Recruiting Manual

Make a manual for the office that has some information about the group, as well as practical information. The volunteer should be given a personal copy of training materials that outline the group's objectives and procedures to review at their own pace and refer to it when needed. 

The manual should include:

• an overview of the organization, describing it's purpose, goals and objectives, programs and services, relationship to other groups and role in the community
• the names, portfolios and office hours of the board members
• the purpose and goals of the volunteer program
• the lines of authority and responsibilities of the board, staff and volunteer coordinator.
• responsibilities of the work groups and how they are expected to function
• the size of the volunteer program budget, last year's breakdown
• job description for standard volunteer positions, i.e. office reception, resource center, work group coordinator and so on.
• the Human Rights Code and any other code of ethics

It's goals should include:

• Organizing the neighborhood
• Developing the core group
• Developing a neighborhood plan
• Establishing boundaries
• Delegating responsibilities to core group
• Neighborhood inventory
• Issue identification
• Review and evaluation of goals

VMOSA (Vision, Mission, Objectives, Strategies, Action Plans)

• What is your dream for our community?
• What do you want to change?
• What kind of community (or program, school, neighborhood, etc.) do we want to create?
• What do you see as the community's (or program's, school's, neighborhood's, etc .) major issues or problems?
• What do you see as the community's major strengths and assets?
• What do you think should be the purpose of this organization (or effort)?
• Why should these issues be addressed?

Ways to generate interest and get people involved:

• Neighborhood association newsletter
• Weekly area newspapers
• Schools, churches and club newsletters
• Door-to-door handouts
• Neighborhood survey:
  • Mail
  • Phone
  • Door-to-door
• Person-to-person by phone:
  • To friends
  • To neighbors
• Bulletins, notices, pamphlets, posters, fliers placed with permission in:
  • Laundromats
  • Libraries
  • Supermarkets
  • Local restaurants
  • Stores
  • Waiting rooms in dentist/doctor's offices
• Booths at local events
• Speakers at:
  • Business groups
  • Service clubs
  • Youth groups
  • Schools/churches
• Cooperative efforts with adjoining neighborhoods
• Lawn signs
• Letters
• Telephone tree

When you approach neighbors begin by telling them your idea for organizing. Why you see the need (i.e., transportation problems, crime prevention). Why the Community Alliance would be a good resource for working on this idea. Ask them for their opinion. Ask what are some of the problems they see, ask about their ideas for solving them. Take down names and numbers and give them yours or other contact info. If enough people are interested, tell them that you will soon notify them about a neighborhood meeting. But don't wait too log to follow up or they may lose their enthusiasm. With only a few people (4 or 5) you have a core group of activists.

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