The Complete Idiot's Guide to Recruiting and Managing Volunteers

by J.L. Lipp, John L. Lipp

Advice on the unique challenges of managing a volunteer workforce.

Volunteers provide vital services to millions of people each year. However, because of their work?s special nature, they?re one of the most challenging work forces to manage and retain. Lipp has managed these workers for over 20 years and shares his experience in recruiting, balancing paid and volunteer staff, creating schedules that work, addressing the transient nature of volunteers, motivation, and retention.

?Expert author in the field

?There is a growing need for volunteer workers as budgets are cut

?Most current book on the subject

?Clear, jargon-free text full of anecdotes and step-by-step advice

Genres: Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

JL lives with his family, including two rescue dogs and a rescue kitty, in a really old house just outside of San Francisco, CA. He’s not sure if the house is haunted, but sometimes he hears things that go bump in the middle of the night and wonders what his pets are staring at in the hallway. JL has published all kinds of things for adults and kids, but likes writing scary stories most of all. Sometimes he sleeps with the lights on.

Reviews

[Rachel Y · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good introduction to an area where I just don't know what I don't know. Clear writing style, relevant anecdotes / details, and great resources scattered throughout.

[Mary Ann Keester]

Enjoyed the book. First few chapters was stuff I knew but farther I got in the more I started to learn. Especially like the chapters on fundraising and boards.

[MD · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is amazingly thorough. Even though it is (understandably) skewed toward "cause” volunteers and my involvement is with a 501(c)(3) organization, this book was very worthwhile for me. The edition I read is dated 2009, so it is a bit dated in places (I read it in 2017.) and some URLs no longer work, but most of the information isn’t likely to have changed. There may be updated editions. (If so, hopefully they fixed the typos too.)

Here is some of the information I got from this book:

- There are a lot of different reasons people volunteer – the book lists a whole page of examples! They aren’t just altruistic. Understanding what a person’s reason(s) is and understanding which reasons your positions support is important to successful volunteer recruitment, placement, and retention.

- In addition to that, people have different motivations for volunteering which are also important to understand and which affect things like how volunteers are likely to interact with others and what recognition is meaningful to them.

- Performing an assessment of your volunteer program or volunteer program readiness lays important groundwork for moving forward. Again, great examples to get you started.

- It’s important to document what is expected for each position – both of/for the volunteer & the organization. Giving positions a great title is a plus!

- Lots of tips for volunteer sources and recruiting volunteers, including ensuring diversity.

- Volunteers need both orientation & training – and they are not the same thing.

- Some ways to show gratitude to volunteers – and the importance of doing so.