When it comes to recruiting volunteers
local is best By Kevin White, Volunteer Relations and Workforce Planning Project Officer
Recruiting volunteers is a challenge for many brigades. The new Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Kit can help you find new members - and support the ones you’ve already got.
The NSW RFS has been working on the Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Kit since December 2012, with funding provided by the National Disaster Resilience Program. To develop the Kit we talked to NSW RFS members across the State to find out what brigades are doing now to attract and retain members, what is working and what resources would help. The Kit brings together these ideas in a format that allows a variety of options for brigades depending on their circumstances. The Kit reflects the wide range of issues that can affect recruitment and retention of volunteers in different parts of NSW.
• Case studies and stories from brigades who have successfully recruited using different techniques; • Tips and tools for interviewing, inducting new members and setting up mentors; • Multimedia presentations – a photo slide show and brief promotional video; • Descriptions of the recruitment posters, brochures, postcards and
other resources available to order;
• And a set of planning tools to tie it all together.
• Templates to make things easier, such as:
The Kit is available in hard copy (ask your District office for a copy) and on MyRFS. As this Kit is primarily based on what brigades are doing right now, we welcome any feedback, tips and tools, please forward them to: volunteer@rfs.nsw.gov.au.
- Recruitment letters and invitations; - Thank you letters; - Induction and mentoring checklists; - Sample interview questions; - Sample role guidelines;
No matter where you are or what type of brigade you have, the recruitment messages are simple: 1. Ask your local residents to be a part of the safety of their community in a way that works for them 2. Consider making all brigade activities into recruitment activities. Plan your brigade calendar to deliver messages to the community around peak times 3. Think ahead: the recruitment process continues until your new members finish probation
What’s in the Kit? Inside the Kit you will find a range of practical information and resources including: BUSH FIREbulletin // GENERAL NEWS 37