5 Reasons Why Volunteers Are Important to Your Organization

5 Reasons why Your Volunteers Are Important to your organization

There are many different reasons why people volunteer within their community and if you work in the nonprofit sector it’s your duty to find out their “why.”

1. Coverage: Many nonprofits wouldn’t run the way they do without their volunteers. They are the ones you usually see at the front desk greeting you, answering phone calls, working at the thrift store or out at events. They are the extra hands that helps an organization to continue to flow, the face that clients and the community can relate to on a different level.
2. Talents & Gifts: There are traditional organizations that are stepping into social media now (better late than never right?) and may not know how to go about this new task. A college student or graduate maybe looking for an internship (nonpaid) and can introduce different ways to utilize what may work for their organization. Volunteers that possess different gifts and talents that allows nonprofits to utilize someone from within rather than to pay someone (contract) could not only save money but donations and revenue could go up.
3. Connections: Great board members who have great things to offer are beneficial and I could easily say the same about volunteers. I’ve experienced where my volunteers have certain connections to skip the process it takes to receive donations and to be considered for that donations as well. A personal connect cuts down the time, which subtracts the time it takes to hear back from a business (typically a few weeks to a few months).
4. Heart: Those who have the heart and desire to work toward what an organization stands for are people you want to keep around. Good volunteers that come out to give their time 5 days a week to lead a program are those you want to make sure they’re taken care of. That is dedication
5. Commitment: The dedication and commitment of those whether 18 or 66 year old is something to be proud of. As I mentioned in regards to having “the heart” to give one’s time showing appreciation to those committed is nice. Many times good volunteers don’t expect nor look for incentives but they are great to incorporate for different milestones.

I strongly suggestion to think about how local organizations manage their volunteers and what an impact they make. They should most definitely be placed not only where you “think” you need them, but where they can flourish and desire to be. Volunteer Management is what I specialize in and I currently have a giveaway going on to offer tools and tips for FREE and 30 days via my Facebook. I hope this changes the perspective of volunteers and what they have to offer.