Journeys, June 2015, Volunteers
Recruiting, Training and Retaining Great Volunteers
Concurrent Session, Thursday, June 18
Recruiting
Christian Heaven, Newark Airport
3 steps
- Recognize the obstacles to recruiting – at Newark it is the hours and transportation issues
- Stress the positives – what do you sell to make the job attractive
- Do outreach – target the type of recruits you are seeking
Areas of Newark outreach
- Colleges and their job fairs
- Now have 6 students
- Post on United Way, RSVP boards, Craig’s List
- Recruiting at senior centers has not been successful
Idea Sharing:
- Seek out airport/av geeks and retired airline employees
- Provide volunteers with business cards, useful in volunteer- to-volunteer recruitment – best source of new volunteers
- Use social media
Training
Cliff Heady, Dulles Airport, Volunteer
Presentation: https://bit.ly/1QS29KU
3 steps
- Prospective volunteer interviewed by a group of volunteers, staff
- Orientation and airport tour
- Shadowing process – until they feel comfortable
Idea Sharing:
- Inland Empire – Once training is completed – volunteer graduation ceremony with vest, pin, treats for all present
Retaining Volunteers
Lisa Fitzpatrick, Reagan Airport, Volunteer
Bottom line – Keep them happy with other social activities and recognitions
Idea Sharing:
- Staff should visit every volunteer on every shift
- Keep volunteers informed – they like the scoop of what is going on behind the scenes at the airport, the more information they have the better they can perform
- Promote volunteers for airport recognition events – WMAA’s Gem awards
Other conversations:
- Develop a Chat Room for TA members to talk with each other on pending topics
- Educate the “Airport Family” on our role and what we do