American Association for Museum Volunteers - Recruiting Volunteers Strategy

25 Jan 2018 5:33 PM

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Message # 5702331

Deleted user

I'm new to the AAMV so any responses are appreciated.

I'm about to start recruiting volunteers for the Cook Museum of Natural Science in Decatur AL. It's 62000 square feet with 11 different exhibits and I'm estimating I'll need about 200 volunteers annually. We will charge for admission (price hasn't been set yet). Our community is about 55,000 people with medium household income around $43,000. I'm curious if anyone has experienced a similar challenge. How successful/difficult? What worked and what didn't work?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts. I'm thankful to be a part of this online community.

26 Jan 2018 11:29 AM

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Reply # 5703200 on 5702331

Richard Harker (Administrator)

Good morning Bill. Welcome to AAMV and good luck with this exciting and daunting challenge.

I have not experienced this particular challenge of recruiting volunteers for a brand new museum, but I know I was talking to some folk from the Museum of the Bible last year at the AAM conference and they were going through this, so you may reach out to them directly. In terms of strategies that I think could work, here are a few that come to mind this Friday morning...

- Attending as many local networking opportunities with all kinds of different community groups armed with a rack card/information flyer about volunteering - especially groups with similar interests to your museum

- Reaching out to Board members to ask them to spread the word and help recruit

- Making sure that Volunteering is a central part of your museum's "launch" advertising campaign, i.e. it is highlighted on social media and the website, and isn't relegated to the depths of your online presence

- Training/briefing your staff on what the volunteer program will do/what you need so that every time they speak with groups, stakeholders, etc, they can be armed with the same flyers/information and be recruiting for you.

Definitely interested to hear what other folk have to say, too.

Good luck!

Richard

26 Jan 2018 3:21 PM

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Reply # 5703634 on 5702331

Abbey Earich (Administrator)

Hi Bill,

Welcome to AAMV and what an exciting time for you! I've had a couple different experiences that may give you some ideas. Of course, Richard echoed much of what I'd recommend in his comment, but my thoughts are below.

Promote the volunteer opportunities alongside the museum/exhibition - make sure there is a link to your volunteer page on every (or most...or some!) promotions of the new museum. This is HUGE. People will not only see that the museum is opening, but that they can be a part of it.

Create your own promotions for the volunteer program - ask folks to "be a part of history as an inaugural volunteer". Post these anywhere and everywhere in your community (post office, coffee shops, YMCAs, gyms, universities, libraries, community boards, etc). You could also send out a mailing to any list you can get your hands on (ie: members, donors, community volunteers elsewhere, etc.). Can you get a spot (paid or donated) in your local newspaper (online or in print), on your local radio station, news channel, etc?

Can you host some sort of event/scavenger hunt/flash mob/whatever to get your museum and your program in the news? This would be so cool and so effective with social media!

Use staff and board members as recruiters - give them the tools and resources to help you spread the word - flyers, postcards, your business card, whatever they need. You want them to talk about the volunteer opportunity as much as they talk about the new museum.

Contact people connected to the theme of the museum (ie: science teachers, science majors, nature community groups, etc). Google Meet ups in your area and either visit or email them to help you spread the word.

Host information sessions - this can be tied with "learn more about the museum" as well as "learn how to contribute". This helps folks learn more before committing and you can even pitch to the group to help you spread the word.

Post with online forums: Volunteer Match, All for Good, AARP, county volunteer offices, etc.

Of course, this is all about how to spread the word about your opportunities. The more people you have talking about you the better. I'd start as soon as you're able so that you have time to build the momentum.

I'd love to post this question on our AAMV Facebook page to see if we get other responses from museum volunteer managers. Are you ok with me tagging the musuem?

Best of luck to you!

Abbey

AAMV Mid-Atlantic Regional Director

Smithsonian Office of Visitor Services

26 Jan 2018 7:07 PM

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Reply # 5703933 on 5702331

Deirdre Araujo (Administrator)

Hi Bill!

In addition to what's been suggested, can you talk with your Marketing team about getting your request for volunteers right up there on the Google search page?

This page is where some folks make their first decision about the organization and whether or not to proceed and click on the website link. If there's no one specifically 'in charge' of this, you can always suggest an edit and provide your job title as back-up.

Looking at the local map - be sure to add info on public transit, parking

Perhaps you could get together with Calhoun Community College in order to be placed on their Service Learning list - maybe a student in the Anime Lounge could help with social media, and I'm guessing that their tech camp counselors would love more opportunities to engage outside of summertime. I'd also keep an eye on the Girls Who Code program at the library - you could find some wonderful volunteers to share there. Finally, consider registering with CIEE.org There are many international grad students eager to serve in the US, but are unable to afford to stay in places like San Francisco. It would be great to offer one opportunity to start - if successful, there could be a regular referral from happy former interns. Please let us know which strategies were successful!

All the best,

Deirdre

26 Jan 2018 8:31 PM

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Reply # 5704071 on 5702331

Deleted user

Thanks for the insights Richard!

Abbey-it's fine to tag the Museum. It might be a little premature but I can handle that if it comes and that isn't a bad problem to have actually...

Deirdre-thanks for the local ideas. I have thought of Calhoun and have some connections out there, so I'll be connecting there soon.

One challenge is that we are currently without a Marketing Director (long story...) but we are working to overcome that AND hire another one quickly.

It's going to be a memorable experience!