I don't know if these fall into the "usual" category, but we've seen tremendous success from many websites such as http://www.allforgood.org/; http://www.serve.gov/; and http://www.volunteermatch.org/. I would also recommend using or connecting with groups through social media particularly Twitter (@VolunteerMatch <http://twitter.com/volunteermatch>, @ServeDotGov<http://twitter.com/servedotgov>, @All_for_Good <http://twitter.com/all_for_good>). We've also contacted local schools, charity organizations and churches to find eligible candidates. Good luck. On Wed, Feb 2, 2011 at 2:38 PM, Aderman, Ella <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > I would second the approach for making the “job descriptions” as specific > as possible if you can identify projects with the skills that people might > have. For instance, we got a great response when we let it be known that we > wanted skilled people to sew repro period clothing, than had a couple of > sewing bees. People came to learn, and share their skills with others and > we now have a core group of ladies & one gentleman who can sew just about > anything we need. > > > > Also when we had a particularly challenging hands-on activity that we > wanted, we posted “volunteer opportunities” on our web site for people with > mechanical or engineering background to help us work out what to do. We got > a retired machinist who I think is having fun applying his skills in a new > way. Ditto for carpentry projects, gardening, and retired educators. > > > > Ella Aderman > > Site Supervisor > > Pennypacker mills > > www.historicsites.montcopa.org > > > > > ------------------------------ > > *From:* Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] *On > Behalf Of *Tamara Lange > *Sent:* Wednesday, February 02, 2011 2:18 PM > > *To:* [log in to unmask] > *Subject:* Re: [MUSEUM-L] Where to get volunteers? > > > > I would second working with local businesses, especially any that have a > volunteer program where people give a few hours of time (often work time) to > the community. We also have a large contingent of retired educators who > work with the Museum on our education programs. > > > > My other thought relates to the idea of making postings "interesting." > Even though it is tempting to offer up opportunities that are wide ranging, > I am finding that many of my most positive responses have been to fairly > targeted volunteer opportunities, rather than very open ended > advertisements. Perhaps more so than making a posting interesting, it is > making several postings that would appeal to different personalities / > interests. > > > > All that being said, I think word of mouth is one of the most successful > recruitment tools available. Perhaps have a "Bring a Friend" event that > invites current volunteers to bring a friend they feel might be interested n > helping out in some way. > > > > Tamara > > > Sent from my iPad > > > On Feb 2, 2011, at 6:53 AM, las <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > I know this question is probably one of the 6 questions that gets > recycled all the time, but I could use your (great) input regarding what you > have used as effective resources for getting volunteers. I am a curator at > a history museum where we staff the permanat gallery with volunteers at the > reception desk near the front door for 4 hour shifts, each committ to once a > week. Many love that time that they use for themselves to read, write, > do follow up study notes on "last night's bible study" or their homework. > Others like us to give them work to do from the archives upstairs. Either > way, it's an important job, though not always the most exciting because > anyone who walks in the door must see this person first. Part concierge, > part security, part museum gift shop sales "employee," part basic "tour > guide." We have used the usual resources and I need some fresh ideas. Can > you help? > > > > Best, > > Laurie > > ========================================================= Important > Subscriber Information: > > The Museum-L FAQ file is located at > <http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/> > http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed > information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message > to <[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask] . The body > of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). > > If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to > <[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask] . The body of > the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). > > ========================================================= Important > Subscriber Information: > > The Museum-L FAQ file is located at > http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed > information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message > to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read > "help" (without the quotes). > > If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to > [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read > "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). > ========================================================= Important > Subscriber Information: > > The Museum-L FAQ file is located at > http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed > information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message > to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read > "help" (without the quotes). > > If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to > [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read > "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). > > ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).