| Volunteer management is about making a wonderful | | | | day? Also, if you have a noticeboard that has a |
| first impression on your new volunteers as an integral | | | | display showing pictures of your volunteers, then add |
| part of your volunteer recruitment plan. | | | | the new recruits picture to the board and make sure |
| The First Four Minutes | | | | to point it out to them. |
| In those vital first four minutes of meeting someone | | | | 6. Hello To You And Welcome |
| we actually gain a first impression that can last for a | | | | Consider designing a special newcomer badge or shirt |
| lifetime. So when a person has decided to join up, | | | | that every new volunteer wears for their first month. |
| what are their first impressions of you and your | | | | Let everyone else know so that they can all make a |
| organization? You only have one chance to make a | | | | point of greeting anyone wearing the new recruits |
| great impression. So here is 10 quick tips on the | | | | shirt or badge. |
| power of a great first impression for new volunteers. | | | | 7. I Am Hyper-Sensitive Right Now |
| 1. The Importance Of First Impressions | | | | New volunteers have a heightened sensitivity as they |
| First impressions can make or break the volunteering | | | | settle in, especially in relation to how they are |
| experience. Make no mistake - the first few contact | | | | treated. So pay attention to the small details. Ensure |
| days are crucial for a new volunteer deciding whether | | | | that sense of belonging by providing a place to hang |
| to stay with you or stay away. Aspire to make your | | | | their coat, somewhere to keep their personal |
| new volunteers immediately feel a sense of | | | | belongings safe, access to supplies, a workstation |
| inclusiveness, connectedness and belonging. The | | | | and a place to go and relax. |
| sooner a volunteer feels like they belong, the longer | | | | 8. Volunteer Management And Making Me Feel Special |
| they are retained and feel recognized. | | | | Make sure to follow the advice of Mary Kay Ash, the |
| 2. Am I Going To Want To Stay Here? | | | | founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics. Visualize everyone is |
| Can you still remember your first day at your first | | | | wearing a sign that says 'please make me feel |
| job? Most people can and still feel the same emotions | | | | important and special'. And don't think that using |
| when recalling it years after. When your new | | | | these ideas is going over the top. First impressions |
| volunteers or members ask themselves two | | | | count and you want to make them memorable. So |
| questions, Have I made the right decision in | | | | few other organizations ever do this and rarely really |
| volunteering here? and Am I going to like it here? | | | | appreciate people from the very start. If you make |
| Ensure the answer is a resounding YES. | | | | people feel special and important from the start, they |
| 3. We Are Looking Forward To You Joining Us | | | | will stay with you much, much longer. |
| Go further than the welcome when new recruits | | | | 9. Converting Ideas For Faraway Volunteers |
| arrive - get in before they arrive. Call them before | | | | But what if your volunteers are internet based or |
| they start to check how they are and whether they | | | | off-site? You can still take the tips above and |
| have any queries. Remind them of how much you | | | | convert them to fit for this group too. For instance, |
| are looking forward to their coming on board soon. | | | | for your internet based or on-line volunteers you can |
| That should help with any last minute cold feet! But if | | | | send a pre-start email, a welcome card or email and |
| you haven't got time to do that - then have a | | | | pt their picture on the website as the newest recruit. |
| 'pre-start volunteer' who rings all newly starting | | | | Just start using your imagination to adapt these ideas |
| volunteers. | | | | and welcome them aboard. |
| 4. Welcome And Here's A Standing Ovation | | | | 10. Everyone Will Benefit |
| Make their first time totally memorable for all the | | | | But do not stop just with your volunteers. A |
| right reasons. Have you ever experienced the feeling | | | | powerful first impression will have a lasting effect on |
| of receiving a standing ovation? How memorable | | | | all new employees too. So adopt these ideas with |
| would it be for your new volunteers on their first | | | | paid staff too. You do only get one chance to make |
| day on-site to be greeted not just with a nod and a | | | | a wonderful first impression so make it count. |
| smile, but with a thunderous standing ovation from | | | | Greater Success In Volunteer Management And |
| their new colleagues? How is this for volunteer | | | | Recruitment |
| recognition> | | | | So use these 10 tips and you will always make a |
| 5. Such A Pretty Picture | | | | great first impression. This will ensure even greater |
| How about putting a photo of the new star recruit in | | | | volunteer recruitment success for you in volunteer |
| the reception area when they come in on their first | | | | management. |