You can create a culture in your club that volunteering is enjoyable and a valuable opportunity. Did you know that the stats show people volunteer:
- To help others
- For personal satisfaction
- To do something worthwhile
- Fun
- Be with family and friends
- Social contact
- Meet new people
- To be active
- Gain work experience
- Learn new skills
These are all brilliantly positive aspects, so let’s create an attitude of enthusiasm, motivation and opportunity when talking about volunteering!
Here are 7 points that will help your club attract and retain an efficient crew of happy volunteers.
Appoint a Volunteer Coordinator
You have coaches that train your players, you have a president that organises the club, you have first aid officers responsible for injuries, so appoint a volunteer coordinator to look after all your volunteers. It makes sense doesn’t it!
Obtain Information from Members and/or Parents
Registration forms should include questions like:
- What is your occupation?
- Do you have a coaching or officiating qualification?
- Do you have a trade or specific qualification?
- Do you have experience in volunteering with other sporting clubs?
- What aspect of our sport or club administration would you be interested in learning more about?
- In what way would you be comfortable to assist the club?
If you are registering junior club members, include these questions for parents to complete.
Develop a Volunteer Register
Take all the information from your registration forms and summarise it in one document (an Excel spreadsheet is a good format) so it’s easy to scan and find people who would suit specific volunteer roles. Something like:
|
Name |
Phone |
|
Occupation |
Qualifications and Skills |
Interests |
Can Assist With |
|
Joe King |
0412345678 | jo@spadv.com.au | Electrician |
Electrician and L1 coach |
Umpiring, Fitness |
Small electrical jobs in the clubhouse and at team training on Thursdays |
| Mi Too | 47123456 | mt@mktaust.org | Marketing Manager |
Bachelor or Business, |
Promotions and sales |
Develop promotional flyers and |
Outline Position Descriptions
What roles need to be undertaken in the club and what do each of these incorporate? Make a list and develop a range of position descriptions so that people are aware of the skills and time required to volunteer. You wouldn’t apply for a job if you didn’t know what it incorporated would you?
Approach People to Volunteer
The volunteer coordinator now knows what specific positions need to be filled, what they incorporate and a database of who within the club may be able to assist. They can now approach people individually over a coffee, beer, before or after training, to have a chat about being involved in a volunteer role that suits their skills, interests and availability.
Up-skill Volunteers
There are plenty of grants programs available to accredit volunteers with coaching, officiating, first aid, administrative and management qualifications, so that individuals learn new skills without being out of pocket. Also look at training programs around strength and conditioning, marketing, grants writing and event management.
Reward Volunteers
A simple and sincere thank you goes a long way, however, you can take rewarding volunteers further through public recognition, a volunteer end of season party, providing gifts such as a club shirt or hat or nomination for Council awards. You can be imaginative and creative, but whatever you do, just don’t forget!
You can tap into more volunteer management insights by giving Luke a call.
