The Ambassador Program: A Framework for Recruiting and Engaging Flexible Volunteers

9 Pages Posted: 9 Aug 2019

See all articles by Ike Obi

Ike Obi

Ball State University

Alexus Jimson-Miller

Ball State University

Michaela Hahn

Ball State University

Darik Hall

Ball State University

Date Written: June 30, 2019

Abstract

Volunteers are vital to the mission of nonprofit organizations. However, most nonprofits are struggling to recruit the volunteers they need to support their goals. Due to this difficulty, many of these organizations are seeking innovative techniques for recruiting and engaging volunteers in ways that are enriching, meaningful and productive. On the basis of this need we surveyed 55 participants, interviewed 10 users and conducted literature reviews on 30 materials to uncover insights into the best method for recruiting and retaining volunteers. Findings from the study revealed that most of the respondents were interested in a flexible and open-choice approach to volunteering. It also showed that the respondents would like to participate with their friends and that they wouldn't mind a reward for helping out such organizations. Based on these findings, we developed a flexible volunteer framework that could be implemented by nonprofits or any other organization that needs help recruiting volunteers. This paper should provide a clear understanding of the process, its benefits, and how to incorporate them into their current volunteer, recruitment, and engagement strategies.

Keywords: flexible volunteering, non-profits, design thinking, transmedia storytelling, volunteer recruitment

Suggested Citation

Obi, Ike and Jimson-Miller, Alexus and Hahn, Michaela and Hall, Darik, The Ambassador Program: A Framework for Recruiting and Engaging Flexible Volunteers (June 30, 2019). RAIS Conference Proceedings - The 13th International RAIS Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3434085 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3434085

Ike Obi (Contact Author)

Ball State University ( email )

Muncie, IN 47306-0340
United States

Alexus Jimson-Miller

Ball State University ( email )

Muncie, IN 47306-0340
United States

Michaela Hahn

Ball State University ( email )

Muncie, IN 47306-0340
United States

Darik Hall

Ball State University ( email )

Muncie, IN 47306-0340
United States

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