Keeping volunteers in your organization

I am on a number of organizations that cater to seniors and use older volunteers. All of the organizations, work hard to keep our volunteers with us. Making senior volunteers feel welcome is essential to ensuring they have a positive experience and want to continue to contribute their time and skills. Here are some tips on how we work to make senior volunteers feel welcome:

Senior volunteers often bring a wealth of experience and skills to the table. Show them respect by acknowledging their contributions and considering their input.

Provide adequate orientation and training to senior volunteers to help them understand their roles and responsibilities. This can help them feel more confident in their ability to contribute.

Adequate orientation and training for senior volunteers should provide them with the information and resources they need to understand their roles and responsibilities and feel confident in their ability to contribute effectively. This is a key element to keeping volunteers. We include the following in our orientation and training:

We provide senior volunteers with an overview of the organization, its mission, and its values. This can help them understand the context and feel more connected to the organization’s goals.

We also supply them with a clear job description outlining the specific tasks and responsibilities of their role. We also go over any expectations around attendance, punctuality, and other important factors.

All organizations have policies and procedures so we give them information on our policies and procedures, including any relevant health and safety information. This ensures that they are aware of their rights and responsibilities and can work safely and effectively.

Many of our volunteers have done the work in previous lives but we still provide training on any specific tasks or skills that they will be performing. This may include training on computer systems, working with clients or customers, or handling specific equipment or materials.

Working in a new environment can be confusing if a person is not given an orientation to the physical space where they will be volunteering. This orientation will include information on where to find supplies, restrooms, and other important facilities.

Feedback is important so we provide our volunteers with ongoing support and feedback to help them feel confident in their role and make any necessary adjustments. This includes regular check-ins, training sessions, and opportunities for feedback and suggestions.

We also try to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our volunteers feel comfortable and appreciated. We make sure they have a designated workspace and access to the resources they need.

Communication is key to making our volunteers feel welcome. We take steps to communicate with them and we are also open to their feedback and suggestions.

Many of our volunteers have other commitments or health concerns that require flexibility in their volunteering schedule. We are open to accommodating their needs as much as possible.

We take the time throughout the year to recognize and appreciate the contributions of our volunteers. We host a number of volunteer appreciation events and highlight their contributions on social media or in other communications.

By following these tips, we think we created a welcoming environment for our volunteers and we believe that these practices help ensure our volunteers feel valued and appreciated for their contributions.