Visit this page for ideas, suggestions and hints to build volunteer recruitment capacity.

~ August 2006 ~ Topics

The Web Log (Blog) is a part of youth culture, both high school and college. Blogs are a way to meet new people, catch up with friends, organize around issues, and causes. MySpace is likely the best know, but there are many others.

Blogging is not limited to youth, but is a way of reaching out to young people. Ask yourself these questions:

1. How smart am I about blogging?
   
2. Could we create a blog for our current volunteers to network (who monitors it is a questions to ask)
   
3. Are we asking our volunteers to talk about our program in their blog space?
   
4. What limits would our organization place around a blog site for volunteers?

There are not simple answers to any of those questions, but finding volunteers can be made easier when you use all the resources available. Newspaper ads for volunteers are fine, but do you know what age demographic reads the newspaper in your area. The younger the volunteer the more electronic their world.

Blogs can be an effective means of publicizing your program and its volunteers. Here are some tips on how to do that effectively.

Never stretch the truth. Be honest in all the things you post. If tasks are difficult and time consuming, say so. If you put up things that are not true, someone is sure to spot it and correct you online. Your errors are there for everyone to see.

A blog is not formal. Blogs are works in progress. Imagine one with weekly postings telling stories about how volunteers are working and accomplishing the mission of the organization. (Be careful about confidentiality issues). So, the spit and polish of a brochure or flyer is not required.

Title the blog. If this is a marketing tool, people can only find you through search engines and keys words and phrases are critical as locators.

Let your personality show. Be enthusiastic. Share your emotions. Even a healthy dose of opinion is welcome. This is not a newspaper, but something far more personal. Let the volunteers pen entries to keep it lively.

By 2028 the number of people over the age of 50 living in the English countryside will increase by 47%. A study by Lowe and Ward of the Newcastle Centre for Rural Economy goes on to predict that the number of rural residents over age 85 will triple.

While some worry about the strain on meager rural resources, others point out that those over 50 are increasingly living active lives, contributing to their communities, according to the report. It is also suggested by the report that this movement to the countryside is an opportunity to recruit people to serve elderly populations and develop programs specifically for them.

The Points of Light Foundation has forms available to nominate volunteers and volunteer organizations for the Daily Points of Light Award. It is designed recognize individuals and groups that demonstrate unique and innovative approaches to community volunteering and citizen action, with a strong emphasis on service focused on the goals for children and young people set by the Presidents Summit for American's Future. The award is given five days a week, excluding holidays. If you would like nomination forms, call 202-729-8000.

By calling 1-800-VOLUNTEER in the U.S., individuals can be connected to their local volunteer center. This is a national interactive call routing system designed to get volunteers connected to people who can help them volunteer.

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