Board and Committee Motivations

One thing is for sure -- Chamber board and committee volunteers are not serving for the pay! So, if it is not the money, what motivates them?

It is useful to understand that people volunteer because they have a need. There IS indeed “something in it” for them, and it is important for you to discover their needs and motivations and then respond to them.

Let me share three common volunteers’ needs and motivations and how you can respond to them and gain strong volunteers along the way!

Motivation/Need:

1. Social. Volunteers who are motivated by their social needs are likely to become
involved because their friends volunteer. They are influenced by others who want them
to volunteer and who recruit them. They are interested in community service, as are
their close friends.

Motivational Tip:

When they are new, connect them to a veteran “mentor.” Make them a mentor to someone else when they are seasoned. Give them the option to choose their area of service, as they may prefer to be with friends or in an activity where they may receive recognition and appreciation for their efforts.
Motivation/Need:

2. Values. Volunteers who are motivated by their values seek to act on a genuine concern that they have for the Chamber. They desire to do something for a cause that is near and dear to their heart. They also feel that it is important to help others and to “give back.”
Motivational Tip:

Get a sense of their values by asking “what is important to you?” or “what part of the Chamber’s work do you care about most deeply?” Offer them opportunities to serve in ways that address the answers they give.

When you recruit such volunteers, lay out the challenge, the need, and why they are uniquely able to make a difference. Tell them how the Chamber, its members, or others, will benefit from their service.

Motivation/Need:

3. Career. Volunteers who have career motivations see volunteering as a way to “get their foot in the door” at a place where they would like to work or with an organization they would like to gain as a client. These volunteers desire to make new contacts that might help their business or career. For some, volunteering may offer the chance to explore different career options or help succeed in a chosen profession. Volunteer experience may also look good on the resume.
Motivational Tip:

Provide them with service opportunities where networking skills are essential, such as being a Chamber recruiting “ambassador” or host of networking events. Learn about their career interests and current employment situation. Offer them service opportunities that allow them exposure to people and organizations that will help them fulfill their goals.

Make the effort to get to know your volunteers! Have your board answer the question “why do you serve?” Then develop your own strategy for responding to their answers and needs. Encourage all committee chairs to do the same with committee members and develop the same strategies. Volunteers who find meaning and purpose in their service are more likely to deliver great results and be highly committed when they realize that they can get “what’s in it for them!”

Dave Medema

For more information on this and many other topics, visit Free Management Library, http://www.managementhelp.org/topics.htm

Medema is a consultant with Pondera Advisors, a team of leadership consultants who serve as guides for organizational and individual change. Their core purpose is to help organizations and the individuals who lead them to achieve sustained excellence. Pondera Advisors facilitates strategic planning, organizational change initiatives, succession planning and leadership development, and teambuilding. In addition, they have created the Virtual Coach Sports™ and Pondera Virtual Advisor™ psychological assessments for use by business organizations and professional and college sports teams. Visit their website at www.ponderaadvisors.com.

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