Communication

It is essential that all volunteers feel they are very much part of your club.  Whether they are new or old volunteers.  Communication with volunteers is vital to keep a happy and motivated volunteer workforce.

It is therefore important that all volunteers feel that they are communicated with and feel you are a club which is approachable so they can communicate with you.

Try to involve everyone, whether they give up 1 or 21 hours each week.

Hold get-togethers or forums after training sessions, events or set aside meetings for volunteers to attend.  Alternatively why not try social events for everyone involved with the club to attend!  Remember meeting new people and socialising is a key reason why many volunteer.

• Make sure you vary time, dates and venues of meetings to make them available to everyone
• Always make sure any ‘get together’ is really needed, rather than one that is just routine
• Avoid wasting peoples time by being realistic about who needs to attend

Make sure communication is a two way process.  As well as them receiving information from yourself and/or the club make sure you have time to listen.  Both parties should give:

• Honest and constructive feedback
• Information about what they enjoy the most/the least and anything they would change
• Information on why they first got involved, are they achieving their goals?

It is always important to be aware of any concerns your volunteers may have.  If someone is finding they do not have the time available, which they once had, they may be interested in a job share to release some of their responsibilities.

Always make sure that you are approachable!

Remember communication is vital within your club to:

• Motivate everyone involved
• Listen
• Review your volunteers
• Recognise and reward achievements
• Identify any changes/improvements
• Identify any need for further training
• Build morale!

 Don’t assume volunteers know what is going on.  Some volunteers may not be as heavily involved as others but still deserve the right to know about decisions/events/changes which are happening within their club!  Use:

• Notice boards, signs and posters
• ASA and club newsletters
• Email or text messages
• ASA and club websites
• Match/gala/event programmes
• Volunteers briefings