Nine Tips for Recruiting Volunteers Without Nagging

When it comes time to recruit volunteers, try to avoid phrases like, "it's your duty," or "club members are expected to do (x) hours of trailwork per year." An appeal based on guilt might work once, but the long-term cost of nagging outweighs its value. Here are some tips for inspiring volunteers to join the party, without having to use the guilt stick.

1. Celebrate good times, come on! Kool and the Gang said it best. Be creative with prizes, food, location, themed days, even costumes -volunteers will be plentiful if your events are dynamic and disco.
2. Host regular group rides. Isn't riding why we advocate for trails in the first place? Host regular rides that are purely social and you'll likely see the same riders come out for workdays.
3. Look outside the usual suspects. Approach chambers, youth groups, conservation corps, scout troops, environmental groups and other do-gooders to pitch in with your projects. Not all volunteers have to be riders. Check out volunteermatch.org [link to and the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps to find other partners.
4. Chunk it down. Divide volunteer projects into bite-sized chunks and make it easy for people to volunteer a little of their time. One IMBA club posts volunteer projects based on time commitment: "If you can donate half a day, help us with this project; if you have a few hours, try this one," and so on.
5. Take it to the people. Host a pancake breakfast or bratwurst feed at the most popular trailhead in town. Fix flats, pass out patch kits or offer energy bars - highly visible efforts to find new club members and volunteers will bring results.
6. Use propaganda. People lead busy lives - often your club event isn't on their radar screens. One club passes out laminated business cards that feature their workday schedule.
7. People like to be asked. Simply asking new people to join, attend, or get involved is often all it takes to bring them into the fold. We all want to be part of something big and have a sense of community - your group can offer that.
8. Publicize, publicize, publicize. It is impossible to over-promote your activities. Not only should you advertise upcoming events, afterward you should post pictures and a summary of what was accomplished on your website. Send an account to the local paper. No one likes to miss out, and if they see pictures from the event of the year, they are more likely to attend the next one.
9. Give awards. Consider holding an event that celebrates your club's most important resource - its members - and all things you've accomplished together.