What do you do if you want to optimize volunteer recruitment using new technology?

1 Define your goals

Before you start looking for volunteers, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how volunteers can help you. What are the specific tasks and roles that you need volunteers to perform? What skills and qualifications do you require? How much time and commitment do you expect from them? How will you measure and evaluate their impact? Having a well-defined volunteer strategy will help you communicate your expectations, align your resources, and target your recruitment efforts.

2 Use online platforms

One of the most effective ways to reach potential volunteers is to use online platforms that connect people who want to volunteer with organizations that need them. There are many websites and apps that allow you to create and promote your volunteer opportunities, such as VolunteerMatch, Idealist, Catchafire, and DoSomething. You can also use social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, to showcase your work, share your stories, and invite people to join your cause. Online platforms can help you expand your reach, increase your visibility, and attract diverse and qualified volunteers.

3 Create a user-friendly website

Your website is often the first impression that potential volunteers have of your organization. You want to make sure that it is user-friendly, informative, and appealing. Your website should clearly explain your mission, vision, values, and goals, as well as the benefits and rewards of volunteering with you. It should also provide easy access to your volunteer opportunities, application forms, contact details, and testimonials. Your website should be mobile-responsive, fast-loading, and secure, as well as optimized for search engines and social media sharing.

4 Automate your processes

Another way to optimize your volunteer recruitment using new technology is to automate some of the tasks and processes that can be time-consuming and tedious. For example, you can use online tools and software to automate your volunteer registration, screening, orientation, scheduling, tracking, reporting, and feedback. Some examples of these tools are SignUpGenius, VolunteerHub, Asana, and SurveyMonkey. Automating your processes can help you save time, reduce errors, improve efficiency, and enhance your volunteer experience.

5 Engage your volunteers

Finally, you want to make sure that you engage your volunteers throughout their journey with your organization. You want to make them feel valued, appreciated, and motivated. You can use new technology to engage your volunteers in various ways, such as sending them personalized emails, newsletters, and messages, inviting them to online events and webinars, creating online communities and forums, offering online training and mentoring, and recognizing their achievements and contributions. Engaging your volunteers can help you build trust, loyalty, and retention.

6 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?