In last weeks blog post I shared the five things every fundraiser must keep in mind when starting their fundraisers.
- Successful Fundraisers Communicate Clear Goals
- Successful Fundraisers Treat Volunteers Like Gold
- Successful Fundraisers Build on Past Support
- Successful Fundraisers Don’t Overbook Their Support Base
- Successful Fundraisers Remember to Have Fun
In this first article I elaborated on the first point: Successful Fundraisers Communicate Clear Goals
In this article I’ll elaborate on the second point: How to Treat Volunteers Like Gold.
Happy and valued volunteers are necessary for a successful fundraiser. They will deliver better results and be more inclined to return. The key is to show them how much they are valued from the start and remind them regularly.
Here’s a check list to help you build a team of effective volunteers:
- Treat them with respect. Don’t waste their time. Don’t hold unnecessary meetings. Start and end meetings on time. Work through agendas quickly.
- Make sure meetings have a social element with refreshments and time for visiting so that your volunteers’ needs are being met at the same time they are helping you reach your fundraising goals.
- Respect the skills your volunteers bring to the table. Don’t assume that volunteers are there to do your bidding. In all likelihood, your volunteers had some vision for how they might be able to contribute when they signed on.
- Listening is one way to show your volunteers that they are valued members of the team.
- Communicate the known tasks and ask each volunteer how they see themselves fitting in. A personal conversation along this line with each volunteer early in the fundraising process will be time well spent.
- Allow each volunteer to embrace his or her role and know how others are contributing. This will help build a team, and you might uncover new skills and interests which could make a huge difference to your fundraising project.
- Be mindful of the reasons people volunteer. Most of your volunteers will have some interest in your cause, but many people volunteer to get to know people in the neighborhood or to feel a part of a worthwhile project.
- Say thank you again and again. Say it in person, in writing and recognize contributions in public.
- Congratulate them on reaching a goal midway.
- When the fundraiser is over, make sure they know that you couldn’t have done it without them.
What do you think? Do you have any suggestions for how to treat volunteers like gold?
In our next blog article we’ll address; How to Build on Past Support
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