Community Service Is a Volunteer Recruitment Tool
According to the Values of Americans Study, the majority of Americans value helping others. In fact, our research reveals that each of our volunteers has participated in an average of 40 community service projects—ranging from food and clothing collection to planting trees and picking up trash in local parks—since becoming a Scout volunteer.
How can you use this information to recruit volunteers? Share the information available at the data collection section of the Good Turn for America Web site (www.goodturnforamerica.org). Tell prospective volunteers exactly what service projects your units are conducting. Use this information to demonstrate the benefit of Scouting within your community—by project, by service hours, by cost savings to the community (number of service hours multiplied by $17.55, the hourly value of volunteer time according to Independent Sector, a coalition of nonprofits, foundations, and corporations).
Present the data at chartered organization and community association meetings to recruit new volunteers. Ask key volunteers to serve as table hosts to talk about their involvement in Scouting. Remember, our volunteers are our greatest asset. Enthusiasm and excitement about Scouting spread when we create opportunities that enable them to describe their experiences and the benefits of volunteering with prospective volunteers.