Tools for members recruiting community volunteers

Like any position, volunteer success comes from knowing the strengths of your applicants and placing them with the right people.

Use these resources to:

• Design a system of volunteer recruitment for your program
• Enable members to recruit the best volunteer candidates within their community
• Develop an application process for your volunteer program
• Track your volunteer placements within the program
• Train volunteers for maximum success in the field

Finding great volunteers can be a challenge for new programs and for first year AmeriCorps members. This recruitment tip sheet will support you and your members as you start the difficult task of creating a database of volunteer connections. It will give you ideas so you can create a system of volunteer recruitment that you can use year after year.

This tip sheet was contributed by Chicago Public Schools Homeless Education Program (Chicago, IL) , a VISTA program that works with low income and homeless students to assure they are provided with educational opportunities that are equal to those of other students.

A volunteer application allows you to secure the best volunteers for your program. Both you, members, and potential volunteer know exactly what is expected of them. This sample application will give you an understanding of a clear, well designed volunteer description. It includes confidentiality statements.

A volunteer placement form allows volunteers, volunteer coordinators, and school staff to know the details and contact information of everyone involved in the recruitment and placement process.

These volunteer tools were contributed by Schools of Hope project (Madison, WI), a VISTA program that trains and coordinates academic tutors for low-income students and students of color in the primary grades to improve academic achievement.