Getting people involved
It is not always easy to find committed volunteers – but with the right approach, it can be done. With a clear offer, a good pitch and the right channels, you can reach people who want to get involved.
It helps to put yourself in the shoes of potential volunteers: What do they want to know? What can they experience with you? And why is it worth getting involved in your project?
Get people excited about your project
Imagine you’re looking for a volunteer opportunity yourself. What questions would you have? What would you want to know? For example: What sort of tasks will I be doing? How much time will I need to commit? Who will I be working with? What can I learn or experience?
The answers can vary greatly: a sense of community, new experiences, gaining skills, meaningful tasks or getting involved in a cause that people care deeply about. Talk to interested people about what motivates them and show them what’s possible with you.
That’s how you’ll attract volunteers who are keen to get involved and do so out of a genuine sense of conviction.
Promote your opportunity
You can attract volunteers by placing a free advert in the Volunteer Exchange or the Ehrenamt opportunities directory. This way, you’ll reach people who are actively looking for a suitable volunteering opportunity.
Volunteering Platform
Through the Volunteer Platform run by the City of Stuttgart, you can publish your volunteering opportunity and reach people who are actively looking for a suitable opportunity.
Volunteering Opportunities Board
Through the Caleidoskop Volunteer Centre’s Volunteering Board, you can publicise volunteering opportunities and draw the attention of interested parties to what you have to offer.
To ensure your opportunity is easily found, it should be described clearly and appealingly. Highlight what makes your project special, what tasks volunteers can take on, and why it’s worth getting involved.
If you’re unsure how to describe your opportunity, you can seek advice. The Volunteer Agency and the Caleidoskop Volunteer Centre will help you to formulate tasks, target groups and ways to get involved more clearly.
Tips for organisations and initiatives
It’s easier to find committed volunteers when what you’re offering, how you approach them and the onboarding process are well aligned. The following tips will help you target potential volunteers effectively, use the right channels and prepare well for that first contact.
Further information
Support for Volunteers
Good support helps volunteers settle in well, carry out their duties confidently and contribute their ideas.
Recognition of commitment
Recognition makes it clear that commitment is valued – in everyday life, through personal contact and through special forms of appreciation.
Involvement of committed individuals.
Involvement means keeping committed individuals informed, seeking their feedback and involving them where decisions or developments affect their commitment.
w!n – The Volunteer Agency’s magazine
The volunteer editorial team reports on new, tried-and-tested and surprising ways to get involved – with the aim of inspiring the people of Stuttgart to take up voluntary work.
Being prepared: Winning motivated people
Volunteers are more likely to accept an offer if they understand what to expect. Clear tasks, realistic timeframes, a designated contact person and a smooth start are often just as important as the advert itself.
On our website, you’ll find plenty more information to help you with this: from describing your opportunity and public relations to supporting, involving and recognising volunteers.
Enjoy exploring!
Get your bearings quickly
Here you’ll find the most important information for