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Engagement of Volunteers in Greater MN

Julie Vreeland

This month we are focusing on the engagement of volunteers in Greater Minnesota. Over the past 8 months organizations have seen more changes than they have in the past 8 years. Volunteer Engagement Leaders are being asked to do more than ever before. Most are now working without their volunteers and doing so many different jobs within their own organizations.

Most are learning to work with volunteers via Zoom for in home meetings and finding new ways to keep their volunteers engaged in the organization. Volunteers want to stay engaged and come back. The important thing for organizations is to keep volunteers on track and able to come back at some time in the future.

Many organizations are also worried about the continuation of their non-profits. Without the availability to continue with ‘business as usual’ organizations have learned to change and adapt to life during COVID 19. One of the biggest changes is how they do their fund raising. Many are finding creative ways to host on-line auctions, host golf tournaments and finding unique new ways to raise funds.

According to Volunteer Match – ‘How to invite volunteers back’:

Update your policies – let volunteers know what is now expected of them.
Understand what volunteers think and what they need and expect from your organization
Respect and enforce boundaries – i.e. like wearing a mask
Focus on the missions and impact driven work
Keep the new tools and processes that work for the volunteer and the organization.

During the summer of 2020 MAVA conducted a survey in Greater MN and received many great questions/concerns about the future of volunteering during COVID 19. The entire survey and responses can be reviewed HERE

Special thank you to everyone who replied to the MAVA Survey and shared information with us.

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