Sometimes it may be relatively easy to attract volunteers but much harder to keep their interest and participation. Here are some suggestions for keeping volunteers happy and involved:
• The committee chair is prepared, organized, focused, warm, kind, friendly, helpful and welcoming, assigning responsibilities to the members instead of doing everything himself or herself. Meetings are as short as possible while still being productive.
• Volunteers recognize leadership opportunities – first serve on the committee, then chair the committee, then serve on the board, then preside over the board.
• Board members are committee liaisons, not committee chairs, to allow for the incubation of future leaders.
• Shortly after the annual meeting, hold an organization meeting of the board and committee chairs to familiarize everyone with the community’s mission statement, progress and challenges and to brainstorm new goals and objectives.
• Recognize volunteers at every opportunity. Give credit every time there’s an audience. Showcase a volunteer in every newsletter and on the website. Acknowledge committees and committee members in newsletters, minutes and member correspondence.
• Allow each committee chair to present a 3 - 5 minute “committee in review” at the annual meeting or in the annual meeting handout, listing all the committee members.
• Install brick pavers honoring specific volunteers.
• Hold an annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner/Barbecue/Lunch with spouses and families.
• Ask for a Mayoral Proclamation recognizing a particular volunteer or committee.
• Recognize a “Volunteer of the Year.”
• Ask contractors and vendors to contribute gift cards and other tokens of appreciation.
• The committee chair and board president should regularly communicate with and encourage volunteers so there’s no disconnect between the board and the committees’ goals. They should also attend committee meetings occasionally to personally thank the volunteers.
• Heartfelt, genuine hand-written thank-you notes are always appreciated.
• Surprise them with chocolates, a bag of sweets or an edible arrangement.
• Present “This is Your Life” for a long-term volunteer.
• Create and maintain a photo album or scrapbook highlighting volunteer projects and successes.
• Provide a comfortable, safe, welcoming, encouraging, appreciative environment.
• Provide snacks and non-alcoholic beverages at meetings. • Encourage creative thinking and collaboration. • Set reasonable workloads and deadlines.
• Cancel unnecessary meetings and disband superfluous committees.
The true value of someone’s time and talents are measured by the sense of fulfillment and accomplishment they feel when they know that their work has been worthwhile. Treat volunteers with the respect, kindness and appreciation they deserve. They are the lifeblood of community associations – they help accomplish work of the association but also establish values and priorities of the membership. The more effective and committed our volunteers, the more successful the community will be and the happier the members. The more positive their experience as a volunteer, the better chance they’ll continue to serve. Volunteers will also prove invaluable in recruiting other volunteers. So, go forth and recruit, welcoming those volunteers and expressing your appreciation at every opportunity.
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