Thoughtfully and purposefully selecting volunteers is the basis for a rewarding experience for both the organization and the volunteer.

Take the time to develop job descriptions and define the skills, experience, commitment and behaviors that roles require.  It’s the basis for screening, interviewing, and managing performance.

Actively seek new talent (before you have an opening) to manage organizational growth, succession planning, or a sudden vacancy.  Your leadership and best volunteers are “talent scouts.”

Make application screening a top priority, speed of response and professionalism of interactions are critical. The process has to be well defined (who, how, & when) including application intake & acknowledgement, application review, reference checking (if applicable) and  communication with the volunteer.

Consider a team interview process using a interview worksheet for each interviewer to assign a score for each aspect of the role outlined in the job description.  Discuss their motivation (which drives their commitment) and how they expect to contribute.

Trust your instincts – is there an overwhelmingly positive impression or an unexplained cause for concern?

Placement makes all the difference, consider where the volunteer will best serve the organization now and in the future.  Beyond qualifications & organization fit – how well can this individual’s personality and style fit the team they will work with?

Close the loop and provide prompt feedback – the volunteer should not have to wonder where they are in the process.

Invest in onboarding, revisit the job description and commitment, confirm availability for scheduling, plan training, describe how they can share ideas/feedback, and schedule introductions to the team. Also schedule a touch point 30 days after they start to ensure things are on-track.

Remember the volunteer is watching for indications of how your organization operates as a signal of what their experience will be serving with you.  The quality of their experience will impact how they talk about your organization – especially to other potential volunteers. Their experience should make them even more excited and motivated to join your team.

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