by Kathleen Richardson

Created on: May 07, 2008   Last Updated: November 11, 2009

Even in the most economically sound times, monies raised through grants and donations are not enough to cover wages for an adequate number of employees to operate non-profit agencies. That means volunteers are vital to to the success and longevity of non-profits.

Volunteers come of their own free will. They are eager. They offer maturity, freshness, experience, youth, skills and imagination. Yet fewer people are volunteering than ever before, meaning primary focus needs to be on retaining current volunteers with secondary focus on recruiting new.

Although most volunteers insist they need neither recognition nor reward, both play a part in attracting new volunteers and retaining existing ones. In addition to tried-and-true methods of retaining volunteers, these ten innovative retention methods are sure to induce volunteers to stay for a long, long time.

1. Ask a staff member to lead a short workshop, teaching volunteers about their specialty in the agency. Invite a volunteer to attend an out-of-office training with staff. Both options add to the volunteer's understanding of the agency's work and to the volunteer's value within that agency. Additionally, a volunteer could be invited to a staff meeting.

2. Community members will often teach their specialty free to volunteers. Or a small portion of the volunteer budget can be designated for this purpose. Personal development workshops could include presentations by a yoga instructor, a chef, a financial adviser, a life coach, or a self-defense instructor.

3. Some volunteers stay for years; others for months. Unless you have an unlimited budget, it's more cost effective to provide simple, disposable name badges. If your agency presents volunteers with award pins for large numbers of hours, consider also presenting a permanent name badge with their first award pin. Have a small hole drilled in the badge for the award pin. Each time they receive a new pin, they replace the old one in the badge. This way they can proudly display those pins that usually get tucked away at home - every time they volunteer.

4. Who knows better than the volunteers themselves what they would enjoy at a volunteer recognition event. Survey volunteers for their ideas and ask some to serve on a committee. They'll love being included and consulted.

5. Survey volunteers asking what recognition or reward they prefer, nine out of ten will say: a personal, verbal thank you from staff members. Not just the words Thank you, but also the why of

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