{"id":298154,"date":"2025-10-22T13:26:01","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T01:26:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/?post_type=sbh&p=298154"},"modified":"2025-10-22T13:26:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T01:26:01","slug":"volunteer","status":"publish","type":"sbh","link":"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/small-business-resources\/not-for-profit\/volunteer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Recruit and Retain Volunteers Effectively"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.23″ custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.23″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”table-contents” _builder_version=”4.23″ background_color=”#f3f2f6″ custom_padding=”25px||25px||true|false” sticky_position=”top” sticky_limit_bottom=”section” sticky_position_tablet=”top” sticky_position_phone=”none” sticky_position_last_edited=”on|desktop” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ border_radii=”on|24px|24px|24px|24px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23″ text_font=”||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}” background__hover_enabled=”on|desktop”][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Intro” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_2_font_size=”32px” header_2_font_size_tablet=”30px” header_2_font_size_phone=”26px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Volunteers power so much good in Australian communities, from setting up weekend sports club<\/a> programs to packing food hampers, and everything in between. Their effort and commitment to bettering our communities make a tangible, positive difference to people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re an NFP, club, or community group looking to recruit volunteers and keep them engaged, you\u2019ll need to master the art of how to recruit and retain volunteers in a way that\u2019s sustainable and true to your mission.<\/p>\n

Start by crafting a volunteer program people want to join<\/h2>\n

Before recruiting volunteers, curate your volunteer program so it\u2019s a great experience from day one. Managing volunteers<\/a> well starts by you mapping out the:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Purpose:<\/strong> Who you serve, what difference you want to make.<\/li>\n
  2. Volunteer positions you need:<\/strong> Who will do what, when and where?<\/li>\n
  3. Benefits for volunteers:<\/strong> Learning new skills, meeting new people, improving wellbeing.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    See that your approach adheres to the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement<\/a>: they\u2019re the Australian benchmark and show you how important it is to have well-defined roles, solid induction, and training, good risk management, as well as simple policies for reimbursements, safety, conduct, and more.<\/p>\n

    Top tip:<\/strong> People choose to help when they can see the positive impact upfront, as well as the time commitment and how their skills will be used. Make that obvious everywhere you present your opportunities.<\/p>\n

    Explain the roles and the people you want to attract<\/h2>\n

    Clarity is magnetic. For each volunteer role, write a concise job description that explains the position, the skills or knowledge need (or that you\u2019ll help develop them through training), time expectations, location (is it on-site, hybrid, remote?), and who will be supervising the role. Also include any necessary screenings, like a Working With Children Check, and let them know whether there are any free resources or uniforms provided.<\/p>\n

    Think about diverse candidates, too: school students and teenagers looking to add new skills to their resumes, or mid-career professionals wanting to contribute knowledge. Retirees with time and life experience are commonly volunteers, as are employers who wish to incorporate staff volunteering days into their operations. Identify which groups fit which roles best so your recruitment strategies can speak to them.<\/p>\n

    Write recruitment messages that inspire action<\/h2>\n

    Your best message is the impact story. Use plain English to explain how volunteer involvement turns into tangible outcomes.<\/p>\n

    Here\u2019s an example: \u201cJust two hours a week creates 20 hot meals for those in need\u201d or \u201cOne Saturday a month keeps our playgroup open for 30 families\u201d. Invite potential volunteers to join a community that\u2019s passionate about the same interests.<\/p>\n

    Keep your calls-to-action short and to the point: \u201cInterested? Apply in 3 minutes\u201d or \u201cJoin us online for a free info session this Friday.\u201d The easier you make completing the application process, the more people will fill it out.<\/p>\n

    <\/h2>\n

    Pick the right channels and use your existing volunteers<\/h2>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Volunteer-Channels.png” alt=”volunteer channels: website, social media, stay local, existing volunteers & workplace volunteers” title_text=”Volunteer Channels” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    You don\u2019t need a huge advertising budget to attract great people. Use a mix of low-cost channels and plenty of word-of-mouth. Here are some ideas to get started:<\/p>\n