How to Get Volunteers to Work Together Well
Working with volunteers can sometimes resemble herding cats--everyone means well and wants to contribute, but they don't always agree on how to go about doing what needs to be done. Here are some tips to help you get volunteers to work together well.
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Instructions
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The first thing you need to do is get to know everyone in the group. Hold an informal gathering, serve refreshments and spend some time talking with one another. Have each person introduce himself first, then the person to his right. Each person should state one strength and one favorite activity. Give everyone a notepad and pen and have everyone talk to one another. Take notes that will help you remember who each person is.
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Brainstorm event ideas and activities for each event. Ask each person to commit to a specific task, according to their interests. Make sure everyone speaks. Do your best to bend the events and tasks to the likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses of your group, rather than making the group bend to the event or activity. People work far more effectively when they enjoy what they are doing.
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Set a schedule for events and a timeline for accomplishing the tasks needed for that event to succeed. Consult with everyone to be sure the schedule of events does not conflict with other responsibilities. Adjust the event schedule and task timetable as needed.
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Play to people's strengths, But do not lock anyone in to a particular task over and over. Share the load evenly, according to the strengths and abilities of each individual.
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Remember to thank your volunteers for giving their time and muscle to the task at hand.
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Tips & Warnings
Make the first meeting informal, and spend time getting to know one another.
Brainstorm events and activities, bending the activitty to the strengths and interests of the volunteers.
Make sure everyone gets a chance to be heard.
Get everyone to commit to a specific task for each event.
Remember to thank everyone for lending their time and muscle to the cause.
