How to Recruit Creatively At "No Cost"

Do you need to attract volunteer talent for your non-profit organization? Well sharpen your pencil and think outside of the box.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pencil, Paper, Open Mind

1. * Create and Post Volunteer Positions - In the form of Internship programs around business units and processes (ie. kitchen management, business management, food service management, facilities management, record keeping, employee relations, human resource compliance). Be creative with your list of processes and let the ideas flow. You may want to call upon processes later, as your business needs fluctuate.

2. * Develop College Work Study Program - Visit local colleges to determine interest and solicit participation. Be sure to bring along your well-drafted volunteer position descriptions created in step one. Determine programs offered by the college and link to your business processes. Be sure to advise the college of the appropriate training and exposure for the students that will be of benefit to the college and student participants.

3. * Create Internship Job Descriptions for various positions at your company. Some examples include the following possibilities: Assistant Center Manager Intern, Customer Care Agent Intern, Kitchen Coordinator Intern, Resource Specialist Intern, etc. Be sure to enlist feedback on position titles with the college, to develop appropriate position titles that make sense, for all stakeholders.

4. * Solicit Media Advertisement - Obtain "Radio donation" of airtime for 20-second internship advertisement. Distribute Flyer of same advertisement. Make a formal presentation at local community colleges on internship offerings. College presentations should include FAQ's followed by Q&A agenda answering questions on career options and volunteer opportunities, etc.
   
   ~ TheStorm Original ~

Tips & Warnings

• These recruitment strategies will provide additional resources for your company and build a partnership within your community. Conversely, it will take some effort on your part, however, the rewards can be substantial.
• Your company can hire a volunteer to do the foot work, make the calls, create the contacts, set up the meetings with the colleges, etc.
• If you like any portion of my recruitment strategy, please rate my article.

[arwen1964]

on 1/19/2008 I am sending a link to this article to a non profit I used to work for. Great article!