Abstract

A concerted and methodical approach to assessing an organization's volunteer friendliness pays off in retention. Although this evaluation process takes effort and honesty, having trained volunteers stay can add much to a program's success. This practice is based on materials developed by Campaign Consultation, Inc., for the ASK to Sustain Institute held in San Diego, California, in October, 2003.

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Issue

New volunteers are more likely to stay if the climate in which they find themselves is supportive of their efforts. This won't happen without some proactive involvement on the part of program managers, staff, and other volunteers and members.

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Action

According to Campaign Consultation, Inc., taking a closer look at your organization before recruiting and orienting new volunteers can be a revelatory experience. Look around as if you were a new volunteer. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What does a new volunteer encounter when they enter your organization?
• Physically, is it an orderly, cheerful space?
• Who greets new volunteers? Are they greeted as if guests and new team members are welcome?
• Is there a predominant culture? How would someone who is different in some way be made to feel comfortable?
• What is the informal culture of the organization? Who talks to whom? Do staff greet each other? Do they talk about their lives, or is it an "all business" environment? Is there much gossiping? Are snide comments about management or other employees made? Do they share information about their projects or programs?
• How does the staff feel about having volunteers?
• Is there space and office equipment for volunteers?
• How do they become part of the team?

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Context

Campaign Consultation, Inc. works with individuals and organizations at local, state, national and international levels to achieve community development, fund raising, diversity utilization, issue advocacy, media and marketing, public policy as well as organizational and business development success.

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Outcome

Retaining volunteers is a key to success in volunteer management. Once an organization's culture is evaluated, there are many concrete steps that can be taken to improve the climate for volunteers, if necessary. See the effective practice, "Creating a welcoming environment for new volunteers" for more help with this next step.

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Posted On

November 11, 2003

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For More Information

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Related Practices

• Creating a welcoming environment for new volunteers
• Using volunteer retention principles to examine program strengths and challenges

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