Recruiting Student Volunteers

How to Find Volunteer Students

Oct 12, 2007
Estela Kennen

Eager and energetic, students can make wonderful volunteers. Find out how to find volunteers at local high schools and colleges.

Why Students Volunteer

It allows them to build up their resume.
It lets them explore a particular career field, gain experience, and hone skills.
It allows them to feel like they are contributing to their community, or taking responsibility for something.
It sounds fun, challenging and/or important.
Some high schools and colleges (and many honor societies) require community service.

What Students Want out of Volunteering

Responsibility within a supportive structure. They want to explore and see what they're capable of, but need a clear understanding of what is expected of them. They also need to know that there is someone to turn to when they have questions or doubts.
Credit for their hours volunteered. Be willing to sign time logs, etc.
Letters of recommendation for a job well done. You can offer a letter after the student has finished volunteering, or just let them know you'd be happy to write a letter if they need one.

How to Recruit Volunteers

Find out if the school or college has a volunteer office.
Contact the principal or dean and ask for them to make an announcement, or ask for leads to specific people who can help.
See if your nonprofit can take part in the school's volunteer fair or information session.
Contact honor societies.
Talk to specific types of teachers (like science, art, or English) or extracurricular clubs.

Timing Student Recruitment

One thing to keep in mind when contemplating recruiting students is that teachers and administrative staff can be very busy during certain times of the year, and hard to reach at other times. Non-profits should strive to give as much advanced notice as possible about specific volunteer needs, along with reminders regarding any upcoming deadlines. Once relationships with local school officials have formed, things become easier to maintain.

Fostering Continued Commitment

At this time in their life, many people have trouble honoring commitments. Perhaps they underestimate how much they have on their plate, or overestimate how interesting a particular volunteer assignment will be. Perhaps they were simply coerced by parents or the school administration to volunteer, and their heart is not really into it. Help students succeed in their volunteer assignment by having clear attendance expectations.

Schedule on-going volunteer opportunities at the same time every week, or make reminder phone calls for irregular volunteer opportunities.
Have and enforce penalties for unexcused absences. (For instance, after two absences, the volunteer opportunity is revoked).
Reward long-term service (with discounts, books, food, etc).