Searching for good quality volunteers is usually a tough task that has to be taken on to keep non profit animal shelters operating. When interviewing and recruiting new volunteers, make sure you are identifying volunteers that match your desired culture. There are many skills to look for in new volunteers but these five will help you identify the top volunteers who may benefit your animal shelter:
1. Energetic. Top volunteers exude energy and you can feel it just by talking to them. They are the volunteers that are excited about new projects and tasks and can inject energy into other volunteers.
2. Passion. Top volunteers are passionate about the cause you serve. Finding volunteers that are passionate about animal welfare, adoption, and well-being is key to recruiting volunteers that will best suit your animal shelter.
3. Take Direction. Volunteers that excel and do the best for your mission, will be able to take direction when needed from management and experienced volunteers.
4. Leaders. Excellent volunteers will have the ability to lead others to help your overall mission. This may be leading other volunteers in training or members of your community to help in donating, adopting, or sheltering for your animal shelter.
5. They Do What They Say They Will. There is no better volunteer than one that commits and sticks to that commitment. They are the volunteers that show their loyalty and commitment to the cause through their actions and do not bail with last minute excuses.
If you can recruit volunteers with these five qualities, your volunteer team will increase its abilities to educate the community and work to fulfill your animal shelter’s mission and vision. Retention of solid and top volunteers will increase at the same time because their success is reconfirmed with how well the shelter is performing and the number of animals being helped in the community.