All Millennium Greens were intended to be run by volunteers, although many use some kind of professional workers at least occasionally.
Getting Volunteers[]
- Probably the most important thing to do to connect with the public for any reason is to talk to the visitors of the Green- ie the people who actually use it. The advice from New Southgate, who have increased their volunteer base year on year for six years, is to talk to every person we meet, with at least a greeting and gradually build up knowledge of their interests and feelings.
- Reassuring people that they don't HAVE to volunteer a lot may help encourage people to take the plunge. New Southgate offer people, especially locals, the choice of joining a "Once a Year" list, so they can feel they won't be nagged all year.
- Some people may want to come as a one-off for a small thing to do, then gradually reach the point where they will sign up on a list. These people can be put off by having a clip-board under their nose too soon.
- Lots of organisations, including schools, colleges, workplaces, faith organisations and youth groups can be approached and although the process may not feel very rewarding, as they are often disappointing, the numbers involved may well make it worth it. Many of these organisations may ask for Health and Safety or Equal Opportunities policies. Although this might seem to be a hassle, really Greens should have them anyway, so its best to write one and record it in the minutes of a Trustee Meeting.
- In our advertising for volunteers, we can ask for general volunteers and this should include reassurance that there is a role for ANYONE who wants to help, regardless of experience etc. We can also ask to fill ROLES- such as Artist or Publicity Officer- this may appeal to people looking for Work Experience, that would NOT be interested in general volunteering. We can also ask for help with a specific project, such as "can you fix our lawnmower?" which may appeal to someone with that skill, or someone who wants to help as a one off.
- We can speak to our supporters about asking friends and family to help at One-Off projects- such people are often wary of getting too involved with what their "cousin" is doing in a regular basis, but may help as a one off favour. This is a good way to get people to help in bigger projects and can lead to that person helping out once a year at an annual event, when we most need lots of volunteers.
- Contact your local authority, they usually have some kind of co-ordination group for volunteers. They may keep databases that you can be on. It is best to try and keep in touch with them as they tend to direct volunteers to whichever organisations they keep in their minds.
- Register your volunteer vacancies on the internet, such as Do-it.org.
- Promoting the Green via posters, events, internet, newspaper articles and letters etc. can get volunteers, especially if such media are positive, attractive and up-to date.
Keeping Volunteers[]
- Keeping in touch with your volunteers is important- we all have lots of demands on our time and regularly, though not TOO regularly calling them may help.
- Having fun- in interesting Events, but also on regular volunteering days.
- Training them and giving them new and interesting tasks.
- Listening to our volunteers- this means responding to their problems, but also learning their interests and how best to make volunteering with us what they keep wanting to do.
- Varying their role. It is recognised good practice to at least gently and gradually encourage volunteers to try something DIFFERENT to what they usually do with/on the Green. Although they may be reluctant and stuck in their ways, they are often refreshed by trying something and learning new things.
Training Volunteers[]
This could/should involve the following:
Internal Training[]
Even if your Green does not have any qualified people, use what experience you have and offer some kind of semi-formal training, so that people gain in confidence.
External Training[]
If you can get qualified people to come to the Green or arrange for your team to go somewhere to be trained they will gain skills which will benefit the team and the Green. Contact Local Authorities, Libraries and on-line, to find out what may be available in your area. If you can get funding from somewhere to offer training on things like First Aid, Food Hygiene Certificates etc, this may encourage people to get involved and ensure that your Green is run on a more solid basis. Speak to your Local Authority about this.
Rewarding Volunteers[]
You can consider paying some kind of travel/food expenses if you have more money than volunteers. Short of actually paying them, you can offer them whatever you do have- produce from the trees and plants; offers from friendly companies to recognised volunteers; food and drink while volunteering. Many volunteers are attracted to experience and something on their CV. New Southgate only offer references to those volunteers who pass their Certificate of Volunteer Training, thus ensuring the volunteer stays and contributes a while before being eligible, but in return gets a better, more substantial reference.
Some volunteers may feel that they want a more substantial position than you can offer them- one with more hours of work or more to learn. Linking with other bodies and sharing volunteers may help with that. If you can demonstrate that you are willing to take steps with them over time, then they may be willing to work with you until your organisation can offer them what they want. Setting them specific volunteer goals after which they can join your Committee; get keys to the locker; get a reference; get expenses paid can all keep volunteers.
Groups to Apply to[]
All official bodies that can send volunteers to you are likely to want you to have various official documents, ensuring that they will not be liable themselves- this could mean Equal Opportunities; Health & Safety; proper application paperwork etc, which they may need to keep copies of.
- Most universities have departments that can place volunteers. If you have any place of Higher Education near you, contact them to get put on their list.
- Local Authorities usually have a volunteer team. Getting in with them is very important. Don't just fill in a form and leave it to them- Ask to meet them; let them know how the volunteers they send you get on; invite them to your events; ensure that your Green comes to mind when they are recommending people to places.
- Companies also do volunteer projects.
- Youth organisations, such the Scouts, Guides, NCS etc. are all looking for places to go and things to do. Some may even offer funding to go with any offers of help.
- Other local charities, such as disability groups and groups involving retired people are often looking for places to do activities.
Young People[]
It is possible to have young people of any age volunteering; Halton Village use Brownies. However, the Trust must set up policies about what jobs young people can do at what age and what supervision they should have and by whom. If under 18's are used as work experience, for example, their school or college will have restrictions.