Saturday, June 13, 2015

Volunteer Retention: If They Got It, Let 'Em Flaunt It

Have you ever done something you got so enthralled with that five hours went by like that, you forgot to eat a meal, but you still feel rejuvenated?! I feel that way about crafts and creating presentations because both allow me to express myself and my thoughts. Both activities allow me to use some of one of my favorite skills- finding ways to connect people to new ideas. When people are using their skills- the things that they thrive upon- difficult tasks become less annoying.

When the creators of Toy Story worked on the movie, they felt like the story wasn’t going anywhere. The plot had no heart and no purpose. The creators went back to the drawing board to try and make the toys come to life and reach people in a more intentional way. Finally, the creators remembered the toys were happiest when they were played with. That became the mission of the toys! To constantly strive to do what they were made to do- be a young boys best toys.

People are happiest when they do what they are made to do!

An amazing technique for long-term volunteers is allowing people to work from their gifts and passions. Sounds like a no-brainer but, you would be surprised how many volunteer coordinators don't do this.

I have seen this work successfully at one of the many non-profit organizations in Denver. They have three phases of receiving volunteers, and the results speak for themselves. The organization:
- never struggles to find volunteers
- has many long-term volunteers.

Although their three-phase process is simple, it is also very deliberate. It’s a trade-off. Sometimes you have to slow down to speed up!


  1. Interview Phase: Identify gifts. The organization volunteer coordinator sits down with every single volunteer and listens to his or her story. They are listening for godliness, gifts, responsibility, and passions.
  2. Creative phase: Identify the project. This is where the volunteer and staff brainstorm what ways they could serve. It’s no longer just parking lot duty (although some may be gifted in that) but now the organization has maintenance staff, dance teachers, professional chefs, technicians, teachers, and leadership consultants! People keep coming back to serve because they are using their skills to do meaningful work.
  3. Serving phase: Identify impact. Make space for them to serve and let them do their thing. When people are working from their happy place, doing what they were made to do, there will be great outcomes.

Bailey's Volunteer Pyramid

Don Clifton the author of StrengthFinders said, "successful organizations don’t just accommodate the differences in their people, they capitalize on them." The best way to retain volunteers is to take the extra effort and time to know them, move them to the place that best suits them, and watch the magic happen.


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