4 tips to improve volunteer relationships

Why good written communication is key

How strategic are you when it comes to communicating with your volunteers?

Volunteers are crucial to many purpose-driven organisations. But too often we forget to extend what we know about good communication to our volunteer programs.

In our days before Storyflight, we were both volunteers and volunteer coordinators. So we’ve seen this issue from both sides. 

We know that people who manage volunteers are often short on time and resources. Here are our quick tips to help you create a better experience for both volunteers and the staff they work with.

1. Strike the words ‘volunteers needed’ from your vocabulary

‘Volunteers needed!’ ‘Volunteers wanted!’ ‘We’re desperate for volunteers!’ When putting the call out for new volunteers, the first words that spring to mind may actually be the worst ones. 

Messaging with an air of desperation can have the opposite effect to what you intend. Nobody wants to get sucked into a whirlpool of need.

It’s important to have a mindset of abundance, not scarcity. When we use welcoming language like ‘come and join us!’ our message is suddenly much more appealing.

2. Share your organisation’s successes with your volunteers

We share our success stories and organisational benefits with our donors and customers. But often we forget to share them with our volunteers. 

Don’t just assume they know what your organisation is doing. When volunteers can clearly see how they contribute to the bigger picture, it improves volunteer morale, motivation and retention.

3. Share the stories of your volunteers with your audience

Profile your volunteers in your newsletters and other collateral, sharing their stories in their own words.

When you communicate about them you’re also communicating with them. You’re showing them, not just telling them, how valuable they are. It also serves as a testimonial for attracting new volunteers.

4. Personal thankyous are more powerful

Personal thankyous are much more powerful than generic ones. This doesn’t mean you should stop sending thankyou emails to your volunteers, but try adding a few handwritten notes to your morale-boosting repertoire.

Keep some cards and envelopes in your desk so you can write and post a quick thankyou note whenever you hear someone has done a particularly good job. Or better yet, put a reminder in your calendar to send them out on a regular basis.

It’s easy to leave these sorts of tasks for ‘another day’, but more time spent on communication pays off. Better communications mean you’ll build better relationships. In turn, you’ll have happy, motivated volunteers who advocate for your program and mentor new volunteers.

The result? Better outcomes for everyone.