Transcript Mentor and Volunteer Retention

Mentor and Volunteer
April
8th
Retention
10:30
am
Staff Webinar
This webinar will provide insights and allow
agency staff to share and learn ways to
appreciate and retain their volunteers
To Register: [email protected]
Or: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2905956812662938626
WHY AREN’T PEOPLE AS
COMMITTED?
Today’s Objectives

Why do people mentor?

Why do they stop mentoring?

How can we get our mentors to stay?

Understanding motivations

The new breed of volunteers

Other skills to apply
VOLUNTEER RETENTION IS
AN OUTCOME, NOT A TASK
Mentoring Resource Center
Why do people Mentor?
What motivates individuals to sign up?

Wide variety of reasons



Give back
Meet others
Gain prestige
Do you ask them? Is it recorded?
Why do they stop mentoring?


Significant change in personal circumstance
Dissatisfaction of the experience








Organization not well managed
Lack of training
Lack of clarity about roles/responsibilities
Lack of support or supervision
Believe they are being ineffective
Mentees show a lack of appreciation
The personal investment exceeds their expectations
Feel burdened or overwhelmed by youth’s needs
How do we get them to stay?
Formal recognition is one of the least
significant reasons for a mentor to stay

Help them feel confident

Match the experience with their needs

Let them know and help them identify the
benefits
The New Breed

Times have changed…

3 levels of motivation

What they want

Managing

Make them happy
It all starts with Recruitment

Be real

Use your powers to sell all aspects of the program

Needs to focus on a variety of motivations

Take it slow…

Mentor
Once they are interested
After recruitment: Job is still not done…

Make them feel welcome

Screening process is a chance for them to
screen the agency as well

Orientation and training is vitally important
Getting them going

Be Clear

Build their confidence

Instill a sense of belonging and investment


Strongest predictor of commitment: investment
Need to see the benefits
Checking in

What’s your agency’s policy?

Some things to ask








How is your match going?
How do you feel about being a mentor?
What kind of things do you do together?
How do you decide what activities you do together?
Tell me about your last meeting with your mentee.
Tell me what you think your challenge is right now.
What would help you and your mentee to succeed in your
relationship?
What else should we be aware of?
Keeping them involved

Ongoing Support

Meet their needs

Align expectations with experiences

Highlight their progress

Recognition
Prepare them for transitions

Developmental stages

School Transitions

Home transitions

Summer time
Using those Skills







Customer service
Communication
Reframing
Recognition and praise
Coaching
Confidence
Evaluation
The National Webinar

The National Mentor Partnership

Mentoring.org

Going the Distance: New Insights on
Mentor Retention

Thursday, April 17th 1-2:15p
Contact
Jessica Karr
770-6000 ext. 120
[email protected]
IRMentorCollaborative.org
References
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Stukas, A. A., Clary, G., Snyder, H. (2014) Mentor recruitment and retention. In Dubois, D. L. & Kracher, M. J.
(Eds). Handbook for youth mentoring (p397-409). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
McKee, J. & McKee, T. W. (2012). The New breed of volunteers: Understanding and equipping the 21st century
volunteer 2nd ed.
Fader, S. (2010). 365 ideas for recruiting, retaining, motivating and rewards your volunteers: A complete guide
nonprofit Organizations. Atlantic Publishing Group
Rhodes, J. (2006). Research corner: Strategies for recruiting and retaining volunteers. National Mentoring
Partnership
Papadakis, K., Griffin, T., Frater, J. (2004). Understanding volunteers’ motivations. Proceedings from the 2004
Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium.
Caldarell, P., Gomm, R. J., Shatzer, R. H., Wall, D. G. (2010). School based mentoring: A study of
understanding volunteer motivations and benefits. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education. 2
(2).
Mentoring Resource Center. (2006) Mentoring fact sheet: Volunteer motivation and mentor retention. U. S.
Department of Education
Yoshioka, C. F., Brown, W.A., Ashcraft, R. F. (2007). A functional approach to senior volunteer and nonvolunteer motivations. The International Journal of Volunteer Administration. 24(5)
Mentoring Resource Center. (2009). Fact Sheet: More than saying thank you: Comprehensive approaches to
mentor retention. U. S. Department of Education
Relationship development Checklist: How often should my program check in with their mentors? The Mentoring
Partnership of Southwestern PA
Mentor Resource Center. (2008). Keeping matches in touch over the summer months. U. S. Department of
Education