What are some effective strategies to retain and motivate volunteers in the long term?

由人工智能和领英社区提供技术支持

Volunteering for a non-profit organization can be a rewarding and meaningful way to contribute to a cause you care about. However, it can also be challenging to keep volunteers engaged and motivated in the long term, especially when they face competing demands, limited resources, or burnout. How can you retain and inspire your volunteers to continue their service and make a positive impact? Here are some effective strategies to consider.

在这篇协作文章中查找专家回答

由社区从 1 条内容中精选。了解更多

1 Recognize and appreciate

One of the most important factors that influence volunteer retention and motivation is recognition and appreciation. Volunteers want to feel valued and acknowledged for their efforts and achievements. You can show your gratitude in various ways, such as sending thank-you notes, giving certificates or awards, hosting appreciation events, or highlighting success stories. Make sure to tailor your recognition to the preferences and personalities of your volunteers, and to express it frequently and sincerely.

添加您的观点

2 Provide feedback and support

Another way to retain and motivate volunteers is to provide them with regular feedback and support. Feedback helps volunteers to know how they are doing, what they are learning, and how they are making a difference. Support helps volunteers to overcome challenges, access resources, and develop skills. You can provide feedback and support through formal and informal channels, such as surveys, evaluations, meetings, coaching, mentoring, or peer networks. Make sure to listen to your volunteers' needs, concerns, and suggestions, and to respond with empathy and action.

添加您的观点

3 Offer opportunities and incentives

A third strategy to retain and motivate volunteers is to offer them opportunities and incentives that align with their interests, goals, and values. Opportunities can include training, education, networking, leadership, or career development. Incentives can include discounts, vouchers, memberships, or referrals. You can offer opportunities and incentives as part of your volunteer program, or partner with other organizations, institutions, or businesses that can provide them. Make sure to communicate and promote these benefits to your volunteers, and to match them with their preferences and aspirations.

添加您的观点

4 Create a sense of community

A fourth strategy to retain and motivate volunteers is to create a sense of community among them. Community helps volunteers to feel connected, engaged, and supported by others who share their passion and vision. You can create a sense of community by fostering a positive and inclusive culture, organizing social and fun activities, facilitating communication and collaboration, or encouraging peer recognition and feedback. Make sure to involve your volunteers in shaping and maintaining the community, and to celebrate its achievements and milestones.

添加您的观点

5 Align with the mission and vision

A fifth strategy to retain and motivate volunteers is to align their work with the mission and vision of your organization. Mission and vision help volunteers to understand the purpose and impact of their service, and to feel inspired and committed to the cause. You can align your volunteers' work with the mission and vision by communicating them clearly and consistently, involving them in planning and decision-making, showing them the outcomes and results of their work, or inviting them to share their stories and testimonials. Make sure to reinforce the mission and vision throughout your volunteer program, and to acknowledge your volunteers' contributions to them.

添加您的观点

Lexi Bollis, CDP

Building a More Resilient & Equitable Tulsa
举报内容
Volunteers are initially drawn to a nonprofit because of its mission and vision. So, the most intuitive long-term strategy to retain and motivate volunteers is to continually keep them grounded in that mission and vision. When creating volunteer activities, ensure that the description or orientation includes a section on mission and vision alignment. Volunteers will be more motivated to engage in the activity if they understand why it's impactful. This technique ensures that volunteers understand why and how they are making an impact in the community, keeping them inspired to return over weeks, months, and even years.

已翻译

赞

6 Adapt and innovate

A sixth strategy to retain and motivate volunteers is to adapt and innovate your volunteer program to meet the changing needs, expectations, and trends of your volunteers and your organization. Adaptation and innovation help volunteers to feel challenged, stimulated, and valued by your organization, and to see new opportunities and possibilities for their service. You can adapt and innovate your volunteer program by soliciting and implementing feedback, experimenting with new ideas or approaches, embracing technology and digital tools, or collaborating with other organizations or sectors. Make sure to involve your volunteers in the adaptation and innovation process, and to evaluate and learn from the outcomes.

添加您的观点

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

添加您的观点

Non-profit Volunteering

+ 关注

给文章评分

我们借助人工智能创建了此文章。您认为这篇文章怎么样？

很棒不太好

举报此文章

查看全部

What are some effective strategies to retain and motivate volunteers in the long term?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Recognize and appreciate

2 Provide feedback and support

3 Offer opportunities and incentives

4 Create a sense of community

5 Align with the mission and vision

6 Adapt and innovate

7 Here’s what else to consider

Non-profit Volunteering

给文章评分

感谢您的反馈

更多Non-profit Volunteering相关文章

更多相关阅读内容