How to Create Successful Volunteer Committees

Looking for new ways to engage with volunteers? Consider creating volunteer committee opportunities! A volunteer committee is a group of individuals who work together to achieve a specific goal or set of goals. Committees form to support specific initiatives or events and can include employees and volunteers. The goal of volunteer committees is to bring together people with diverse skills and perspectives to work collaboratively toward a common goal. The success of volunteer committees often depends on the leadership, communication, and organization of the group, as well as the dedication and engagement of its members.

Here are some tips you can take to set up your volunteer committees for success:

• Outline what the committee is responsible for, what its objectives are, and how you will measure success. This will help ensure everyone is working towards the same goal.
• Look for volunteers who are passionate about the cause and have the skills and experience needed to contribute effectively to the committee. Encourage a mix of people with different backgrounds, skills, and experiences to join the committee. Diversity in ages, worldviews, and more ensures a variety of perspectives and ideas are represented in the work.
• Make sure each volunteer knows what their role is and what the expectations are. This can help prevent confusion and ensure everyone is working efficiently. Find out what each volunteer is passionate about and what skills they bring to the table. Assign tasks and responsibilities based on these strengths to keep volunteers engaged and motivated.
• Establish clear rules and guidelines for committee meetings, decision-making processes, and communication protocols. This will help ensure the committee runs smoothly and everyone is on the same page.

Keep reading for more tips to help with your volunteer committees!

• Regular communication is key to keeping volunteers engaged and informed. This can include weekly or monthly meetings, email updates, and one-on-one conversations. Foster open and effective communication among volunteers to ensure everyone feels heard and valued. Encourage volunteers to share their ideas and collaborate on projects.
• Encourage volunteers to share their thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for improvement. This will help you identify any challenges or issues and make changes to ensure the committee is running effectively.
• Show appreciation for the hard work and dedication of your volunteers. This can include things like public recognition, gifts, and opportunities for professional development. You can provide opportunities for personal and professional development through training, workshops, or other opportunities for volunteers to learn new skills, network, and grow professionally. This will help keep volunteers engaged and motivated.
• As a leader of the committee, it is important to lead by example and set a positive tone for the group. Be enthusiastic, supportive, and respectful of all volunteers, and encourage others to do the same. Be open to feedback and willing to make changes to engage volunteers better. Be flexible and adaptable in your approach to ensure volunteers feel supported and valued.

Types of Volunteer Committees

Committees can serve a variety of purposes in different organizations and can take on many different forms. Consequently, there are many types of volunteer committees, and here we outline the three common types.

Standing committees:

These volunteer committees are permanent and ongoing and are responsible for specific ongoing tasks, such as overseeing the budget or managing a particular program. Most often, a standing committee will be a part of the work of the board of directors.

Examples of Standing Committees 

• Finance Committee: This committee oversees the nonprofit’s budget, manages financial resources, and develops financial policies and procedures.
• Fundraising Committee: This committee is responsible for developing and implementing fundraising strategies, organizing fundraising events, and building relationships with donors.
• Marketing and Outreach Committee: This committee is responsible for promoting the organization and its mission to the public, managing its website and social media, and developing marketing materials.
• Programs and Services Committee: This committee oversees the delivery of the organization’s programs and services, evaluates their effectiveness, and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Volunteer Committee: This committee recruits and manages volunteers, provides training and support, and recognizes volunteer contributions.
• Board Development Committee: This committee is responsible for recruiting and developing new board members, evaluating the performance of current board members, and ensuring the board’s effectiveness as a whole.
• Nominating Committee: This committee is responsible for selecting candidates for open positions on the board of directors and ensuring the selection process is fair and transparent.

Ad-hoc committees:

These temporary committees form to address a specific issue or event. Ad-hoc committees disband once their task is complete.

Examples of Ad-Hoc Committees

• An Event Planning Committee helps to plan and organize a specific event, such as a fundraising gala, community fair, or charity walk. Looking for tips on ways to engage volunteers at busy events? We got you covered.
• A Strategic Planning Committee develops a long-term strategic plan for a nonprofit and may include representatives from different departments or areas of the organization.
• A Crisis Management Committee responds to a crisis or emergency situation, such as a natural disaster or public health emergency, to coordinate an effective and prompt response.
• A Technology Upgrade Committee evaluates and recommends upgrades to the nonprofit’s technology infrastructure, such as hardware, software, and networks.
• A Building Expansion Committee plans and oversees the expansion of an organization’s facilities, such as a new office building or community center.
• A Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee develops and implements policies and programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization and its programs.

Sub-committees:

These committees are subgroups within a larger committee and are responsible for specific tasks or projects. They can be permanent or temporary, depending on the needs of the nonprofit.

Examples of Sub-Committees 

• Budget Sub-Committee: This may be formed within a finance committee to review and make recommendations on specific aspects of the organization’s budget, such as personnel or operating expenses.
• Grant Writing Sub-Committee: This may exist within a broader fundraising committee to research and write grant proposals and to follow up on grant applications.
• Public Relations Sub-Committee: Your marketing and outreach committee could develop a small group specifically to develop and implement specific public relations campaigns, such as media relations or community outreach campaigns.
• Program Evaluation Sub-Committee: This could be formed within a programs and services committee to evaluate the effectiveness of specific programs and to make recommendations for improvement.

There are so many options for volunteer sub-committees; keep reading to get even more ideas!

• Volunteer Recruitment Sub-Committee: This group within your volunteer program committee could focus on recruiting volunteers for specific projects or events and develop and implement volunteer recruitment strategies.
• Board Development Sub-Committee: Your board development committee could want to focus on specific aspects of board development, such as recruiting new members or evaluating the performance of current members.
• Advisory committees: These groups provide advice and recommendations to the larger organization or governing body but do not have decision-making power.
• Task forces: These committees are similar to ad-hoc committees but are focused on a specific task and typically have a defined timeline for completion.

Each type of committee serves a different purpose and has a different structure. But all aim to bring people together to work toward a common goal. The type of committee that is right for your work will depend on the needs and goals of the nonprofit and event.

Recruiting for Volunteer Committees

Recruiting volunteers for committees can be a challenge, but there are several strategies that can be effective in attracting and retaining volunteers.

Before recruiting volunteers, it is important to have a clear understanding of what the committee is responsible for and to communicate this clearly to potential volunteers. This can help to attract volunteers who are passionate about the committee’s goals and who are a good fit for the committee’s tasks.

IMPORTANT

• Communicate the expected start and end of the committee. Is this a term-limited position? Is the committee an ad-hoc volunteer committee? People have busy lives and need to know expectations to plan accordingly.
• Communicate when and where meetings are. Will there be childcare available? Food? These are very important for working families. Set a schedule for committee meetings and have calendar invites for all of them.
• Is there a fundraising goal for sitting on the committee? Be clear about that upfront. 
• Are there tasks to do outside of the scheduled meetings? Be clear about deadlines. 

Your network of contacts can be a valuable resource for recruiting volunteers. This can include friends, family, co-workers, and community members. Don’t forget to contact any companies who have volunteered with your nonprofit! Their staff may be the perfect fit. And with the volunteer committee work, you may see even more engagement over time. Volunteer committee work could also be an excellent opportunity for your current volunteers to learn new skills. Ask them!

QUICK TIP

Make sure to be genuine when you ask for volunteers, like “Hey Stephanie, I think you’re really great at interacting with food pantry clients and keeping things organized. Would you be interested in serving on the committee for our fundraising event in November?”

Social media and online platforms can be powerful tools for reaching a large audience and recruiting volunteers. This can include posting about the committee on your organization’s website, social media platforms, and online forums. In addition, use a Volunteer Management System and see even more involvement!

Providing training and support to volunteers is essential to help them feel confident and capable in their roles. This can include regular meetings, training sessions, and access to resources and support.

A positive and supportive culture within the committee can be a critical factor in attracting and retaining volunteers. This can include encouraging open communication, valuing diverse perspectives, and recognizing and celebrating the contributions of volunteers.

Using these strategies can increase the likelihood of attracting and retaining volunteer committee members. Remember, volunteering is a two-way relationship, and it is essential to provide volunteers with the support and resources they need to be successful in their roles.

🧡 what you just read? Be sure to subscribe to the Good POINT Blog using the form below👇 or share our post with your colleagues! Are you curious how POINT can level up your volunteer program? Book a free, live demo with our team!