magnets attract
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Magnets attract](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022100605/559b1fb71a28abc9738b4642/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Magnets Attract
How does a volunteer programme attract?
![Page 2: Magnets attract](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022100605/559b1fb71a28abc9738b4642/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
In this session…
• We’ll look at– The old and new breed of volunteer– What these people want from volunteering in– How you might respond– What this means for attracting new volunteers
![Page 3: Magnets attract](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022100605/559b1fb71a28abc9738b4642/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Exercise #1 – old and new volunteers
• In small groups– Take a sheet of flipchart paper– Group A’s draw image to sum up traditional
volunteers– Group B’s draw image to sum up 21st century
volunteers– Do not use any words, just images
– Share your results with the group
![Page 4: Magnets attract](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022100605/559b1fb71a28abc9738b4642/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Volunteers – old and new breed
• Old breed– Reliable– Committed– Duty/service driven– Loyal– Don’t like change
• New breed– Flexible– Lead complex and busy
lives– Want two-way relationships– Multiple interests and roles– Accept change and a
variety of choice– Tech savvy
![Page 5: Magnets attract](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022100605/559b1fb71a28abc9738b4642/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Bridging the gap
• What people are looking for in volunteering
• How organisations are engaging volunteers
• Actions to ‘bridge the gap’
Source: Bridging The Gap (2011)
![Page 6: Magnets attract](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022100605/559b1fb71a28abc9738b4642/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Gaps
• People want group activities but there are few on offer
• People come with skills but don’t always want to use them
• We have clearly defined roles but volunteers want to shape their own roles
• We want long-term volunteers but people want shorter term, flexible ways to engage
• We focus on our needs but volunteers have their own goals
Source: Bridging The Gap (2011)
![Page 7: Magnets attract](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022100605/559b1fb71a28abc9738b4642/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Why these gaps?
• Motivations, availabilities and interests change during our lives
• Volunteering is a two-way relationship• Skills transfer and development is
important
• Time is our most valuable resource
Source: Bridging The Gap (2011)
![Page 8: Magnets attract](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022100605/559b1fb71a28abc9738b4642/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
How can we respond?
• Optimal formula to build organisational capacity and strategically engage volunteers– Design specific, set roles and be open to volunteers
determining the scope of what they can offer.– Match skills to the needs of the organisation but don’t
assume that everyone wants to use the skills related to their profession, trade, or education.
– Be well organised but not too bureaucratic.
Source: Bridging The Gap (2011)
![Page 9: Magnets attract](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022100605/559b1fb71a28abc9738b4642/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
What does this mean for us?
• Re-think how we involve people to achieve our mission
• Focus more on what needs doing than on how and when it is done
• Be flexible and provide greater choice• Provide opportunities for online engagement• Build meaningful relationships with volunteers
• Invest in support for volunteering
Source: Bridging The Gap (2011)
![Page 10: Magnets attract](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022100605/559b1fb71a28abc9738b4642/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Exercise #2 – how can you respond?
• On your own– What one thing can you change tomorrow to
make your organisation more magnetic?
– What is the biggest challenge you face in becoming more magnetic? Why?
• In small groups– Discuss the answers to these questions and
share ideas.
![Page 11: Magnets attract](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022100605/559b1fb71a28abc9738b4642/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
What does this mean for attracting new volunteers?
• We need to understand our audience much better
• We need to reach out to them more effectively
• We might need a different management/leadership balance
• We need to avoid doing the things that repel people from our programmes…