Volunteer Management And 10 Tips On How To Make A Great First Impression With New Volunteers

Volunteer management involves making a great first impression on potential volunteers as part of your volunteer recruitment plans.

THE FIRST FOUR MINUTES

In those vital first four minutes of meeting someone we actually gain a first impression that can last for a lifetime. So when a person has decided to join up, what are their first impressions of you and your organization? You only have one chance to make a great impression. So here is 10 quick tips on the power of a great first impression for new volunteers.

1. IN VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT

First impressions can make or break the volunteering experience. Make no mistake - the first few contact days are crucial for a new volunteer deciding whether to stay with you or stay away. Aspire to make your new volunteers immediately feel a sense of inclusiveness, connectedness and belonging. The sooner a volunteer feels like they belong, the longer they are retained and feel recognized.

2. AM I GOING TO WANT TO STAY HERE?

Can you still remember your first day at your first job? Most people can and still feel the same emotions when recalling it years after. When your new volunteers or members ask themselves two questions, Have I made the right decision in volunteering here? and Am I going to like it here? Ensure the answer is a resounding YES.

3. A WELCOME BEFORE THEY ARRIVE

Go further than the welcome when new recruits arrive - get in before they arrive. Call them before they start to check how they are and whether they have any queries. Remind them of how much you are looking forward to their coming on board soon. That should help with any last minute cold feet! But if you haven't got time to do that - then have a 'pre-start volunteer' who rings all newly starting volunteers.

4. WELCOME AND HERE'S A STANDING OVATION

You can make their first time totally memorable. Have you ever experienced the feeling of receiving a standing ovation? How truly memorable would it be if all your new volunteers were greeted on their first day on-site with a standing ovation from everyone else there? How powerful is that as a form of welcome and volunteer recognition?

5. SUCH A PRETTY PICTURE

How about putting a photo of the new star recruit in the reception area when they come in on their first day? Also, if you have a noticeboard that has a display showing pictures of your volunteers, then add the new recruits picture to the board and make sure to point it out to them.

6. SAY HELLO, I AM NEW HERE

Consider designing a special newcomer badge or shirt that every new volunteer wears for their first month. Let everyone else know so that they can all make a point of greeting anyone wearing the new recruits shirt or badge.

7. LOOK OUT I AM SUPER SENSITIVE

All new volunteers have a heightened sensitivity and awareness to how they are treated as they settle in. So do make sure to pay attention to the small details. Ensure they feel a sense of belonging by having a place to hang their coat, put their personal belongings, access the supplies they need and a comfortable workstation.

8. SPECIAL AND IMPORTANT IN VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

Make sure to follow the advice of Mary Kay Ash, the founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics. Visualize everyone is wearing a sign that says 'please make me feel important and special'. And don't think that using these ideas is going over the top. First impressions count and you want to make them memorable. So few other organizations ever do this and rarely really appreciate people from the very start. If you make people feel special and important from the start, they will stay with you much, much longer.

9. CONVERTING IDEAS FOR FARAWAY VOLUNTEERS

What if your volunteers never come on-site or are on-line volunteers? Take the ideas above and see how you can convert them to fit for these volunteers too. For your on-line volunteers there is the pre-start email, welcoming emails sent from other on-line volunteers and their picture on your website as the newest recruit - these are just some ways to adapt these ideas.

10. THIS WORKS FOR EVERYONE

But do not stop just with your volunteers. A powerful first impression will have a lasting effect on all new employees too. So adopt these ideas with paid staff too. You do only get one chance to make a wonderful first impression so make it count.

GREATER SUCCESS IN VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT AND RECRUITMENT

So use these 10 tips and you will always make a great first impression. This will ensure even greater volunteer recruitment success for you in volunteer management.

by: Judy Esmond

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