{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"","standfirst":"What\u2019s the best way to keep the momentum going and converting that enthusiasm and initial interest into a longer term commitment?","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/20811/db-20230508-4833-95018.jpg","width":3000,"height":2000,"altText":"Volunteers and children","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E1. Say thank you:\u003C/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;It\u2019s so simple but so important. Make a point of sending a note (even better if it\u2019s handwritten) to thank them for their contribution or expression of interest.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2. Respond quickly: \u003C/strong\u003EIf someone has said they\u2019d be interested in knowing more about our volunteering opportunities, then make sure you get back to them within 48 hours. There\u2019s lots of choice available to people who want to volunteer and we may miss out if we don\u2019t act quickly.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E3. Be friendly and positive:\u003C/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;These early conversations really matter. They set the tone when people are trying to work out what sort of organisation we are. Be conversational, helpful and supportive. Talk about the great choice they\u2019ve made and the exciting journey they\u2019re about to go on.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4. Be volunteer-centric: \u003C/strong\u003EKeep the focus on the volunteer, listen carefully and try to avoid the temptation to talk too much about how we work as a movement.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E5. Ask questions before suggesting a role or section:\u0026nbsp;\u003C/strong\u003EIt\u2019s vital we find out as much as we can about the potential volunteer. Would they prefer a behind the scenes role, rather than delivering activities to young people? Would they prefer to work with Squirrels or Explorers? Trying to shoehorn someone into a role that isn\u2019t right for them won\u2019t work in the long term.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E6. Use plain English and avoid confusing terms and acronyms: \u003C/strong\u003EIt\u2019s easy to slip into \u2018Scout-speak\u2019 that can be baffling to those new to Scouts. Take a look at our guidelines on \u003Cspan\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://prod-cms.scouts.org.uk/media/20079/scouts-brand-guidelines-feb-2023-final.pdf\u0022\u003Ehow we talk\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E7. Don\u2019t bombard them with too much information: \u003C/strong\u003EOnly tell them what they need to know. At this stage, they don\u2019t need to know every one of our rules, or every part of our training scheme. It\u2019s easy to put someone off by overwhelming them with too much too soon.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E8. Share what you enjoy about volunteering for Scouts: \u003C/strong\u003EPeople respond to people and hearing about your positive experiences will really help give them a sense.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E9. Outline the next steps: \u003C/strong\u003EExplain clearly what will happen over the \u003Cspan\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteer/welcome-to-scouts/your-first-months-of-volunteering/\u0022\u003Enext few days, weeks and months\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/span\u003E. Be reassuring, honest and manage their expectations. Direct them to our \u003Cspan\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteer/welcome-to-scouts/\u0022\u003Ewelcome pages\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/span\u003E which will give them a good overview of who we are and what we do.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E10. Stay in touch: \u003C/strong\u003EMake a note to check in on them to make sure they\u2019re being properly supported and not left in the dark. All this will help them feel they\u2019re joining a team that really cares.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"09 May 2023","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Find out more about growing Scouts","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/growing-scouts/","newWindow":true}],"relatedLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Our advice on starting a new section","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/growing-scouts/starting-a-new-section/","newWindow":true}],"id":38715,"nodeName":"10 top tips after a recruitment event","title":"10 top tips after a recruitment event","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/20811/db-20230508-4833-95018.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dab82167260f30","caption":"DB 20230508 4833 95018","type":"jpg","size":2572165,"width":3000,"height":2000,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"10 top tips after a recruitment event","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"What\u2019s the best way to keep the momentum going and converting that enthusiasm and initial interest into a longer term commitment?","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC8zODcxNSJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2023/may/10-top-tips-after-a-recruitment-event/"}