Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1273037
38 | SUMMER 2020 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT WHY Before scouring the country for new volunteers, figure out why you need them in the first place. This will focus you on the "job description" and where might be the best place to look for them. Some reasons could include: • To give your club the power to do more work. • To reduce the burden on existing volunteers. • To give your club a larger, more diverse membership. WHEN YOU KNOW YOUR WHY, THE NEXT QUESTIONS ARE: 1. How many volunteers your club needs? 2. What you want them to do? 3. How long they will be needed for. HERE ARE SIMPLE THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS: JUST ASK Statistics show that 41% of people are more prepared to volunteer if they are directly asked. Think of it as a form of flattery. If you are told that you will make a worthwhile impact in a position you are much more likely to consider it than if you saw a generic message. BE SPECIFIC It is important for you to narrow down the roles that need extra hands. Who do you need to carry out these jobs? How long will you need them for? What will be expected of them? By understanding these key things you will know who you need to attract and therefore who you need to target. When you set about getting the message out there, define the training and support available with the role. Anyone Can VolunteeR Just Ask! PROMOTE YOUR CLUB AND THE VALUE OF VOLUNTEERING TO A PERSON'S LIFETYLE. Recruiting new volunteers isn't just a case of putting the name of your organisation out there. It is about selling a lifestyle. You face stiff competition from a lot of other time- consuming activities and hobbies, never mind the direct competition from other organisations. GO PUBLIC It's great to have a PR-savvy person to get word out to the local press, radio stations and online. A simple 'we need volunteers' won't be a strong enough angle for them to feature your story so if you have something newsworthy to talk about, mention at the end the fact that you are looking for new volunteers. HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL If you are hoping to add more professional skills to your club, then contact relevant courses at your local schools, universities and techs. It is likely that students will want to add to their CVs with experience while they are still studying so it could be a win- win scenario for both parties. Remember, every club is different, so it is important to find the approach that works for you. It's also vital that you have the proper structures in place before recruitment of volunteers takes place. For more information on this and to check out the LGFA Volunteer Recruitment and Retention checklist and toolbox, visit ladiesgaelic.ie/learn/volunteer-recruitment/volunteer-recruitment-retention-toolbox