Comments on: Finding volunteers for those “blah” tasks… http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/finding-volunteers-for-those-%e2%80%9cblah%e2%80%9d-tasks%e2%80%a6 Maine Conversations about Volunteer Management Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:35:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Jim Entwood http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/finding-volunteers-for-those-%e2%80%9cblah%e2%80%9d-tasks%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1#comment-12899 Jim Entwood Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:09:18 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/?p=259#comment-12899 I have this same challenge for both volunteer and paid staff. Here are a few things I've tried. I think admitting that a task is dull is good (it can build appreciation and trust with volunteers) but that acknowledgment should be followed up by pointing out how important it is in the big picture. Why is the task important to the mission? Dull tasks can also be fun if the setting is right. As stated above working with others as a team, listening to music, taking breaks to have a conversation can make the mundane fun. Expressing the value of the work before, during and at the completion of a task can help keep up motivation as well. I have this same challenge for both volunteer and paid staff. Here are a few things I’ve tried.
I think admitting that a task is dull is good (it can build appreciation and trust with volunteers) but that acknowledgment should be followed up by pointing out how important it is in the big picture. Why is the task important to the mission?
Dull tasks can also be fun if the setting is right. As stated above working with others as a team, listening to music, taking breaks to have a conversation can make the mundane fun.
Expressing the value of the work before, during and at the completion of a task can help keep up motivation as well.

]]> By: Sharon Tewksbury-Bloom http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/finding-volunteers-for-those-%e2%80%9cblah%e2%80%9d-tasks%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1#comment-12847 Sharon Tewksbury-Bloom Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:09:30 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/?p=259#comment-12847 In addition to creating a work environment in which it is understood by staff and volunteers that we all pitch in to get the necessary but unglamorous work done... I would suggest looking creatively at different types of volunteers to recruit for these tasks. A few examples: 1. Is there a mindless task that can be done by a group of people who are allowed to chit chat and /or listen to music while they work? I did letter stuffing as a teen and enjoyed it because I could do it with my friends and gab the whole time. 2. Better yet, is there any work that can be done from home or virtually by a volunteer that might care about your mission but not be able to get in to your site to help? 3. Is there work that is simple but necessary that someone with an intellectual disability might find rewarding? My colleague has found a fantastic volunteer who is developmentally disabled and an extremely good worker - she does all of their mailings! In addition to creating a work environment in which it is understood by staff and volunteers that we all pitch in to get the necessary but unglamorous work done… I would suggest looking creatively at different types of volunteers to recruit for these tasks.

A few examples:
1. Is there a mindless task that can be done by a group of people who are allowed to chit chat and /or listen to music while they work? I did letter stuffing as a teen and enjoyed it because I could do it with my friends and gab the whole time.
2. Better yet, is there any work that can be done from home or virtually by a volunteer that might care about your mission but not be able to get in to your site to help?
3. Is there work that is simple but necessary that someone with an intellectual disability might find rewarding? My colleague has found a fantastic volunteer who is developmentally disabled and an extremely good worker - she does all of their mailings!

]]> By: Jeremy Keith Hammond http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/finding-volunteers-for-those-%e2%80%9cblah%e2%80%9d-tasks%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1#comment-12839 Jeremy Keith Hammond Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:22:41 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/?p=259#comment-12839 Perhaps - as they're working - bluntly admit it's boring work and at the same time express your appreciation for it - especially if you're right there doing it with them. A simple "thank you" goes a long way. Perhaps - as they’re working - bluntly admit it’s boring work and at the same time express your appreciation for it - especially if you’re right there doing it with them. A simple “thank you” goes a long way.

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