Recruiting members and volunteers for environmental programs

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Abstract

Environmental programs are unique, as are the members attracted to this type of service. Streamlined and targeted recruitment results in higher applicant numbers and more desirable applicants, therefore leading to greater accomplishment within programs. This effective practice offers recruitment strategies for program directors, from ideas posted on the Environmental Literacy and Service Learning e-mail discussion list in July 2002.

Issue

Recruiting volunteers and members to environmental programs may call for a different kind of focused recruitment effort.

Action

Environmental service groups report success using the following recruitment methods:

College career fairs. Target local colleges and those with natural resource programs. (Submitted by Kris Escarda, Watersheds Stewards Project, Fortuna, California, coho@northcoast.com)
Presentations at colleges and high schools (seek groups such as environmental clubs). (Submitted by Patrick Bright, Maryland Conservation Corps, Mitchelville, Maryland, pjbright@dnr.state.md.us)
Target college departments/professors. Environmental Studies, Community Studies, Earth Studies, Anthropology, and Biology Departments may yield interested students. (Submitted by Kris Escarda, Watersheds Stewards Project, Fortuna, California, coho@northcoast.com)
College career centers are dedicated to providing comprehensive, quality career development and employment/internship programs and resources, and to fostering partnerships with on and off campus community. College career centers employ innovative technology, program development, and continuous updating of resources through research and analysis. (Submitted by Kris Escarda, Watersheds Stewards Project, Fortuna, California, coho@northcoast.com)
Youth Conservation Corps. The purpose of the Youth Conservation Corps program is to further the development and maintenance of the natural resources of the United States by America's youth. It is a summer employment program for young men and women age 15 through 18, from all segments of society, who work, learn, and earn by doing projects on public land. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture /Forest Service, U. S. Department of Interior's Fish and Wildlife and National Park Service. These young people might be interested in extending their service terms. In addition to the national program, states (and oftentimes cities) usually have conservation corps programs also, with similar ideals and goals. (Submitted by Kris Escarda, Watersheds Stewards Project, Fortuna, California, coho@northcoast.com)
Post fliers at parks and forests sites. (Submitted by Patrick Bright, Maryland Conservation Corps, Mitchelville, Maryland, pjbright@dnr.state.md.us)
Attend special events at state parks. (Submitted by Patrick Bright, Maryland Conservation Corps, Mitchelville, Maryland, pjbright@dnr.state.md.us)
Earth Day events. Earth Day, which occurs annually on April 22, involves tens of thousands of events, from rallies and teach-outs to concerts and fairs. This is a great opportunity to approach like-minded environmentalists. (Submitted by Patrick Bright, Maryland Conservation Corps, Mitchelville, Maryland, pjbright@dnr.state.md.us)
Word of mouth/program alumni. Word of mouth is one of the primary ways people hear about AmeriCorps. Training members to tell others about their personal experience in AmeriCorps will help others see how they can get involved. Or they might tell their friends or relatives about the chance to join. (Submitted by Kris Escarda, Watersheds Stewards Project, Fortuna, California, coho@northcoast.com)
Community based recruitment that includes community centers, pools, 4H clubs, and scout troops. (Submitted by Patrick Bright, Maryland Conservation Corps, Mitchelville, Maryland, pjbright@dnr.state.md.us)
Newspaper advertisements. Focus efforts on publications that concentrate on environmental issues. (Submitted by Patrick Bright, Maryland Conservation Corps, Mitchelville, Maryland, pjbright@dnr.state.md.us)
The AmeriCorps National Recruitment Site. Programs report success with the AmeriCorps National Service recruitment website (https://recruit.cns.gov/) both in numbers and quality of applicants. For instance: Watershed Stewards Project in Fortuna, California reports that 8-10 of their current (2002) 56 members were recruited from the AmeriCorps website; Maryland Conservation Corps reports about 25 percent of their present members came from that site in 2002 and that about 50% of members for 2003 will have come from the Corporation for National and Community Service's site. (Submitted by Kris Escarda, Watersheds Stewards Project, Fortuna, California, coho@northcoast.com and also submitted by Patrick Bright, Maryland Conservation Corps, Mitchelville, Maryland, pjbright@dnr.state.md.us) NOTE: The AmeriCorps Recruitment and Placement System has been retired and replaced by the new My AmeriCorps system. Organizations should go to the website at http://recruit.cns.gov/faq_spons_grant.html for more information.
Program specific web sites. Typically, potential applicants can access a service site map from the home page. Clicking on an individual city gives a site-specific overview of the project as well as particular service activities and contact information. Potential applicants can then download an application and mail it along with a resume for review. (Submitted by Kris Escarda, Watersheds Stewards Project, Fortuna, California, coho@northcoast.com
Local recruitment sites that exist for AmeriCorps and other service programs.
AmeriCorps e-mail discussion list (ACList). This electronic discussion group is a great place to share resources with peers in service. T he AmeriCorps e-mail discussion list is a forum for AmeriCorps programs, state commissions, Training and Technical Assistance providers, staff of the Corporation for National and Community Service, and anyone else interested in AmeriCorps. Discussion focuses on training, technical assistance, and programmatic issues. Subscribe herehttp://lists.etr.org/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=aclist.
The Environmental e-mail discussion list . Launched in July of 2002 by the Corporation for National and Community Service and focuses on issues of environmental concern. [Note: Due to funding shortages, this e-mail discussion list is no longer active.]

Context

Recruitment is a large part of a program's vitality and vibrancy. How a program is portrayed may be just as important as where recruitment efforts take place. Recruiters should target the populations they are hoping to attract. Define the segment and then carefully weigh word choices in printed materials and when communicating directly with potential volunteers and members. For example, The Maryland Conservation Corps noted a marked increase in applications after listing "wildlands fire fighting" in the service description. The Training and Outreach Coordinator of that program realized that besides a high level of education, desire to save vital resources, and earnest ethic of service, these 17 - 25 year olds were interested in adventure. Consequently, adding " fire fighting" to the service description increased recruitment numbers dramatically.

Outcome

Attracting the right type of applicant who is a match for a program will result in more applicants who are likely to become volunteers or members, and greater overall program success.

Posted On

August 19, 2002

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AmeriCorps

Keywords:

AmeriCorps

Environment

Volunteer management

Resource Center