Field Problem: Motivating & Recognizing Volunteers

Dear, Field Problems:

I was tasked with starting a Soldier and Family Readiness Group from “scratch.” Do you have any suggestions on how to get, keep, motivate, and recognize our volunteers?

Joanne; Fort Bliss, TX; Active Duty Army

Dear, Joanne:

How about that for a loaded question? We think we can help you. Let’s start with getting the volunteers which can be the biggest challenge.

Find Volunteers

The Army is no stranger to the volunteer workforce. At some point in your Army “career” we can bet that you either volunteer or get violin”told” (as we call it), to do something. While we believe that voluntold has its place, it’s probably not best in the SFRG. We believe personal contact is the best method of getting people to help. Most people will tell you the reason they didn’t volunteer was because no one asked. Make a clear list of what positions you have to fill and what jobs you need done. Set out to fill those jobs with personal invitations. Be honest about the responsibilities of the position, and treat the service as an opportunity for growth. If your unit is new, as you say, you may have to hold some sort of social gathering before you start to fill positions so you have an opportunity to meet people and find out more about them.

Motivate volunteers

Once you build your team of volunteers, keeping them and motivating them should be fairly easy if you use thse few suggestions. Provide them meaningful work. Be truthful, consistent, and make sure they know what to expect from you. Don’t waste their time. Show them respect and don’t require anything from them that you cannot enforce. Provide them with clear instructions and the tools to get the job done as expected. Accept their recommendations and take their advice. Make sure that they understand their opinion matters. Provide them training and opportunities for leadership advancement. Show them appreciation.

Showing appreciation

So how do you show them appreciation? Here are some general ideas to get you started:

• Public praise

• Newsletter articles featuring their families

• Thank you notes

• Special luncheons or parties in their honor

• Announcements or bulletin board praise

• Certificates of appreciation

You can also get really creative and come up with some really fun ideas. Best of luck and thank you for accepting the challenge to keep our military families closely connected.