteer. A maximum time commitment should also be specified for the volunteer.
Name the supervisor and the position. In most cases this will be the staff person with direct responsibility for the service. Include a schedule of supervisory sessions.
List any available benefits to the volunteer such as free parking, coffee, mileage reimbursement and insurance.
A BIA might consider:
Remember, an effective recruitment message has three parts: the need, the job description and the benefits.
This section provides important information about a key component of your BIA: the volunteer board of management. It provides essential tips to assist you with recruiting, interviewing and retaining board members as well as volunteers involved in special events and other projects.