Volunteer management is a rewarding but challenging skill that requires building trust and rapport with new volunteers. Trust and rapport are essential for creating a positive and productive volunteer experience, as well as retaining and motivating volunteers. How do you build trust and rapport with new volunteers? Here are some tips to help you.
One of the first steps to build trust and rapport with new volunteers is to be clear and consistent about your expectations, roles, and responsibilities. Provide them with a comprehensive orientation, training, and handbook that outline the mission, vision, and values of your organization, as well as the goals, tasks, and policies of the volunteer program. Communicate regularly and promptly with them, and give them feedback and recognition for their work. Avoid changing or cancelling plans without notice, and respect their time and commitments.
In our children's ministry, we had these goals: Love children, Teach the Bible, Build a team. These goals can be applied in any setting where volunteers are needed. People who volunteer want to be on your team and serve with you. Treat each one like solid gold.
Another way to build trust and rapport with new volunteers is to show interest and appreciation for who they are, what they do, and why they volunteer. Learn their names, backgrounds, skills, and interests, and use them to personalize your interactions and assignments. Express gratitude and praise for their contributions, and celebrate their achievements and milestones. Invite them to share their opinions, ideas, and suggestions, and listen attentively and respectfully. Acknowledge their challenges and difficulties, and offer support and solutions.
A little appreciation goes a long way, and inviting them into your planning and feedback process. This not only helps the volunteers feel ownership in the program or event, but also gives you valuable "on the ground" feedback from the people actually doing the work. Small tokens of appreciation do go a long way. Starting with a simple, verbal "thank you" while they are working, especially a 1-to-1 interaction. At events, we love giving away shirts. People will do a lot for a simple $8 t-shirt. Many times, the gesture is more important than the actual item, so don't overthink it, but acknowledgement and a simple gift can go a long way.
A third way to build trust and rapport with new volunteers is to create a sense of community among them and with your staff and clients. Introduce them to other volunteers, staff, and clients, and facilitate opportunities for socializing, networking, and collaboration. Encourage them to participate in team-building activities, events, and meetings, and foster a culture of mutual respect, trust, and cooperation. Highlight the impact and value of their work, and connect them to the larger vision and purpose of your organization.
A fourth way to build trust and rapport with new volunteers is to be flexible and adaptable to their needs, preferences, and circumstances. Recognize that volunteers have different levels of availability, commitment, and motivation, and accommodate them as much as possible. Offer them a variety of options for scheduling, location, duration, and type of work, and allow them to choose what suits them best. Be open to feedback and suggestions, and adjust your plans and strategies accordingly. Be responsive and supportive to any changes or issues that may arise.
We build rapport and trust with our volunteers by being very flexible and adaptive to the needs of our volunteers as well as with our student populations. We do this initially, by having our volunteers work with several different students as personalities and traits vary. Recently, this semester, we have begun allowing volunteers to work whatever and how many hours or days they want. Because they are volunteers, we seek to show how huge appreciation in a variety of ways.
A fifth way to build trust and rapport with new volunteers is to model trust and rapport yourself. Be honest, transparent, and accountable for your actions and decisions, and admit your mistakes and apologize when necessary. Demonstrate confidence, competence, and professionalism in your work, and uphold the standards and ethics of your organization. Be friendly, approachable, and respectful to everyone, and treat them as equals and partners. Share your passion, enthusiasm, and stories about your work, and inspire them to do the same.
Ways that I have found to build that foundation with Volunteers is to supply them with information of my organization first such as training or team building. Then I also provide them with other opportunities for specific trainings at meetings & conferences throughout the year. Getting them on board & excited makes everyone's job easier The other thing I have found with my Board, Volunteers & Students to build the best rapport is tell them I will never ask them to do something I am not willing to do or participate in myself. I will be out there with them. That shows them how important our organization is.