In 2016, the National Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated a volunteer’s time worth $24.14 per hour, saving American nonprofit organizations billions of dollars yearly. These workers offer essential help: stuffing envelopes, handling phone lines and organizing fundraising campaigns. These extra hands improve productivity and reduce budget costs. Business owners, therefore, should prioritize volunteer retention, focusing on providing nonprofit insurance and fostering long-term relationships.
The Importance of Getting Volunteers To Return
Volunteers accomplish work, but they do not all lend the same results. Newer recruits tend to knock out menial assignments, but they lack the knowledge and skillset to accomplish significant work. Returning volunteers deliver better quality and care, understanding meticulous elements of the business. They lend continued support and develop less worksite frustration.
Rookies, for instance, possess motivation and passion, but they also demand increased attention and clarification. Each time new faces emerge, managers must stop and explain procedures, tasks and expectations. Furthermore, because newbies lack expertise, these novices make more errors and incur more liability. While nonprofit insurance assists with these scenarios, the organization benefits from fewer issues with insurance and legal concerns when they have seasoned volunteers on the job.
Veteran volunteers offer business owners various positive elements. They accomplish the following:
Adhere to routine office procedures, minimizing safety issues
Run operating systems efficiently and flawlessly, reducing explanation time
Tackle long-term projects that demand increased effort and concentration
Embrace the nonprofit’s efforts so that they promote the cause with friends and family
Grow with the group, accepting higher-level projects and roles
The Value of Growing Your Relationships With Volunteers
Unfortunately, gaining a reliable volunteer crew proves challenging. Research indicates that many people choose not to come back to an organization; instead, they appear to fall into the one-and-done volunteer approach.
Some helpers stay home because they have busy lives and are unable to find regular openings in their schedules. Many others cite concerns with the group’s inability to connect. Ultimately, people don’t return because they do not have a reason or desire to do so. The lack of intrinsic value or appreciation harms the nonprofit overall, limiting available assistance. To change this pattern, nonprofit leaders must address volunteers personally, fostering strong relationships. Then, a growing workforce becomes sustainable and reliable.
The Best Practices for How To Build Relationships With Volunteers
How do you get people to stick around for the long haul? They need to connect to your group’s effort, understand their participation matters and feel acknowledged for their work. Engage them, excite them and prioritize with the following practices:
Allow volunteers to understand how their participation’s significance helps the larger goal.
Establish a positive atmosphere where volunteers feel part of the nonprofit team.
Assign a job that fits the person’s comfort, strengths and abilities.
Promote a comfortable environment, complete with safety measures and nonprofit insurance.
Involve volunteers, asking them questions and gaining feedback on their efforts.
Reward them with launch parties, organizational wearables or small thank you treats.
Connecting more with your volunteers can reap immeasurable rewards.
About Brooks, Todd & McNeil
Since 1839, the independent agents at Brooks, Todd & McNeil have been pleased to offer our community the best and most affordable policies from a variety of providers. Our dedicated facilitators are ready to put their 75 years of combined experience to work on your claims. To learn more about our products and services, contact us today at (800) 448-4567.