Volunteers: Recruitment and Maintenance

by Marti Austin, Crim Festival Youth Coordinator for Running USA Youth Programs Workshop

I.  Recruitment

A.  Word of mouth

B.   Personal contacts

C.   Letters

D.   Returns

II.  Training/Background Checks

A.   Mandatory Meeting

1.  New coaches/Mileage Club Coordinators

2.  Returning coaches/Mileage Club Coordinators

3.  File box per coach

a.  Manual

b.  First Aid Kit

c.  Whistle

d.  Stop watch

B.   Background checks/Credibility

1.  State Police on-line access

2.  Fingerprinting

3.  Club/school visitation by staff

4.  Summer clubs must have coach and co-coach

III.  Rewarding coaches/teachers

A.  Wrap-up Meeting

1.  Meal/ sharing/ door prizes

B.   Identification with organization

C.   Successes/self fulfillment

D.   Personal affirmation

1.  Letters/emails/memos

2.  Christmas cards