1. Hi, I’m ______, who are you? Okay, not the most diplomatic question. Start the conversation in a way that gets your members to tell you about them….beyond their job title. Seek to discover more about their personal and professional background, hobbies, accomplishments, and more. Their story reveals who they are and the talents they possess. And that often helps identify the best match. 2. Why did you join/what do you find most helpful?This question helps define what elicited the greatest interest in the member; enough to join/renew. For new members, this tells you the program, product or service that you must match them to quickly to ensure their satisfaction. For current members, this question gives you an opportunity to ensure that the organization is responsive to their goals. The actual type and degree of involvement is contingent on the pace at which they want to achieve their goals. The faster the desire, the deeper the level of involvement you can suggest.3. What concerns do you have about the discipline (profession, trade or personal avocation)?Their responses to this question unleash the “mother lode.” By learning their passions about their work, along with their goals (as learned earlier), you have an opportunity to offer a wide range of volunteer opportunities. Be certain that the match made offers an opportunity for them to contribute their skill, ability and expertise – and at the same time – provides them an opportunity to gain access to information, a connection, or build a relationship that furthers their goals.
Love it all, but don't see any need to limit questioning to "what are your concerns?" I know asking "what keeps you up at night?" is all the range, but we can discover people's passions and what they care about without limiting such interests to being a "concern."
Love this post! Potential volunteers definitely are all around us. Just last week, one of our project volunteers in Jamaica was spending some free time on the beach and began talking with a woman she met there... who just happens to be a registered nurse and now interested in volunteering on one of our projects next year!
These are some great questions to present to potential volunteers, but I think you should add more action questions. Questions that give a call to action and create a motivation within the person.
Thanks to all who have offered their comments....and yes, more questions are indeed in order. Apologies for making it sound like it should stop at three. Have found these help begin the discussion, allow people to tell their "story" of who they are and what resonates within them. Knowing their story is the key. Important then to expand the interview in order to find the right match...and then make the offer/ask. And, wonderful story about finding a volunteer on a beach...."volunteers...they're everywhere!"
