RECRUITMENT
What is Recruitment?
Recruitment is the process of inviting or soliciting prospective
members, participants, and/or volunteers to join your organization,
attend programming, and/or assist the leadership. Recruitment is
most effective when there is a formal plan to recruit.
Why is Recruitment Important?
Recruitment is important because it provides structure to how your
organization attracts new people. Some people may join your
organization without having ever been formally invited or
solicited. However, such instances are random and should not be
counted on as the only way to increase membership or seek
volunteers. Instead, a formal recruitment plan should be a primary
process.
resources for RECRUITMENT >
recruitment basics || recruitment strategies || recruitment issues
Recruitment
Basics
When Should We Recruit?
Recruitment should essentially occur throughout the entire year.
Your recruitment plan should consist of two phases:
(1) Orientation week: This specific recruitment drive should focus on new students and upperclassmen refreshed from the summer break and excited for the new year. This drive should extend through the first few weeks after orientation week as well.
(2) Rest of the year: This general recruitment process should focus on students who show interest in your organization through indirect methods like viewing marketing for events or attending actual programs.
Both phases aim to inform students how they can get involved
with your organization. The difference is that the first phase is
more deliberate while the second phase is more indirect. For more
information, click here.
Keys to Strong Recruitment
Although there are a wide variety of reasons why student join
student groups, there are two primary reasons that you are able to
control:
* Benefits: One reason why students may join your organization is because your organization offers them some tangible and/or intangible benefits. Benefits include a sense of belonging, friendship, shared experiences, opportunities to learn particular cultures, opportunities to play a certain sport, etc.[ back to top ]
* Personal connections: Another reason why students may join your organization is because you and your fellow leaders are able to make personal connections with these students. It's easier for someone to join an organization if they know at least one person in the group and/or feel comfortable with the members of the group.
Recruitment Strategies
Recruitment Phases
* Orientation week: This phase should focus on building
relationships so that students feel welcome in your organization
and know what their relationship with your organization offers to
them in terms of benefits. Public relations is the primary way to
build relationships and recruit directly because its general
purpose is image management, which develops positive perceptions of
your organization making it more likely that students may show
interest in joining.
* Rest of the year: This phase should focus on building
impressions so that the general student body is aware of your
organization. Marketing is the primary way to build impressions and
recruit indirectly because its general purpose is to not only raise
awareness of your organization but also make your organizaton and
programs appealing.
Recruitment of Volunteers
Recruitment of volunteers is slightly different from
recruitment of members because volunteers, who are often existing
members, are needed for a specific program or task. Things to
consider when recruiting volunteers:
* Clarity of goals: Be sure to know exactly what you need volunteers for. Students don't like standing around without anything specific to do. Know ahead of time the role and responsibilities of your volunteers.
* Specific number: Be sure to know how many volunteers you will need. If you have more volunteers than you really need, you will have bored volunteers on your hands who may become disenfranchised with your organization.
* Benefits: Be sure to offer your volunteers tangible and/or intangible benefits. Volunteers are often motivated by some sort of benefit.
* Encouragement: Be sure to give your volunteers constant praise and thanks for the work that they do. A special thank you should be given at the end of the program or project that the volunteers worked on.
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Recruitment Issues
Retention
The main issue regarding recruitment is how to retain those
students you recruited. For more detailed discussion of retention,
click here.
Alienation
It is often easy for the leaders or existing members of an
organization to talk with each other and not with new students
attending organizational meetings and programs. One negative
outcome of this unwelcoming environment is a feeling of alienation
from those who already know each other. And as a result of this
alienation, other negative outcomes such as discomfort,
disenfranchisement, and resentment may occur.
- Remember:Conversations
You can talk to your friends any other time so use time at meetings and programs wisely by introducing yourself to new students and helping them feel welcome.
Related to the issue of alienation is the issue of creating conversation. Talking to someone you don't know may be difficult for some people. Regardless, the benefits of these simple conversations are immense because you help create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. So do your best to create conversation with new students. It may feel uncomfortable or weird at first, but its relatively easy once you get over the initial shyness or awkwardness.
On another note, conversations also include talking with your friends who don't regularly participate in your organization. During your spare time, it doesn't hurt to occasionally talk to them about your organization and invite them to a meeting or program. Every little conversation you have about your organization helps in a big way.
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