24 Feb 2016 How Professional Enrichment Opportunities Bring Quality Volunteers to Your Association
Are you aware of the key asset that your association and a Fortune 500 company have in common? It’s your volunteers. In the for-profit world, these “volunteers” are called “interns.” They contribute time, energy, and considerable skills without financial compensation. What they receive in lieu of a paycheck – knowledge, training, opportunity – is equally valuable to their future.
High quality “compensation” packages helps companies recruit and retain top talent. Volunteer reward programs can do the same for your association. When you take steps to help volunteers grow professionally, they feel appreciated and more deeply committed to the mission of your association. Plus, when you list “professional development” as one of the benefits of volunteering, your association becomes more attractive to prospective volunteers.
This is the very definition of a win-win situation.
Professional Development Rewards for Association Volunteers
As a fiscally responsible association board member, you have to consider any financial outlay with care, of course. The good news is that there are many ways you can foster professional development in your volunteers without a significant impact on your organization’s bottom line. The investment you make will be more time, than money. Here is a short list of activities you can undertake, ranging from the surprisingly simple to the somewhat more complex.
Ask, Listen, Act – In order for the professional development opportunities you offer to be meaningful, they must meet the needs of your volunteer team. The best way to learn about their current and future career goals is to ask them – one-on-one, in a survey, as part of a group discussion. Armed with knowledge, you can find flexible solutions that will help them develop the skills they need to succeed. Let’s say you discover that many of your volunteers would like to improve their presentation skills so that they can be more effective in their careers. The next time you have an event, ask one of the volunteers to serve as host…and then mentor him/her to be step into the role with confidence and skill…
Go on the Record with a Recommendation – Your status as a board member gives you clout and authority. Use it on behalf of your volunteers who may be new to the job market or experiencing a work transition. Let them know that you and other board members, as well as staff, are happy to write letters of recommendation in recognition of volunteer service. Social media sites like LinkedIn have become go-to resources for employers seeking to know more about prospective employees. Remind volunteers that they can link to you, as a board member, as well as to the organization. This is an outstanding way for volunteers to spotlight their dedication and community-mindedness.
Make Volunteers Aware of Educational Credit Opportunities – Whether your volunteers are currently earning their degrees or graduates, your association may be able to help them save money. Under-graduate students may be able to translate their service into college credits. Working professionals may be able to earn continuing education credits that will go towards advanced degrees. High schools, particularly those with career-based curriculum or religious affiliations, frequently mandate that students fulfill a certain number of volunteer hours in order to graduate. Your association may be able to help fill a need.
The benefits most people seek and derive from their volunteer service are intangible – satisfaction, pride, a sense of accomplishment. That doesn’t mean, however, that the volunteer experience at your association can’t be made even richer by incorporating tangible professional advancement as well.