Going Virtual: Recruiting and Engaging Volunteers Online

The web is a great tool for finding volunteers because you can reach many people for a very low cost with a low staff-time investment. The web can also expand your reach. If you’re currently doing most of your volunteer recruitment in-person, only so many businesses will let you in the door. The Internet gives you access to audiences you couldn’t reach otherwise.

Additionally, you can easily find people who live in a certain zip code if you need volunteers who live in the community you serve. You can also target demographic qualities, such as age and gender, if you’re seeking a diverse volunteer base.

Finally, you can use these web tools to engage your current volunteers. Task them with setting up and running these products, or use the tools to plan events to educate or recognize your current volunteers.

As we review Facebook and Meetup in this tutorial, we will also “grade” and compare them using a report card and comparison spreadsheet. The report card explains the tool’s cost (if applicable), key benefits and drawbacks, level of security, and time required for both initial setup and ongoing maintenance. It also rates how difficult the tool is to administer and the skill level required for a user.

The comparison table outlines basic features and customization options, and compares Facebook and Meetup. Two additional tools are reviewed on the spreadsheets: Craigslist and VolunteerMatch. They are not reviewed in depth in this lesson, as many organizations are already familiar with them. Both sites are simple to use and don’t require much explanation, though the spreadsheets will provide feature comparisons and additional info.

You can download the report card and comparison table and add to or adapt them for your own organization. Please click the icon to learn more about the report card and comparison table.