If you’ve ever felt desperate to attract volunteers, keep in mind the benefits they’ll be receiving.
1) Volunteering can save people. Not only the people they’re helping, but the volunteers themselves. Shelley Shellabarger found it difficult when she moved to Washington State a few years ago with no connections, no friends and no outlets. She started volunteering and is now the Volunteer Program Coordinator for the City of Bellevue. With 25 years of experience in management, she believes in the power of collaboration. Shelley provides several resources to nonprofits listed at the end of this article.
2) Volunteering gives people leads to new jobs. For those without a job, you offer them ways to get into organizations and meet people who might just be the contact needed to land their next perfect job. You offer them a way to feel empowered and confident rather than being another unemployed person wasting their time watching TV.
3) Volunteers get training and hands-on experience – At the Volunteer Summit, people at the forum talked about the extensive training they give their volunteers. Whether it’s how to garden organically or how to lead better conversations, volunteers get low-cost or free training they perceive as valuable.
4) Volunteering gives new mothers a chance for human, adult connection. Shelley sees mothers who, after being with a baby or toddler all day, get their own needs for adult interaction met through volunteering. They may not a full-time job, so a meaningful volunteer position is the perfect solution.
5) Volunteers get recognition. Imagine the self-respect your volunteer feels when they receive acknowledgement. You’re offering people the highest state of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs — self-actualization. Beyond satisfying the basic needs of safety, food, shelter, people’s inherent nature is to strive to reach a higher level of meaning.
Nonprofit professionals who work with volunteers are beyond thinking of using people for monetary value. They value the skill of the individual and match it to the best possible position.
Shelly invites you to post your volunteer opportunities online at the Bellevue Volunteer Webpage in the Community Volunteering Guide.
The City of Bellevue offers two services to volunteer-using agencies. The Volunteer Manager’s Listserve provides announcements on training, partnering opportunities, grant information and more. The Volunteer Coalition is a group that meets to provide networking and partnering opportunities. If you’d like to be involved with the Coalition meetings or on her listserve, contact Shelley at SShellabarger@cityofbellevue.gov