Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Volunteers Important In Community

Many community organizations rely on volunteers to achieve success. Volunteers can share the work load of paid staff, voice constructive criticism, lobby on behalf of the organization, help in fund-raising and act as public relations agents. Good volunteers have a tremendous impact on youth and adult programs.

It is important to understand what motivates people to volunteer. If you are a recruiter you can address these desires in your recruitment campaign. It is important to consider what might stop someone from accepting your invitation to become a volunteer for your organization.

Here are some typical barriers to volunteers, according to Diane Jones, family consumer science specialist, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas:

Transportation is not available.

You need volunteer help at specific times and some people are not available then.

The work is repetitive, dull, physically difficult or taken for granted.

The problems you are addressing seem overwhelming.

They feel they are incompatible with the personalities of long-time volunteers already working in the program.

Stereotypical thinking that other volunteers are unlike the prospective volunteer.

Fear of failure or that the work will be too difficult.

As you think about addressing the concerns ask yourself a few questions. Is there flexibility in the assignment schedule? Can you assign volunteers in teams to minimize possible fears about personal safety? Can you reimburse out-of-pocket costs? Will you provide training?

By identifying the obstacles and addressing the potential volunteer's concerns you can turn resistance around. The most common reason given when a prospective volunteer says no is lack of time. Before you conclude that such people are uncaring or apathetic, consider that

 they may simply not be interested in the specific job you offered to them or in the client group you serve, or

 the timing of your request may be inconvenient.

On the other hand the phrase, "Sorry, I'm too busy," may be code for "What you just asked me to do has too little interest for me to make time in my life for it." As a recruiter you need to be sure which factor is at work. Try a follow-up question, such as, "Would you prefer me to call back in a month?" or "Is there another type of volunteer assignment that you would prefer to do?" If the person is willing you might negotiate a return call in the future.

Volunteers are essential to the survival of many organizations. Consideration of their needs may be the key to recruiting them.

For more information about human development contact the Clark County Extension office at 246-2281.