Make It Fun: Volunteering Handbook Ch2

Chapter 2: Make it Fun

From: The Practical Volunteering Handbook for School and Club Volunteers

Volunteering is an essential part of community building and fundraising efforts, but it doesn't have to be dull. While some people will volunteer because they believe it’s the right thing to do, many more will volunteer because it’s fun. Building connections is fundamental to being human, so it needs to be at the heart of how you organise your volunteering opportunities whenever possible.

Make Volunteering Fun

People are more likely to volunteer when they find the experience enjoyable and rewarding. This means thinking outside the box and ensuring that your volunteer activities are engaging and fun. It’s not just about filling time slots; it’s about creating meaningful and enjoyable experiences that people want to be a part of. The key to making volunteering fun is to integrate elements of enjoyment and connection into every aspect of your activities.

Committee Meetings: Energised and Productive

Committee meetings are a fact of volunteer life in school and club committees – after all, we need the constant cycle of collaboration, planning, debrief, rinse, repeat. However, these meetings often get a bad rap for being ‘information overload’ and going around in circles. So, how can we make committee meetings more interesting and productive? Here are some hacks to keep things energised and on task.

Hack 1: Make It Interesting

You don’t need to turn up with a fruit bowl on your head, but you do need to consider what is on the agenda. Does it matter, I mean really matter? Have you noticed that when there’s a serious issue on the agenda, you get more people to turn up?

Think deeply about what is affecting your group and allow time for some discussion. Everyone wants to feel they are making a contribution. Should you allow girls to wear pants as part of their uniform? Do you allow students to use the playground before and after school? Should you ask your club members about ideas for reducing fees? Discuss these real issues to engage your members more deeply.

Hack 2: Catering

You can’t go wrong with food. It makes everything better. Meetings after hours may warrant a platter or two of nibbles. While a morning meeting might see tea, coffee, and biscuits set out. Over lunch, a tray of sandwiches might be fuel for meeting productivity! Oh, and chocolate, because… chocolate.

Hack 3: Getting to Know You

Committees are often seen by ‘outsiders’ as being cliquey. New members can feel intimidated if they don’t know anyone. Make sure you are nice to EVERYONE that takes the time to attend your meetings.

New members are a precious treasure. Don’t let them go without a warm welcome and a couple of questions like ‘what brought you along’ and ‘how good are you with an Excel spreadsheet’. Set aside the first few minutes of your meeting for everyone to introduce themselves and bring some familiarity to the group.

Hack 4: Send Reminders of Meetings and Pre-circulate the Boring Stuff

Alert people to upcoming committee meetings and save time at your meeting by tabling relevant documents (agenda people!) in advance. These can include minutes from the previous meeting, subcommittee and treasurer’s reports, and possibly the principal’s report. This will let you quickly accept these documents and move on without having to wait for attendees to read everything on the spot.

Hack 5: Guest Speaker/Presentation

Add a little bit of interest and invite a guest to speak to the group. A business leader or community member who can give advice on something your group is doing might add that injection of enthusiasm for your group to get motivated about a current or upcoming project. Another idea may be for one of your members to put together a digital presentation to highlight an event or idea for your group or even a wishlist project.

Hack 6: Encourage Discussion but Also Set Time Limits

Clearly state your topics of discussion on your agenda and how long you are prepared to discuss each topic. Stick to it! Any discussions exceeding the time limit can be held over until the next meeting. Be diplomatic but not dismissive of any points raised. Some committees find it useful to set a physical timer to keep to time frames.

Building Connections

Volunteering is not just about completing tasks; it’s about building connections and fostering a sense of community. This concept, often referred to as ‘friend-raising,’ is crucial. Here are some additional tips to make sure your volunteering opportunities are as engaging and enjoyable as possible:

Friend-Raising

When people reflect on their fondest memories of volunteering, they often mention the friends made, people met, events attended, and fun had, even before they talk about the projects accomplished. An inclusive culture where everyone feels they belong is essential for successful volunteering.

• Inclusive Culture: Ensure that all suggestions are valued and that new ideas are welcomed. This encourages creativity and makes everyone feel part of the team.
• Connection to the Cause: Building connections among volunteers enhances their commitment to your cause.

Ice Breakers

Ice-breaking activities are a great way to make new volunteers feel welcome and to foster connections within your group. Here are a few ideas:

• Ice Breaker Questions: At your next meeting, have a series of ice-breaker questions in a jar and ask everyone to answer one. Questions like ‘If you could have an endless supply of any food, what would it be?’ can lighten the mood and make new volunteers feel involved.
• Famous Couple Name Tags: At an event, give out name tags with famous couples’ names and have everyone find their match.
• Personal Stories: For special occasions, gather funny or interesting stories about key members and create activities around them.

These activities not only ease any initial awkwardness but also build a stronger sense of community and connection among volunteers. This approach makes volunteering fun and helps integrate new members seamlessly.

Creating a Safe Environment for Ideas

The most effective committees are those that are creative and make great ideas. These committees thrive because they create a positive and safe environment where members feel free to throw around ideas, even if some of them might seem ‘bad’ initially. This culture of openness can lead to discovering truly innovative solutions and opportunities.

• Valuing All Suggestions: Ensure that everyone feels safe to voice their ideas, no matter how unconventional. This can prevent the loss of potentially great ideas due to fear of judgment.
• Encouraging New Members: Make it clear that all suggestions are valued. Avoid shooting down ideas without consideration, as this can demoralise new members and discourage future contributions.

Conclusion

Meetings and volunteer activities don’t need to be intensely painful. By incorporating fun, connection, and creativity into your approach, you can make volunteering fun and an enjoyable and rewarding experience for everyone involved. By fostering an inclusive culture and creating opportunities for meaningful connections, you can build a strong and dedicated volunteer base that will support your fundraising efforts enthusiastically. Go forth and meet productively, and remember, don’t be boring!