Without the hard work of volunteers many events would never get off the ground.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
This is the first of a five part series on volunteers.
Without the hard work of volunteers many events would never get off the ground. According to Steven Wood Schmader, CEO of the International Festivals & Events Association “Many festivals and events depend upon volunteers to make them possible. Volunteers put the community into community events." In fact, a news report in Adelaide Now earlier in 2010 reported, “… a lack of volunteers could prove “disastrous”".
Think about what you can offer volunteers before you start looking for volunteers to help with your event, think about the genuine experience your event can offer volunteers. What ways can you make your event experience more enjoyable for a volunteer? What special ways can you let your volunteers know they are appreciated? Define the volunteer roles on offer to make the most of the volunteer resources at your disposal, it is always helpful to define the roles and responsibilities you would like volunteers to assist you with, and the skills and time required to fill those roles. Speak to those in the know If you don’t know where to start when it comes to attracting volunteers to your event, it always pays to contact your local volunteer resource centre to see if they can help.