Motivating Volunteers

We live in a 55+ community and of course, our Board and Committees are all volunteers. So many of our owners consider the fact that they are "retired" a perfect reason for not getting involved in the running of our community. We have only 129 homes and when over 90% want to keep a "low profile" the daily management of the community falls on the five-member Board of Directors and the chairpersons of various committees. Does anyone have any ideas for motivating retirees to "get involved". Even our attendance at social activities seems to be dwindling with only about 30% involvement.

Hi Sharon:

One of the best motivation for people to volunteer is to see that it benefits them! Some great ways to show that benefit:
1) Profile one volunteer each month in your newsletter; in the article, include how "what they do" makes the community better, touches other people.
2) Have some kind of "volunteer appreciation" function, whether on a yearly, half-yearly, or quarterly basis. It doesn't have to be anything particularly big...I knew a church that had a sit-down dinner served to volunteers every year, with spaghetti/salad/garlic bread/dessert.
3) Mention projects completed by committees, volunteer groups, etc.
4) Think "outside the box" on how to improve social functions. You may want to ask a sample group who come to functions, and another sample group that doesn't - and compare answers.
5) Try to put together a welcome committee (even if it means involving the current board members and committee chairs) who can welcome new members (maybe once per month have a gathering, to let them meet your core people) and advise them of the opportunities to volunteer, get involved and therefore meet more people. This can get new blood into activities, as well as starting the new people out on the right foot.
6) Explain how assessments will need to be raised in order to maintain some services if volunteers are not found to carry out tasks...

I hope some of these ideas will be helpful.

J. Patrick Moore, CMCA

Hi Sharon:

Another way to motivate those to get together is to have some guest speakers or do a "Tell us your Profession Night" any time you get people together there will always be volunteers. Try to find the most interesting people and ask them questions.

Hi Sharon:

One other thing about volunteerism: the best way to recruit volunteers is to simply ask people who are qualified to do the job. You won't always get a yes from somebody, but you'll probably end up with more volunteers that way, than simply asking in the newsletter or on a bulletin board. Getting your current volunteers to get more will remove you one step from the "no," if you don't like being told no. It's amazing how many people will respond if simply asked.

J. Patrick Moore, CMCA

SharonP:
This is a common problem with over 55 communities in that the retirees have opted for this lifestyle so they won't 'HAVE TO DO anything (outside maintenance, etc.). They feel they have 'put their time in' and now its their time to relax. I am one of those, so I know.

It is unfortunate for those in a leadership role to find ways to rally others to 'get off their duff' and become involved. I often liken this time in our lives to our teen years when we wanted to make friends and be important to others, but we were unsure how to do it.

There will always be some who choose to stay behind their front door and they will pay their dues/fees, not attend meetings, just live out the rest of their life as loners. You will most likely never get them involved.

But, for the others who do want to 'enjoy new friends' in community living, these are the ones you want to target. Suggestions:
- send out a questionnaire: what are your talents, occupation/s,
hobbies, etc.; alert all that the info will be shared
- ask if anyone would like to share (try not to use the word volunteer)--their talents/skills in an effort to know each other and benefit the community as a whole--gardeners, photographers, artists, interior decorators, painters, woodworkers, sports enthusiasts: bowlers, golfers; seamstresses, cards:pinochle, bridge, travel agent, secretary, etc.
- upon return of questionnaires, compile a list
- propose a 'get to know your neighbor' gathering

There is no telling what could come of this effort. If residents feel they can join with neighbors to have fun, then when the 'work' becomes necessary there won't be a problem. Good Luck!