Building Volunteer Nest Eggs
Volunteer Planning for the Future by F&EG and NABCA -5/2008-
Volunteers are the backbone to any thriving club or organization. And because they are such an integral part to clubs it is important to know just how to build a team of volunteers that will come back and contribute again.
Organization, training, motivation and general “know-how” are all important factors in securing volunteers to make your club successful and easier to run.
“Successful booster clubs have found the keys to building their nest eggs of volunteers,” says Steve Beden, CEO of North American Booster Club Association (NABCA).
With a history of helping thousands of booster clubs get organized and grow, the NABCA serves booster clubs across the nation.
They provide guidance, education, training and support to all booster clubs and extracurricular programs throughout the United States and Canada.
“As a governing organization for booster clubs, NABCA is committed to helping all booster clubs – not just school-based or sports clubs, but all booster clubs – school, non-school affiliated sports, band, arts, dance and the many smaller youth supported extracurricular programs, throughout North America,” says Beden.
Turning Commitment into Contentment
Making the “nest’ comfortable for the flock is a key factor in keeping volunteers. It is the essence of good practice in volunteer management, that volunteers feel valued and part of your club. Those who feel that they have made a worthwhile contribution to their club, have been appropriately rewarded and recognized, and feel respected are the ones who will come back.
Trying to include too many volunteers and tasks in one “nest’ can make it too time consuming and uncomfortable for everyone involved. According to Steve Beden, CEO of NABCA “Many volunteers in general want to get involved, but don’t want to take on tasks that require a high level of commitment.”
“Breaking up volunteers into small work pods with simple, achievable tasks that do not require an abundance of time or effort will insure they keep coming back to help time and time again.”
Combining Inspiration with Organization
Forming a booster club is an important component to building a successful extracurricular program as it provides funding, volunteer support, upkeep for facilities, fields and equipment, transportation, and scholarships.
Schools that have an Executive Booster Club, have found an increase in parent participation and a decrease in problems between clubs.
An example would be where one booster club helps to oversee the activities of the football, debate, cheerleading and band booster clubs.
“Getting organized, setting goals and running successful meetings can actually contribute to boosting your motivation while steering you in the right direction,” says Beden.
Develop a solid agenda and keep on task while avoiding conversations and topics not included in your meeting agenda. “When you know what your plan is and can find what you are looking for, you’ll be more relaxed, less stressed and ready to tackle the next goal.”
To keep the inspiration going use a fundraising calendar of related occurrences and events, like changing seasons and holidays, that can provide excellent opportunities for fundraising. “People are busy and will only get involved if you show them how they can help your cause without overwhelming their lives with tasks. Keep it fun,” emphasizes Beden.
Your booster club can reduce the loss of parent involvement if you eliminate Senior parents as your executive members. They will be challenged during their son or daughter’s senior year with helping to prepare for college, scholarships, senior party, and a host of other activities that will take precedence over administrating the booster club.
By electing to have your clubs officers rank only in the underclass (Freshman, Sophomore and Junior) you have done two positive things. First, you have established a constant mentor base as senior parents will still be involved if you ask them to stay active, and second, you have reduced the loss of valuable knowledge which traditionally goes out the door when the child and parent graduate.
Gaining Skills with Education and Training
pread your wings and open your mind about getting some training and support for your volunteers. Let volunteers know that by gaining more knowledge for their club in marketing and leadership skills, they will ensure club success and it will be beneficial to them for their personal or business matters also.
It is important to educate yourself and/or volunteers on the latest techniques in motivation, communication, organizational and business skills.
Booster University, aka “Booster U” is a program created to help answer school/booster club questions and provide the guidance and training to ensure success for the leader and the booster club. “It is the perfect event for any booster club official who is looking to gain a better understanding on how to help provide stronger leadership or to find new club building ideas,”says Beden.
Take Advantage of Available Resources
Many groups and clubs are unaware that there are available resources and help for their organization such as the NABCA, who provides valuable information including skills and organization tools. Beden reemphasized, “If a booster club is not a member of NABCA they are missing out on gaining the support and guidance from the industry’s only booster club association dedicated to providing support that ensures the ongoing success of booster clubs and their programs.” The only thing volunteers can actually do wrong is to not take advantage of all of the good advice and help that is currently available to them.
Another under-utilized resource is the product-supplier, who specializes in the fundraising industry. When the fundraising committee selects a particular product to utilize in their fundraiser, the company who supplies that product also has a vested interest in the sales success of the fundraiser. When asked, the supplier may send out consultants who specialize in training the group leadership, teachers, parents and students.
Keeping a Positive Attitude While You Spread the Word About Your Club
Getting volunteers motivated and keeping them around can largely depend on the positive attitude and passion for your club. Research shows that many successful booster clubs have found that the key to continued success is their positive attitude and desire to motivate others into action.
With a positive attitude and enthusiasm, you can help generate more volunteers and make your club more visible to all parents by helping them understand the importance of participation and by forming a strong working relationship with your school. By doing so you will generate volunteers and earn the trust and respect of your school’s parents, teachers, students and administration.
Make the commitment to turn your enthusiasm and excitement into fuel for others to build from. A source of energy that will help your club continue to grow for years to come.
As they say, “Birds of a Feather Flock Together” and wouldn’t it be nice to hatch a lot of volunteers full of positive energy, enthusiasm, eagerness to learn with ongoing commitment and passion to your club? *
