Getting User Group Volunteers
In the AUGD mailng list this past week, there has been quite a discussion of increasing the number of volunteers in a MUG. It seems that your group is not the only one trying to do it with only about 2% of its members volunteering.
Some suggestions:
(1) list what positions are available and what they entail. Example from QMUG: "Future"
(2) hold elections for one-year terms the same time each year
(3) hold new officer orientations to:
- find out what they have already done
- find out what they would like to do
- acknowledge that this is a volunteer position, and that no one will ask them to do something they don't want to do
- reassure them that delivering bad news is okay, and that that is better than not saying anything or disappearing, and to
- show them what resources are available to them as officers
(4) thank them at the end of our year w/ Certificates of Appreciation
(5) It is actually better to have NO ONE in the position than to have someone in the position who either can't or won't fire on all cylinders.
(6) Realize you can't do everything, and if no one else wants to do it, maybe it just won't get done.
(7) form committees to take over large jobs
(8) get these people to your board meeting and ask for committee reports
(9) do not micro-manage tasks
(10) give your general members a job
(11) be ready and willing to accept resignations from board members
(12) tell your board how long you plan to be the President
(13) Some concret rewards:
- volunteers/leaders have membership fee waived
- budget for leadership meeting breakfasts, lunches or dinners
- first dibs at review items
- last dibs at review items
- "free" raffle tickets (depending on out look of group)
- recognition awards, dinner, etc.
- the fun of being amongst others that are willing to talk Mac
(14) Some are just waiting to be asked rather than letting you know that they would be willing. What lets me continue to strive for more is knowing that I do what I want because "I" like to do it
(15) Limit terms to avoid burn out and the impression that it is "Joe's group"
(16) Start asking members to do small tasks; After several months, ask them to switch to something else; Ask them to attend a short board meeting of lots of members.
I did an essay a few years back on why I volunteer. Bascially it came down to the teacher learning more than the students.
Why do you volunteer?
Let me know what you think!
Have a great week...
Lynn
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