OLLI Volunteer Workforce
How to Recruit & Retain
Our Most Valuable Resource
Ann Nikolai
OLLI @ California State University, Chico
Julia Cayuso
OLLI @ University of Miami
Andréa Sisino
OLLI @ University of South Carolina Beaufort
2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
Nonprofits Need More Talent
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Limited resources
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Leadership drain
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“Burnout” cited as number one reason
staffers change jobs
2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
Stanford Social Innovation
Review Winter 2009
http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/the_n
ew_volunteer_workforce
2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
Too Often
Undervalued
& Underused
2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
Volunteers Can:
Provide technology services
 Help develop programming
 Train staff
 Conduct strategic planning
 Help raise money
 Mentor young professionals
 Help improve staff morale and
lower turnover
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2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
Volunteer Talent
Leaves When We Fail To:
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Match Skills with Assignments
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Recognize Contributions
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Measuring the Value of Volunteers
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Train and Invest in Volunteers and Staff
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Provide Strong Leadership
2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
Capitalizing on Volunteer Talent
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Rethink Work Roles
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Assign Appropriate Tasks
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Create Bonding Experiences
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Support and Training Volunteers
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Use New Technology
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Develop Strategic Plans
2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
OLLI@CSU Chico
Chico, California
Population 89,949
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Race: 80% White, 14% Latino
Age: 15% are 65 & Older
(Compared to 11% for California)
California State University, Chico
Sex: 47% Male, 53% Female
 Education:
60% have some college
 Estimated median household
income: $35,990
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2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
OLLI @ CSU, Chico
Quick Facts
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Eligibility: 50+ or retired
Current Members: 1,017
12 distinct counties under 1 OLLI
200+ classes and programs (3 sessions)
100% volunteer instructors
Membership Fee: $100 annual fee
No additional class fees
2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
Recruitment Strategies
What worked?

Tying activities to Annual
Plan
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Tapping strong leaders
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Engaging volunteers in
planning

Identifying specific roles

Volunteers recruiting
volunteers

Recognizing contributions

Utilizing tools for outreach
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Clear, frequent
communication
Not so much…

Volunteer sign-up sheets
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Notices on bulletin boards
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General appeals
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Lack of clarity on tasks

Micro-management
2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
2013-2014 Annual Plan
2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
Sustaining the Volunteer Network
Developing Annual Committee Objectives
 Rethinking Work Roles
 Assigning Appropriate Tasks
 Creating Bonding Experiences
 Supporting and Training Volunteers
 Communication
 Recognition and Appreciation
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2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
Volunteer Recognition
Recognize
Contributions
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Personalize notes of
thanks
Share the glory
Tie contributions to
institutional values
and goals
Priority registration
Campus partnerships
Community partnerships
Celebrate
Milestones
OLLI @ UM
Coral Gables, Florida
Population 49,411
Ethnicity: 50% Hispanic
 Race: 91% White
 Age: 65 years+ (17%)
 Language Spoken at Home:
56% Spanish
 Sex: 48% Male, 52% Female
 Educational Attainment:
60% some college
 Estimated median
household income
in 2012: $85,183

University of Miami
2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
OLLI @ UM
Quick Facts
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Eligibility:
50+ or retired
Current
members: 800
Classes: 200+
(6 sessions)
Full Membership: $30
Separate Class Fees
Paid & Vol. instructors
2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
Recruitment Strategies
What worked?
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The Personal Touch
“Spreading the
word”
Class
announcements
Getting specific
Member surveys
Mine their passion!
Not so much…
E-newsletter “Call for
Volunteers”
 Notices on bulletin
boards
 General “calls for help”
 “Shots in the dark”
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2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
Sustaining the Network
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Consistent recruiting of new volunteers – don’t overwork them!
Pairing new volunteers & with “power” volunteers
“Something for every one”
Clear communication about work roles
Open door policy
2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
Volunteer Recognition
Make it personal
Hand-written cards
 Stock favorite
treats
 Smiles
 Recognizing
success
 Appreciation
Events
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2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
Attention to Details
•
•
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•
Favorite Treats
Appreciation
Luncheon
Certificates of
Recognition
Provide support
OLLI @ UM VIDEO WILL BE
PLAYED HERE
2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
OLLI @ University of
South Carolina Beaufort
The Lowcountry Region

Fourth fastest growing metropolitan
population along the East Coast.
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Four county service district
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Demographics:
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Race: 70% white, 20% African
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Age: 40% of the population is 50+
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Education: 55%
200,000 people
American, 10% Latino
degree or higher
bachelor’s
2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
OLLI @ University of
South Carolina Beaufort
Quick Facts
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Current Members: 1,500
4 distinct regions
450 classes annually
100% volunteer
instructors
Annual Fee: $40
Term Fee: $85 Unlimited
Summer Session:
Free to members
2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
Recruitment Strategies
What worked?
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Membership
Communication
Personal Interaction
Project Ownership
Matching Skillset to
Position
Recognition &
Celebration
Friend To Friend
Not so much…
“General” Call for “General”
Volunteers
 Posters or Flyers
 Insert in Curriculum Guide
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2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
Sustaining the Network
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Constant exposure in all
three communities through
community presentations
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Supporting our
volunteers’ needs
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Support - celebrate –
congratulate- support –
grow together!
2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA
Volunteer Recognition
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Bring all regions together
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Thank you notes on evaluation
letters, cards for special
occasions, personal touch
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Volunteer recognition wall
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Appreciation events – small &
large
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A MUST…make the time!
2014 OLLI National Conference, Carlsbad, CA