Recruitment

Why do people volunteer?  

What is the most exciting proposition that you can offer a volunteer? 

The obvious answer is the chance to make a difference, both in their own lives and in the lives of others. Some other answers include:  

• A chance to expand their professional network  
• Leadership experience  
• The opportunity for recognition  
• Growing their personal brand  

Ask your past and existing volunteers to find out why they volunteered and what they gained from their experience with your organization. You can even use those surveys to create volunteer testimonials for further social proof.  

In addition to highlighting what potential volunteers will gain for volunteering, your messaging should also tell them how much time and effort you expect from them, what they can expect to do as a volunteer, and the desired impact from their efforts and your project overall.  

Not all prospective volunteers are comfortable with the long working hours that working for a charity or any other type of nonprofit implies. Making everything clear in your communications before they sign the dotted line will help you avoid future complications.   

Once you have your message, customize it for the various volunteer recruitment channels you plan to send it through.  

Here’s a quick rundown of the volunteer recruitment methods we suggest:  

• Emails  
• Volunteer recruitment events  
• Texting  
• Social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok)  
• Digital Ads   
• Flyers and posters   
• Leveraging your chapter members, community, and campus  
• Word of mouth  
• Chapter involvement in campus events  

Your SVA chapter should want to recruit not only student veterans but also family members, allies, and anyone that would like to learn more about the veteran space. 

Volunteers won’t sign up? 5 things Nonprofits or Service Clubs must do – YouTube