How do I recruit volunteers? Do's and don'ts for a good advertisement.

You are looking for a volunteer on the Oosterhoutvoorelkaar website. An attractive advertisement contributes to a successful match. With the tips below, you increase your chance of success!

Do's for a good advertisement

• Write a short title of max 45 characters. Try to get attention with this. Example: you are looking for someone to maintain the garden. The title can then read, for example, “green fingers and looking for contact?”. That sounds very different from "garden volunteer wanted".
• Start by briefly introducing yourself/your organization. A volunteer wants to know who he is dealing with.
• State the reason why you are seeking help. Briefly and clearly describe the activities for which you need help.
• Indicate what the volunteer will earn. For example: nice colleagues, social contacts, a good feeling when you make others happy… etc.
• Indicate clearly what quality(s) you expect from the volunteer, how much time it will take and when. For example: You have experience in dealing with the elderly, you are a good listener, you are patient. Or you are eager to learn and you can think outside the box. (Depending on the type of request for help). And we expect you to be available to us for about 3 hours a week. In mutual consultation we discuss on which day.
• Finally, provide clear contact details and respond as soon as possible if you receive a response.

Don't...

• Avoid the word volunteer in the title. Anyone who searches the OVE website for a request for help already knows that it concerns voluntary work.
• Do not use folder language when describing your organization, but say it in your own words. You can of course refer to a website.
• When describing the job, remember that the person you're looking for is a volunteer and not looking for a full-time job. Make sure your ad doesn't resemble a complete job description. Unless of course you are looking for a full-time volunteer. But say that clearly and explain why it can't be a job.
• Don't wait too long to respond. Nothing demotivates worse.