3 Simple Ways to Improve Volunteer Retention

This article was originally shared on Energize Inc's A-Z Volunteer Management Library of Retention Resources (under "Tips from colleagues.") 

Recruiting new volunteers is critical, but it’s vitally important to consider how to retain current volunteers. With a new year upon us, now is the time to think about how to make improvements to help your volunteer base thrive in 2016. Here are some tips to help improve your retention efforts in 2016.

Understand Goals

Do you know what your volunteers want to get out of the experience? If not, find out! From there, you can help your volunteers succeed and enjoy their experience. If they want to gain experience in marketing, find opportunities for them to engage in a marketing role. Find out if they want to be challenged in their volunteer experience, or if they are happy just performing the simplest tasks.  

TxtMovies offers a free Get to Know You Survey that you can send to volunteers and when volunteers fill out the standard questions you will be emailed their responses. Did I say it was free?

Recognize and Reward

A simple message of  “you’re doing great!” is a big morale booster. Make sure volunteers know how appreciative you are of their service through simple reminders.  Consider various ways to reward your volunteers, as well. Rewards could include: providing snacks, inviting them to a once-a-year volunteer appreciation night, or providing a small token of appreciation. Children’s Hospital of Orange County Volunteer Services and other volunteer organizations across the country reward volunteers with RedBox and Amazon movie codes via email or text message using a service called txtMovies.

Remind

There’s a reason why each individual chose to volunteer with your organization. They probably have a personal interest or connection, so remind them of how their service is helping improve the lives of others. One great way to do this is to connect the volunteers with the individuals that your organization serves. This heartfelt “thank you” from those served could be in-person, via notecard, or even a video distributed to volunteers.

Try these suggestions in 2016, you’ll be on your way to a stronger, more engaged volunteer base that will help you drive your organization forward in the new year and beyond. 

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Thanking Mentors During National Mentoring Month

“Throughout our Nation's history, Americans of every background have worked…in common purpose to serve as mentors and lift up our country's youth. During National Mentoring Month, we honor all those who continuously strive to provide young people with the resources and support they need and deserve, and we recommit to building a society in which all mentors and mentees can thrive in mutual learning relationships.” – Proclamation by the President of the United States of America, December 31, 2015.

National Mentoring Month is upon us. It’s a time to reflect upon those who serve as mentors—providing encouragement and guidance to others and significantly impacting lives. “Thank Your Mentor Day” is January 21, but the whole month truly provides an opportunity to thank mentors in your life—whether you oversee mentors in your non-profit organization, or you personally have a mentor who has impacted you, or your child’s life.

Here are some ways to recognize your mentors during National Mentoring Month:

Thank You Note

Handwritten cards are a timeless and heart-felt way to show you are truly thankful for someone. In fact, here are 11 benefits of writing handwritten notes. Whether it’s on a handmade card, a store-bought card or downloaded card, writing a note to a mentor you care about is an easy and effective way to show appreciation.

Digital Shout Out

The National Mentoring Month Campaign is encouraging anyone who has had a mentor to share a story on social media using the hashtag #MentorIRL. Let your mentor know how meaningful they are to you with a video, Facebook post or Tweet!

Showing Appreciation

Think about the people in your life who are mentors and what they enjoy. If they love coffee—treat them to their drink of choice. If they like flowers, pick some up for them to brighten their day. If you’re part of an organization with many mentors, consider using txtMovies to easily send multiple movies in just a few minutes.

There’s also another important date during National Mentoring Month. January 14 is “I am a Mentor Day.” On this day, mentors are encouraged to talk about how they mentor others using #MentorIRL. On that day, we’ll be keeping an eye out for mentors and doing some rewarding of our own on Twitter! We’ll be randomly recognizing mentors with a free RedBox movie using txtMovies’ “Tweet a Movie” feature.

Remember to use the hashtag #MentorIRL!

Julie Miller, is the Director of Marketing for txtMovies, a leader in delivering Redbox movies and Amazon Instant Videos as a form of appreciation. Clients include major universities, nonprofits such as American Red Cross and Livestrong Foundation, health care organizations and professionals, religious institutions, restaurants, and market research companies.

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