Comments on: Sustain Volunteer Programs by Increasing Membership http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/sustain-volunteer-programs-by-increasing-membership Maine Conversations about Volunteer Management Sat, 6 Sep 2008 00:52:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Jeremy Hammond http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/sustain-volunteer-programs-by-increasing-membership#comment-422 Jeremy Hammond Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:51:32 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/sustain-volunteer-programs-by-increasing-membership#comment-422 A common theme among all of these ideas is communication. No matter what way(s) you choose to do so, it should be frequent, interesting, different, and informative. There is such a thing as too much, as well. You don't want to spam peoples' emails, or call them every day either. A common theme among all of these ideas is communication. No matter what way(s) you choose to do so, it should be frequent, interesting, different, and informative.

There is such a thing as too much, as well. You don’t want to spam peoples’ emails, or call them every day either.

]]> By: Christy Monroe http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/sustain-volunteer-programs-by-increasing-membership#comment-412 Christy Monroe Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:48:40 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/sustain-volunteer-programs-by-increasing-membership#comment-412 How about hosting a family day event where folks can bring out the kids for a day of worthwhile volunteering in their community. I'm always looking for ways to teach the ethics of community service in a FUN way at home. You may have more of a draw-in for new members if it's an opportunity for the whole family. How about hosting a family day event where folks can bring out the kids for a day of worthwhile volunteering in their community. I’m always looking for ways to teach the ethics of community service in a FUN way at home. You may have more of a draw-in for new members if it’s an opportunity for the whole family.

]]> By: Penny Kern http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/sustain-volunteer-programs-by-increasing-membership#comment-410 Penny Kern Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:33:21 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/sustain-volunteer-programs-by-increasing-membership#comment-410 Good advise. Another suggestion I have is have someone follow up on the people who miss meetings. It is very easy for a volunteer to get "lost" if they miss a meeting or an event. Once they are out of step, it's extremely difficult to get back into the rythm unless someone takes the time to drop a line (phone, email, or by mail) to help them. I know some people like things on hard copy but, in my house, it better be in an email or I've lost it somewhere on my desk. I can "find" on my computer and let it do the work of searching. Just me, though, I'm sure. Thank you Penny Good advise. Another suggestion I have is have someone follow up on the people who miss meetings. It is very easy for a volunteer to get “lost” if they miss a meeting or an event. Once they are out of step, it’s extremely difficult to get back into the rythm unless someone takes the time to drop a line (phone, email, or by mail) to help them.

I know some people like things on hard copy but, in my house, it better be in an email or I’ve lost it somewhere on my desk. I can “find” on my computer and let it do the work of searching. Just me, though, I’m sure.

Thank you
Penny

]]> By: Anne Schink http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/sustain-volunteer-programs-by-increasing-membership#comment-408 Anne Schink Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:09:51 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/sustain-volunteer-programs-by-increasing-membership#comment-408 You also raise an interesting issue that occurs in membership organizations when the organization functions with certain 'unwritten rules' about the conditions of membership. Often, membership in an organization assumes that the member is automatically promising to contribute a given number of hours to the organization. Members feel annoyed, if not betrayed, when they discover that being available to volunteer a certain number of hours per week or per quarter is considered the norm for the organization. This challenge for membership organizations is the fuel for many heated conversations about the meaning of membership. 'Inactive members' are often not respected by the organization, despite the fact that they support the goals of the organization and their dues make possible the work of others. These are difficult conversations to have, but they need to be part of the work of the board to reach some form of agreement about what the expectations of membership really are. You also raise an interesting issue that occurs in membership organizations when the organization functions with certain ‘unwritten rules’ about the conditions of membership. Often, membership in an organization assumes that the member is automatically promising to contribute a given number of hours to the organization. Members feel annoyed, if not betrayed, when they discover that being available to volunteer a certain number of hours per week or per quarter is considered the norm for the organization. This challenge for membership organizations is the fuel for many heated conversations about the meaning of membership. ‘Inactive members’ are often not respected by the organization, despite the fact that they support the goals of the organization and their dues make possible the work of others. These are difficult conversations to have, but they need to be part of the work of the board to reach some form of agreement about what the expectations of membership really are.

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