Welcome to Partners Corner where Volunteers for Prosperity partner organizations, U.S.-based nonprofits and companies, can exchange useful information based on topics related to international voluntary service. This forum provides VfP partners periodic opportunities to share with others in the VfP partner network insights and perspectives on managing volunteer programs.

This month VfP partner, Partners of the Americas, shares its insights about recruiting skilled American volunteers to implement projects. Established in 1964, Partners of the Americas pairs U.S. states with Latin American and Caribbean countries in international partnerships through chapters such as Michigan-Belize and Kansas-Paraguay. Chapters exchange volunteer professionals in a variety of fields and for a range of development assistance activities.

Tips for Recruiting Volunteers

It may seem like a daunting task - organizing a local chapter and planning a recruitment campaign when you have a limited volunteer base which is already stretched thin implementing existing projects. However, based on the experiences of volunteers from local chapters of Partners of the Americas, the following guidance may be helpful!

• Recruit though an interesting activity. Planning an upcoming chapter meeting to take care of important internal "housekeeping" issues? Don't invite your new member prospects! Make their first chapter experience an interesting one - perhaps a project or social gathering. Recruit through activities, not meetings.

• Tap into affinity groups. Know any local groups or organizations that you think might have common or complementary interests with your organization? Such "affinity groups" are ideal recruitment targets. Plan a joint activity or invite them to one of yours.

• Have one, bring one. Can you and each of your members commit to cultivating and recruiting one new member this year? If so, you are on your way to doubling your membership.

• Be active in your outreach. Have a brochure and keep it current. Use the media to tell your story. Meet and inform media contacts before you need something from them. Create and maintain a website for your chapter highlighting opportunities and events. Brag about your accomplishments - your work truly is extraordinary.

• Develop an effective communications strategy. Focus on effective communications with your members and member prospects. Don't inundate them with email - make your messages count. Send out a newsletter at least two times per year. Send it by mail or email or both. Send personalized letters to your members in between.

• Draw interest with special guests and recognition events. At your annual meeting, invite a guest to call attention to the event (e.g., an ambassador, artistic group, the CEO of your parent organization, or someone connected to your counterpart community) and present the President's Volunteer Service Award to eligible volunteers to honor their selfless deeds and good work!

A concerted effort to tackle membership challenges in an organized manner will help you build a stronger organization for the future. Remember "ordinary people are capable of extraordinary things."

Note: Partners Corner is not intended to serve as a vehicle for making recommendations to the VfP Office, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) or the U.S. Government. Views on the topics are completely voluntary and help to facilitate a useful exchange of ideas among VfP partners on best practices, challenges, and lessons learned relating to international voluntary service.

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