SNL – Business Meeting

SNL – Business Meeting 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 1

Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset: The Recruitment, Retention and Development of Volunteers 2007 ADRP Conference Baltimore, Maryland May 4, 2007

JaLae Wilson-Thompson Regional Volunteer Supervisor American Red Cross Lewis and Clark Blood Services Region Salt Lake City, Utah 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 3

Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset Objectives • Identify external trends that impact volunteer recruitment and retention • List significant causes of volunteer turnover • List specific strategies to retain high performing volunteers 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 4

Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset Individual Activity (2 minutes) List your most significant barriers to recruiting and retaining volunteer staff. List up to a total of four (4). 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 5

2 Minutes Remaining 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 6

1 Minute Remaining 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 7

Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset Let’s Get Started… 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 8

Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 9

Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset Right Person...Right Time...Right Job! 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 10

Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset External Trends Impacting Volunteer Recruitment and Retention • Generational issues & motivations • Volunteer trends 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 11

Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset Generational Issues • Before 1922 – community oriented • 1922 -1943 – stability and security oriented • 1945 – 1963 – baby-boom generation tends to be “change” oriented; want respect and success 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 12

Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset Generational Issues (cont.) • 1964 – 1977 –want enjoyable experiences, multiple options, freedom; result oriented and not interested in leadership roles. They just want to get something done. • 1978 - 1995 – instant gratifications, truth and team players; stimulation and stability oriented. (similar to 1922-1943 generation) 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 13

Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset Volunteer Trends • Time poverty – short term projects and flexible schedules are more desirable • Increasing competition • Aging volunteer workforce • Changing definition of volunteering • Synergies between giving and volunteering 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 14

Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset Dollars and Sense • People are the product • Turnover costs • Hourly volunteer value - $18.77 • Social value of volunteers - enhanced community image 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 15

Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset Turnover Assumptions • Our perceptions of the predominant reasons for turnover are... 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 16

Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset Turnover Assumptions (cont.) • Major reasons • Benefits (tangible or psychological) • Training • We want to believe that turnover is caused by something in the system rather than a relationship 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 17

Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset What Does Research Suggest About Turnover? • Ineffective supervision or management • No opportunities for advancement • Need to balance volunteerism with other life priorities • Job content – meaningful work 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 18

Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset Research Also Suggests That Volunteers Have Expectations From Management.... • Honest, frequent two-way communication • Challenging and exciting work • Continual opportunities to grow and learn • Recognition and rewards for performance 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 19

Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset Research Also Suggests That Volunteers Have Expectations From Management.... (cont.) • Some degree of control over job/life • Knowing their work makes a difference 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 20

Improving retention is more about how you treat people rather than gimmicks, games, or prizes. True solutions require behavior and attitude change. Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset The Real Solution 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 21

Making the Most Out of Our Most Valuable Asset How Do We Find and Keep Good People? • “What is in it for me?” – have something to offer • Leverage the brand – affiliation must be an advantage • The environment must be interesting with quality services provided 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 22

Making the Most Out of Our Most Valuable Asset What Good People Want Promotion & Growth Inclusion - Feeling “In” Respect & Good Working Conditions 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 23

Right Person...Right Time...Right Job! Consider environmental needs Ethics, values and policies Physical surrounding Ensure ongoing volunteer motivation and appreciation Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset Responses to Retention Challenges 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 24

Ensure personal growth Develop “career ladders”for volunteers Relationships “Golden rule” Make staff satisfaction an important part of management work Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset Responses to Retention Challenges (cont.) 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 25

Provide coaching and feedback on work performance Equip staff to understand each others role – internal relationship building Increase recognition – develop a strategy, linked to results, providing specific self and peer recognition Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset Responses to Retention Challenges (cont.) 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 26

Sustaining Volunteer Engagement will be enhanced when volunteer recruitment, retention and development is focused on knowing your volunteers and giving them what they need to be successful and fulfilled in the work they are performing for your organization. Making the Most Out of Your Most Valuable Asset 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 27

For copies or more information: thompsonjb@usa.redcross.org 2007 ADRP Conference  Page 28

SNL – Business Meeting