If so – you need to be sure to connect with your volunteers
Running a non-profit is not easy! First, there is the challenge of trying to fit in doing the work of the non-profit (as a volunteer!) while also doing your real job (after all – the real work is what pays the mortgage.)
However, let’s remember that everyone else helping out is a volunteer too! It is so easy to toss work over the fence to our volunteers and forget they are there. We are just too busy trying to hold so much together and forget about our volunteers especially when they are doing a great job!
Here are just a few ways to stay connected with your volunteers and keep them engaged:
- When you assign a project to your volunteers, check in to see how they are progressing with their tasks.
- Have monthly meetings with volunteers who report to you so that they can share best practices with each other and problem solve together. Use this time to strategize with the group. And it is a great time to socialize.
- At least once a year have a volunteer event to recognize their efforts and thank them for their hard work.
- At events, recognize your volunteers publicly so that everyone knows who they are and the work they do for the organization.
- List your volunteers on the organization website – along with their photo and a brief bio.
And remember – always say THANK YOU for all of their hard work! A simple “thank you” goes a long way!
