E2 Garrow

Strategies and Models for Engaging Volunteers: 

Strategies and Models for Engaging Volunteers Tom Garrow President The Garrow Company

Overview: 

Overview Definitions What is our business? Needs and Benefits Exchange Examples of some standard volunteer models Inviting involvement Creating a person-specific volunteer development plan. Staying realistic Qandamp;A

Definitions: 

Definitions Strategy '...a careful plan or method : a clever stratagem ...the art of devising or employing plans or stratagems toward a goal.' Model '...someone or something set before one for guidance or imitation.' Source: Miriam-Webster Online Dictionary

What is our business?: 

What is our business? What do we do? Teaching, Research, Community Service Provide Status, Information, 'Love', Who is our customer? Alums, Corporate Executives, Friends What does our customer consider value? i.e. why do people volunteer?

Needs and Benefits Exchange: 

Needs and Benefits Exchange ... a form of social behavior (invoking the behavior of another human being) where that behavior is, '... an exchange of activity, tangible or intangible, and more or less rewarding or costly, between at least two persons.' (Homans, 1961, p 13).

One Version of Social Exchange... Resource Theory (Foa & Foa, 1974): 

One Version of Social Exchange... Resource Theory (Foa andamp; Foa, 1974) Resources Love An expression of affectionate regard, warmth, or comfort; Status An expression of evaluative judgment which conveys high or low prestige, regard or esteem; Information Includes advice, opinions, instruction, or enlightenment, but excludes those behaviors which could be classed as love or status; Money Any coin, currency or token which has some standard unit of exchange value; Goods Tangible products, objects or materials; Services Involve activities on the body or belongings of a person which often constitute labor for another.

Exercise One:The Exchange of Resources...For a prospective volunteer: 

Exercise One: The Exchange of Resources... For a prospective volunteer Your Resources Prospective Volunteer’s Needs Prospective Volunteer’s Resources Your Needs

An Equitable Exchange: 

An Equitable Exchange '...it is of monumental importance that the volunteer relationship is reflective of an equitable exchange in order to obtain continued volunteerism. By employing Social Exchange Theory (SET) one can take a closer look at the cost and reward analysis considered by those who contemplate or participate as volunteers and possibly further aid to identify the motives behind the rewards sought.' Corrigan, Michael W. (2001) Social Exchange Theory, Interpersonal Communication Motives, And Volunteerism: Identifying Motivation to Volunteer and The Rewards and Costs Associated. p9.

Various Models: 

Various Models Alumni Fund Volunteer Alumni Association Volunteer (non-fundraising) Reunion Committee Volunteer Board of Councilors, Dean’s Advisory Committee, Department Advisory Group... What others???

Designing the Volunteer Experience: 

Designing the Volunteer Experience Volunteering is an experience. We are in charge of designing that experience. If we are good at finding out what is important to our target audience, we have a decent chance at designing a good experience. Satisfied volunteers repeat their behavior.

Creating a Volunteer Model: 

Creating a Volunteer Model Who are the people you want to involve? Why do you want to involve these people? (your needs) What do these people care about? (their needs) What is your value proposition? How do you measure that you are really getting what you want in the exchange? What are the systems you need to support this model? How do you create a strategic advantage?

Creating a “Large Numbers” Volunteer Plan: 

Creating a 'Large Numbers' Volunteer Plan Identify the needs/interests of the target population. Determine how to create 'success' in the task(s) you’d like the volunteer to perform (a part of the value proposition). Determine the causal activities that lead to engagement, performance, reward, repeat engagement. Develop a 'pipeline' with yield expectations at each stage.

Creating a person-specific volunteer plan: 

Creating a person-specific volunteer plan Who are the people you really want to include as volunteers? Why? For any purpose, select among top 5% of population. From the perspective of the target audience, what do they value? Create a 10-year plan for that person’s volunteer involvement and growth. Execute, evaluate, revise...Are you getting your target ROI?

A Process Mapor Flow Model: 

A Process Map or Flow Model 400 Vols. Beginning Pool Remaining in Pool Action Yield? Yield? Action Remaining in Pool Yield? Yield?

Exercise Two:Create a Flow Model : 

Exercise Two: Create a Flow Model Option One Create a flow model that shows the causal steps to recruit and retain people to your Annual Fund volunteer program. Option Two: Create a flow model that shows the causal steps to recruit and retain people to your Dean’s Advisory Board (30 members). Option Three: Create a flow model that shows the cause steps in recruiting and retained 400 volunteers for whatever purposes you’d like!

Summary and Q&A: 

Summary and Qandamp;A Know why you want volunteers Know what people whom you want to be volunteers want/value/need. Segment, then create a system that explicitly links what each segment values to what you want. Create, manage and measure the exchange process. Be prepared to persist! Questions...