The Power of Volunteers

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are well and enjoying the start of fall.  Fall is my favorite season.  The changes in nature are so dramatic and beautiful in Indiana.  And the energy in our communities changes as long, hot summer days come to an end.  There is usually an upswing in fundraising events and outreach activities--walks, runs and golf outings.  Fall is a season of people reconnecting through volunteering and participating.

One of the articles we're sharing this month is about volunteering.  My hope is that as you are engaging volunteers you are also nurturing them.  Research shows that the average volunteer attrition rate is about 67% per year--that means 67 of every 100 volunteers stop giving their time EACH YEAR. 

To prevent that attrition, we have to be careful to develop a culture in our organizations that values relationships.  Our volunteers aren't a labor source--they are the people who are most committed to our cause and best prepared to help us achieve our mission.  If they are not yet advocates, we help them grow into that.  We nurture them by helping them connect their passion and our shared purpose.

We can also show them the value their gift of time brings to our organizations.  In the U.S., the value of an hour of volunteer service is $23.07 per hour.  Calculate the amount of time volunteers donate to your organization, and show your constituencies how important volunteering is in your organization.  Donors consistently tell us that knowing this figure matters to them.  Over and over again we hear from donors that, It increases the return on my dollar that I give.It shows me what it really takes for them to do what they do,and It helps me to know I am part of a bigger community of people who care.  Showing volunteers the impact of their service helps engage them more deeply.

As we begin this season of new and continuing connections, plan to thank, nurture and grow your volunteers. 

Thank you so much for your service.

Warmly,

Jamie