13 Steps to Successful Organizations - Retro

1. Define and Conquer. Structure the jobs. Without proper job descriptions, you are heading for disaster. No one likes to be associated with failure -- and nothing creates more interest than success.
   


2. Overstate Your Case. Don't go so far as to intimidate, but don't say "it will take you no time at all" if it will take three or more hours for more than a few days. Volunteers that feel put upon will back out rapidly.
   


3. Choose the Right Person. Look for the appropriate skills, contacts, resources, dependability, availability and willingness in the person you select. Seek out volunteers, but don't strong arm them.
   


4. Be Realistic. Don't expect volunteers to share your enthusiasm and dedication / commitment. Allow them to contribute to the extent they feel is possible. Don't turn down a once-a-month offer of help because a task needs to be done weekly, just rotate it among four people.


5. Make the Job Manageable. Break it down to the smallest components possible. If you gave a large task to one person, you are creating a "burn-out" situation. There is safety in numbers when any one job doesn't depend on one person. Remember active members usually remain members.


6. Assign A Mentor. Every new volunteer, and every member accepting a new responsibility, needs a mentor to teach them what needs to be done. A mentor can also steer someone who has volunteered for the wrong job to one that suits them better.


7. Mentor Progress. If members are properly oriented, they will be aware of reasonable expectations you have for their progress. Deadlines are much more acceptable of they are stated upfront. Build in time for delays (but don't tell), but don't allow the timetable to fall too far behind. Expand your task force, if needed, before a crisis develops.


8. Have Understudies in the Wings. Illness and other unexpected circumstances are almost certain to cause havoc. Always have someone ready to take over a role so hard work won't go the drain.


9. Stroke Your Volunteers. Recognize their efforts and you will get rewards for the organization. Only through the member's goodwill can you keep them contributing what you and your group need so badly. Thank them privately and publicly. Create a system of rewards and make a ceremony out of the presentation.


10. Let Volunteers Light Shine. It's a great temptation, especially in public situations, to play center stage yourself. It is much more important to put volunteers in the spotlight. Give credit for their ideas and welcome their input -- don't always try and do it your way.


11. Be Courteous. Remembering a volunteer's name and spelling it right is crucial. Keep a list of birthdays and send members a card. Obviously, you can't be everyone's intimate friend, but you can be a caring person.
    
12. Set Limits for Service. Appoint or elect volunteers to specific terms of office. There is a need for fresh blood and new ideas.
    
13. Stress the "Separate but Equal" Theory. Underscore the separate function but equal importance of officers and members. Officers should value and show appreciation for members' efforts and ideas. Members should understand that it is frequently an officer's job to have a task done by a volunteer -- rather than to do the job themselves.

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