5 Ways to Motivate Volunteers During The Holidays

 

If people are hesitant to help, there is always a reason. Why not ask what that is in earnest? Before you ask for someone to volunteer during the holidays, ask what they’re afraid of - missing time with family, not having time to buy gifts? Ask about their health and holiday plans - are they feeling okay, are they stressed about travel? Only after you relate to them, can you address their reservations.

Engagement Tip: At InspireHUB we teach our clients to use the 8 Perceptual Determinants to discover how a person’s decisions are influenced. Try using these 8 Perceptual Determinants to relate to your volunteers by addressing their concerns this holiday: fears, attitudes, beliefs, values, interests, experiences, worldview, and state of health.

2. Personalize Your Requests.

If you need volunteers, don’t just make a general request. Reach out to each volunteer personally and tell them why you want THEIR help. Maybe they did a wonderful job on the last project, maybe they’re a skilled organizer and you could really use that skill right now. Communicate openly and honestly about why you appreciate them and why they’re valuable. It will make your request personally relevant to your volunteer. Plus, reminding your supporter of a success they previously contributed to may produce a positive emotion based on their experience. That - coupled with your logical reason for wanting their help (their skillset) - may make the difference!

Engagement Tip: Don’t get too carried away with emotional outreach. When you reach out, keep your email focused - “avoid unnecessary fluff” as our InspireU Academy teaches. State what you need and why it’s relevant to your recipient.

3. Create Opportunities to Bond Over Mutual Passions.

If someone volunteered for your organization before or even just looked into your volunteer opportunities, it’s because they’re already interested in helping your cause. It’s now your turn to give them an opportunity to bond with you or your team over your shared interest in the cause! Share with them your organization's overall mission and why you - personally - are passionate about it. Start by visualizing the difference your organization could make if you had all the volunteers and donors you needed. What would that look like? Does it excite you? Share that vision and passion with your audience. If they’re interested in your organization, there’s a good chance they want to share in that excitement too.

Engagement Tip: InspireHUB training teaches that “thinking from the desired end result is the starting point.” Paint a picture of the ideal scenario for your event or campaign. What does the end result look like? Share that vision, but be careful… don’t market your vision or try to manipulate your audience into participating. Simply share your vision, passion, excitement, and give your audience a chance to participate in THAT.   

We’ve heard it before—the holidays are hectic! However true it may be, never use this as leverage to guilt your volunteers into action: “are you really too busy to help this child in need?” Instead try empathy. Show your supporters that you’re willing to work with their busy schedules and time restraints. Give them three (large or small) ways to participate or volunteer.  

Engagement Tip: Research shows that three is a magic number, that when you give people three options it instills confidence. Less than three frustrates people, more than three overwhelms. According to Miller’s Law, seven is the maximum number of objects human can hold in their working memory at once. Chances are, people are going to be holding more in their memory than your volunteer opportunities.

Yes, you should be thanking volunteers after they volunteer, but what about before they agree to help? Gratitude is actually something you can show to people even before they agree to help. The fact that they read your emails, follow you on social media, or download your app suggests that they’re already interested in your organization. Thank all of your listeners for simply caring about your cause. Show them that you pay attention and appreciate the small things they do. When you communicate appreciation, you create an opportunity to receive theirs in return.

Engagement Tip: Communication can be a catalyst for growth, but it takes practice. Every day try writing down 5-10 small accomplishments, then write down names of people who helped you achieve each success. Write each of those people an email. Think about the event or campaign you ran last month. Who contributed to that success? Email them too.

If you have a motivation tip of your own to add, use the comments section below to share it with us!

 Need help spreading the word about an upcoming event or campaing? Follow InspireHUB on social media to participate in our holiday #IHUBCheer campaign (ends 12/31/2015). Tag your nonprofit or a fellow nonprofit using #IHUBCheer and we'll help you spread the word!