The Volunteer Coordinator’s role is to:

• Liaise with other members of your club
  
• determine where volunteers are needed
  
• write task/job descriptions.
  
• assign specific jobs to volunteers.
  
• prepare info for each volunteer area
  
• regularly communicate with volunteers (maintain contact detail database)
  
• Motivate volunteers
  
• Develop a volunteer succession plan
  
• Organise reference checks were applicable

The starting point for your Volunteer Coordinator should be to identify the volunteer requirements for your club. 

They’ll find it helpful answering the following questions:

• How many volunteers are needed?
  
• To do what?
  
• When?
  
• For how long?
  
• What sort of people do we want in these roles?
  
• What authority will each type of volunteer have?
  
• Who will each type of volunteer report to?
  
• What will be done so new volunteers feel welcome and fit in?
  
• What support is available for new volunteers?
  
• Is it possible for experienced volunteers to work with new volunteers?

If a volunteer feels like they’re getting something back from their experience, they’re more likely to stay with your club and offer their services again in future. Highlight the benefits of volunteering, such as gaining new skills, making friends, having fun and helping others succeed.

Things you can do to promote your volunteer offer:

• On your website, Facebook, noticeboards, include information about what’s involved in volunteering for your club and the benefits
  
• Look for angles about your club/members that weave the volunteering message into your interviews and media releases.
  
• Organise community announcements on the radio, on your social media platforms, local newspaper, and newsletters
  
• Target senior secondary and students of Physical Education and Leisure Studies – they’re often keen for experience and are enthusiastic
  
• Organise a “bring a friend” day where current volunteers bring along a potential recruit.
  
• Link with local volunteer award programs and highlight the volunteers who have been nominated
• Attend local community events and expos.
  

Ask people to volunteer - It might sound simple, but studies have shown that simply asking people to volunteer is a very effective way of recruiting. Word of mouth is still the cheapest and best way of finding the people you want. Don’t be scared to ask people – often people love to be asked for help and are flattered when you do so.

Have the Volunteer Coordinator (or appropriate person) welcome the volunteer to your club and provide an introduction so they feel like they belong as quickly as possible.

Formal Recognition

All volunteers should have their efforts formally recognised at least once a year, including committee members. 

This could include:

• awards/prizes 
• a thank you card
• Christmas cards
• vouchers 
• a trophy
• and a function or special event.
  

A number of regional schemes are also in place to recognise volunteers and Regional Sports Trusts (RST) usually have awards for volunteers. Contact details for RSTs are available at Regional Sport Trusts

Giving Volunteers a voice

Volunteers are a valuable source of information about the community at large. It’s important that volunteers feel they are heard and that their perspectives and ideas are given due consideration.

Tip - use surveys, meetings, and workshops to ask volunteers for their views and then let them know how you’re going to integrate their views into your planning. If you choose not to use a suggestion it’s important to explain why

National Volunteer Week

Lotto Volunteers Sport Maker 

Kiwibank Local Heroes  - Nominations Close 30 September 

Every 6 - 12 months review and evaluate your club's relationship with your volunteers. Getting feedback from the volunteers themselves is a great way to analyse this relationship, also involving the volunteer coordinator at regular meetings to keep everyone in the loop.