Process for Effective Recruitment of Volunteers

On an annual and then quarterly basis, recruitment involves:  1) reviewing the volunteer needs identified in the workplan and any new needs that have been identified; 2) identifying the most likely sources of suitable candidates for volunteer positions, 2) determining how to approach those sources, 3) approaching each source, and 4)marketing volunteer positions to those sources.  Sources/targets of marketing include the following: liaisons with clients, recommendations from clients, advertisements in the newspaper, online (or virtual) sources, word-of-mouth of existing volunteers, personal coaches and college placement advisors (volunteer opportunities for filling in missing or weak skills), volunteer fairs (events in which many organizations that need volunteers attend to recruit volunteers), to name a few.  Candidates who are interested in certain positions often complete an application form and a resume.