I think it is well known, more so today than ever before, that a lot of organizations cannot survive without the support of volunteers. It may have been different ten or so years ago when company budgets were sky high and the World was a different place. Many businesses today have had to cut budgets, ensure that employees have more than one role to play in the organization and, more importantly, display they can be a team player. Even so there are gaps in most organizations that cannot be filled by employing more people and offering them a salary.
How do you attract loyal volunteers today?
- Offer benefits to the volunteers such as credibilty, by gaining more exposure for their own small business or charity.
- Complimentary membership, free access to events, valuable connections via introductions, are some ways larger, successful organizations can gain volunteers, without making a dent in their budget.
- Mentorship is an option also, as the volunteers gain valuable business experience on an ongoing basis.
The Small Business Community Network is an example of a successful organization which, without the help of their loyal volunteers, would not be able to sustain the growth and help the SMB's who benefit from the resources offered to them.
One such volunteer is member Nelson Dunk, Skylight Productions: http://www.skylightproductions.ca/. Nelson is a successful SMB and in his own words:
"At Skylight, we believe that HOW you communicate is just as important as WHAT you are communicating. That's why, as a full service video production company, we
produce creative, impacting videos. Whether it is a commercial, promotional, or educational video, we make your video a cinematic experience."
The Small Business Community Network is thrilled to have Nelson on board not only as a loyal member but also as one of the SBCN Ambassadors and official Videographer for our event, the @MarketPlace Conference, http://2012.marketplaceconference.com/.
When you are looking for a particular volunteer for your organizations it is really important to make sure that it's not all about the volunteer role you need to be filled, but more about the volunteer and how you can help them move forward in some way.
The SBCN is proud and grateful to have such wonderful volunteers as Nelson Dunk support us and we appreciate all the work our volunteers do.
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