Method

Advantages

Disadvantages

Example

Mail - letter or postcard

broadcast to potentially interested group

expensive

potential low return rate

large projects needing lots of people

do not have to recruit as many individuals

E-mail

broadcast inexpensively and immediately

easy to reply

reaches only those electronically literate

finding photographers for Day Walker (short term project

Flyer/poster

broadcast to wide audience

impersonal or seen as junk mail

Workshop, special event

Ad in newsletter

broadcast to wide audience

only interested parties reply

can target specific skills

time lag

impersonal

Office volunteers

Ad on website

broadcast to wide audience

only interested parties reply

can target specific skills or duration

might not be suited (non member)

can only reach those electronically literate

Technology projects

Article in newspaper

broadcast to subscribers

miss people who do not subscribe

jobs listed in article

Volunteer orientation

increase awareness of organization and jobs

miss people who cannot attend

group leaders can find out what is available

Workshop/training session

"try before buy"

have trained volunteers when finished

miss people who cannot attend.

Some have no intention of volunteering

Trail maintenance workshop

Speaking at meeting

captive audience

group enthusiasm

people feel you are putting them on the spot

particular projects

large project

Contact group

they find volunteers

message of what you want could be lost

large projects requiring lots of people

Volunteer Data Sheet

they have expressed interest

no idea of if really interested

trail maintainer

"Seen in action"

have track record that might or might not be valid

risk taking them from another project

must ask them

trail maintainer, supervisor

Recommendation

have track record

have to find people who can make recommendations

must ask

board members

jobs requiring specific skills

"Over the transom"

wants to help

might not have a suitable job now

almost anything

Group needing a project

they find or have found volunteers, can be a continuous source

not always convenient

erratic skill level

projects requiring sheer numbers; such a TC working with parks