Carroll Community College

One of the most pressing needs for student organizations is the recruitment of good volunteers. Once those volunteers are recruited, we need to provide them with proper orientation, leadership development and training. 

Volunteer retention is equally as important; likewise, we need to motivate and recognize them.

Review the following for additional information on volunteer recruitment.

Membership Recruitment

To recruit membership, you should understand why people join.  They do so for many reasons:

• meet new friends
• learn new skills
• list it on their resume
• have fun
• personal satisfaction, and have their needs met

Components for a Successful Recruitment Campaign

• Recruitment should be personal - by word of mouth, one-to-one interaction, use of faculty and staff, and creative publicity.
• Recruitment should be systematic - organized, logical, well timed and efficient.
• Recruitment should be specific - identify a target group and their needs and motivation.
• Recruitment should be meaningful - it should fulfill the needs of members and the organization; know what you have to offer.

Recruiting Suggestions

• Talk to friends or people who believe you are interested in your group. You should be cautious with this approach, because it could create a clique.
• Send out or post general notices/brochures advertising your group and requesting students to join.
• Work with your campus newspaper staff to have a feature story on your organization, its members, and activities.
• Suggest each member bring one new member to the next meeting.
• Talk to your adviser. Ask them if they know of interested students.

• If you need students with special talents, contact the appropriate faculty and ask for their advice on potential members.

• Ask students who always attend your events if they are interested in joining your organization.

• Set up recruiting stations in heavily traveled areas.

• Hold an initial meeting that explains the purpose of the group.  Potential members can clearly understand the group and decide if they wish to join the group.

• Follow-up with contacts throughout the recruiting process - it's essential.

• Develop an information packet about your organization and present/explain it to all prospective members.