November/December 2024 - 10

How to retain volunteers
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The following efforts should be considered:
Support your volunteers. This entails clearly
explaining how to fill their role, and answering all
of their questions. It can also be as simple as stepping
in to handle an irate, or unreasonable person at the
ticket booth so that they don't have to take the abuse.
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Personally step in and do little things to help
make their job easier if possible. Perhaps you
can help lift a table in place, pick up some trash around
the refreshment stand, or carry a few items to their car
after a game.
Always say " Thank you! " And don't be afraid of
doing so repeatedly. Remember, these
individuals are giving of themselves and they could be
doing other things.
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however, do you look for to identify and recruit individuals
who might serve as volunteers? Consider the following:
* Be aware of teachers, booster clubs, and
community members who may have unique skills
or interests that you can use. You may have, for
example, a parent who is good with technology
and also has a modicum of writing ability. This
individual could put your seasonal or awards
evening program together. On the other hand,
perhaps you have a community member with a
marketing or fundraising background that you can
tap into for ideas and assistance.
* Simply network. Spread the word with your booster
club, parent-teacher association, alumni association,
or civic groups in the community, and detail what
specific positions you need help with. If you need
ticket sellers, this might be perfect for a former
athlete or retiree who may view this as a way to stay
involved or connected. But a potential volunteer first
has to know that there is a need!
* In addition, post volunteer opportunities on your
websites and social media. This step goes beyond
networking, and these mediums can be invaluable
getting the word out how you may need help and
how individuals can help.
Once you identify individuals who are willing to serve in a
volunteer capacity, the next step is how to effectively use
and retain them. This may be more difficult than the initial
Appreciate the time and effort that volunteers
provide to your program by providing them with
team wear if at all possible. Quite often, these
individuals will wear these items with great pride.
Also provide a hot dog, soda, or similar items at
a game as a small token of your appreciation.
List names of all volunteers in every program, on
your web and social media sites, on bulletin
boards in the school's or gymnasium's lobby, and
anywhere possible.
Publicly mention the names of your volunteers at
booster and civic club meetings, awards
evenings, and any time you are addressing members of
the school community.
effort of finding them. It is relatively easy to understand that
you need ticket sellers, score clock operators, and helpers at
the refreshment stand. Also, you can tap into community
members with technology, marketing, and fundraising
expertise. What else could someone contribute?
* While major repairs to your ticket booth, press box,
and dugouts will likely require district personnel or
contractors, there are some small items that
volunteers could tackle. They could, for example,
paint the doors to the equipment room, the goal
posts, or the baseball or softball foul poles.
* Parents could organize and supply drinks for teams
at halftime and post-game, and this routinely
happens in many schools.
* Teachers or parents can serve as videographers
and tape games, and also film opponents for
scouting purposes.
Basically, think creatively. Analyze what needs to be
done, and who can help to decrease some of the time and
effort. What can make things a little easier for you? Once
your volunteers are on board, however, you will want to
retain them.
In many settings, volunteers are essential for the smooth
operation of the athletic program. Athletic administrators
will be more successful when they put together protocols
and guidelines for these individuals, learn to identify school
and community members with valuable skill sets, and
support and show appreciation to these contributors.
10 COACH & A.D. | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024
November/December 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November/December 2024
