1. Recruitment – by Euradiponet
Recruitment framework
Preamble
The project aims to develop a Framework about the recruitment, the retention and the recognition
of volunteers in the field of health and social care.
This framework wants to provide methods and techniques that show results superior to those
achieved up to now with other means , and that can be used as a benchmark.
At the end of the project, we are able to present some good practices thanks to a lot of
comparisons among the theoretical researches and the practical strategies adopted by the partner
associations involved in the project.
Besides we collected and analysed some good practices carried out by 21 active associations in
social care and health.
How to attract and recruit volunteers
We can identify two different main phases in the recruitment process.
The first phase.- The organization should spread all the possible information about the association
in the community to alert people to what the organization is doing and how they can help.
How/where:
by word of mouth (if the volunteers enjoy their work, they will tell their friends);
on occasion of special events organized by associations;
by local press, local radio and TV;
by posters fastened in the local volunteer centers and public offices;
by the internet (especially for young people);
in volunteer association offices;
in work places and schools.
The second phase.-Find out what motivates people to be a volunteer.
Volunteers Selection should be done on a base of good balance between volunteer expectations
and their possible roles. is about ensuring a good match between the volunteer and the role
description.
Types of selection procedure include:
Interviews with some members of staff and some volunteers
Informal chatting
Application form
Formal or informal interviews are necessary to
estimate and take into consideration the potential volunteer skills, attitudes and motivations, as
well as giving him clear information about the organisation, the role and what is expected from
volunteers.
The more the degree of responsibility a volunteer will have, the more detailed and in-depth the
selection process should be.
Successful organisations recognise this and go the extra mile to ensure that they match the
volunteer to the role, taking account of their needs and interests, not just what the organisation
needs.
During the recruitment the management should bear in mind what do volunteers want and need:
•the opportunities of roles;

2. •a welcoming and efficient recruitment process;
•induction;
•training that meets the needs of the role & the volunteer;
•a well-organised but flexible workplace;
•to be valued;
• to learn new skills or make use of skills they already have;
•to develop confidence or self-worth;
•to meet new people and have fun;
•insurance cover for volunteers.