How can you increase volunteer retention through ownership and investment in your program?

Volunteer retention is a crucial aspect of running a successful and sustainable volunteer program. It not only saves you time and resources, but also builds a loyal and engaged community of supporters who can help you achieve your mission. However, retaining volunteers can be challenging, especially in a competitive and dynamic environment. How can you increase volunteer retention through ownership and investment in your program? Here are some tips to help you foster a sense of belonging and commitment among your volunteers.

1 Share your vision

One of the first steps to increase volunteer retention is to share your vision and goals with your volunteers. Make sure they understand why your program exists, what impact it has, and how their role contributes to it. Communicate your vision clearly and frequently, and invite feedback and input from your volunteers. By sharing your vision, you can inspire your volunteers to align their values and passions with your program, and motivate them to stay involved.

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Craig Yoshihara

Pastor at EVUMC / Social Media Influencer at Disney Nerds
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Don’t do this just once. I’ve found that even when I feel I’ve done this a hundred times there is always someone who claims not to know! When others can voice your vision for you succinctly and repetitively you know you’re halfway there.

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2 Provide training and support

Another way to increase volunteer retention is to provide adequate training and support for your volunteers. Training helps your volunteers develop the skills and knowledge they need to perform their tasks effectively and confidently. Support means providing guidance, feedback, recognition, and resources for your volunteers to overcome challenges and grow. By providing training and support, you can show your volunteers that you care about their success and satisfaction, and that you value their contributions.

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3 Offer flexibility and variety

A third way to increase volunteer retention is to offer flexibility and variety in your volunteer opportunities. Flexibility means allowing your volunteers to choose when, where, and how they want to volunteer, according to their availability, preferences, and needs. Variety means offering different types of tasks, projects, and roles for your volunteers to explore, according to their interests, skills, and goals. By offering flexibility and variety, you can accommodate your volunteers' diverse and changing needs, and keep them engaged and challenged.

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Craig Yoshihara

Pastor at EVUMC / Social Media Influencer at Disney Nerds
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In our church we follow up every year with volunteers to see if they still want to do what they’re doing. But our is real and keeping people in the same positions too long not only discourages others from participating but also dangerously keeps all the knowledge in the hands of a few. When they leave your stuck trying to figure out all they did. Pass on the knowledge and rotate people through

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Katherine Simons

Volunteer Leader and Trainer at RUMC Job Networking, Roswell, GA
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Totally agree! So important to constantly ask what volunteers see happening. Next, training back-up leadership to learn what we’ve learned and more.

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4 Create a community

A fourth way to increase volunteer retention is to create a community among your volunteers. Community means fostering a sense of connection, belonging, and trust among your volunteers, as well as with your staff and beneficiaries. Community can be created through regular communication, feedback, recognition, social events, and team-building activities. By creating a community, you can enhance your volunteers' well-being, satisfaction, and loyalty, and encourage them to support each other and your program.

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5 Empower your volunteers

A fifth way to increase volunteer retention is to empower your volunteers to take ownership and invest in your program. Empowerment means giving your volunteers autonomy, responsibility, and authority to make decisions, initiate actions, and lead projects. Empowerment also means involving your volunteers in planning, evaluation, and improvement of your program, and soliciting their ideas, opinions, and suggestions. By empowering your volunteers, you can boost their confidence, creativity, and commitment, and make them feel valued and respected.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Amy A.

Recruiting, Career Counseling and Non-Profit Experience.
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Call them back when they email or fill out a contact form ! I volunteered in a Salvation Army store in Fort Walton beach, Fl and they were so appreciative. I moved to Atl and most of the places that I contacted did not respond (Salvation Army) or a generic not interested email ( Carter Center, Bagel pick up, Local food pantry). I volunteer at the Thrift store for St Vincent because they want volunteers, train you well, allow you to work in your favorite area and say thank you.

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How can you increase volunteer retention through ownership and investment in your program?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Share your vision

2 Provide training and support

3 Offer flexibility and variety

4 Create a community

5 Empower your volunteers

6 Here’s what else to consider

Volunteer Management

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How can you increase volunteer retention through ownership and investment in your program?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Share your vision

2 Provide training and support

3 Offer flexibility and variety

4 Create a community

5 Empower your volunteers

6 Here’s what else to consider

Volunteer Management

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