| In many minority communities volunteerism is a close-knit
and personal obligation. Whether a member of a church group sewing quilts
for the needy, the circle of mourners bringing dinner to bereaved
families, or taking in the child of a relative, a rich tradition of
high-level and undocumented volunteerism is alive and well in most
minority communities. Most people refer to this as "helping out". This
tradition of community involvement indicates that minority communities
possess a rich and as yet untapped volunteer pool. Yet, it is easy to see
why the highly structured and professionalized form of volunteerism that
CASA/GAL offers would be somewhat suspect to people with experience only
in informal helping. It might help to look at some reasons minorities do
not volunteer. The United Way of Santa Clara, California, conducted a
research poll to find out and these were some of the reasons given:
- Minorities were not asked
- Fear of being used as a token
- Do not feel connected to the mainstream community
- Lack of personal time
- Emphasis of minority culture on family involvement over community
involvement
- Lack of identification with agencies that are serving minority
clients
- Lack of knowledge about volunteer opportunities
- Belief that minority input is not taken seriously
- Uncertainty about benefits of involvement
- Economic hardship
These were not all the reasons given, but are ones that present serious
challenges. While it is not possible to eliminate all of these obstacles
to volunteering, there are a number of effective strategies that can be
utilized to overcome many of them. Your key selling points should focus on
participation in the CASA/GAL program as an opportunity to respond to a
community need, to make a meaningful difference, and to use their skills
or knowledge to directly affect the quality of life of children.
There are some general recruitment guidelines that will help you
develop specific strategies targeted to minority communities:
- Emphasize altruistic rather than personal reasons for volunteering.
Research has shown that people who volunteer recognize that personal
gain is possible from volunteering -work experience, self-confidence,
and recognition from their community. However, such personal benefits
are strongly perceived to be the wrong reasons for volunteering. Efforts
to promote altruistic benefits are viewed more positively.
- A personal appeal is the most effective approach. Asking someone to
volunteer one-on-one is still the best way to recruit volunteers.
Although posters, flyers, and ads do increase awareness of volunteer
needs, the strongest appeal is still the personal one. The appeal is
even stronger if it is made by a member of a prospective volunteer's own
minority community.
- Develop the image of CASA/GAL as an organization to which people can
feel a strong personal attachment. Most volunteers need to feel a bond
to the organization they support. This bond is usually achieved because
an organization provided a direct benefit to them or someone they know.
A real challenge then is to find the "hook" that will create that bond
to CASA/GAL. For example, tell stories of children from minority
communities who have been helped by CASA/GAL (without breaching
confidentiality).
- Recognize and take advantage of the "era of volunteerism."
Volunteerism is growing more popular every day.
Volunteerism -- as well as a new social commitment -- has replaced
working and materialism as the vogue.
Strategies for Attracting Minority Volunteers
Participate in community events and organizations to increase awareness
of CASA/GAL, to distribute materials, and to ask for volunteers. Examples
of such opportunities follow:
- ·Participate in cultural, fraternal, church related events.
- ·Distribute materials at street fairs, music festivals, block
parties, and historical celebrations.
- ·Distribute culturally appropriate materials and pulpit messages to
churches and community centers.
Use minority media extensively.
- Distribute PSAs to minority radio stations.
- Distribute camera-ready ads targeted to minority communities to
local magazines and newspapers that market to minorities.
- Run PSAs geared to minorities on local cable television stations.
- Enlist the support of minority disk jockeys who can promote
volunteerism by offering give-aways, such as records or gift
certificates, to people who volunteer.
- Ask minority retailers to distribute recruitment materials to their
customers.
- Enlist the help of barber shops, beauty shops, doctors' and
dentists' offices to distribute brochures.
- Display posters at delicatessens, convenience stores, drug stores,
dry cleaners, and fast-food restaurants.
Enlist the support of minority role models within the
community.
- Local minority sports stars, newscasters, business leaders may be
willing to promote CASA/GAL in public appearances.
- Invite local minority leaders to serve on an advisory committee to
provide suggestions for recruitment strategies.
Make use of existing community resources.
- Be sure volunteer centers are aware of your need for minority
volunteers.
- Conduct joint minority outreach projects with other volunteer
organizations.
- Solicit support from minority business organizations, minority bar
associations, minority-controlled agencies such as the Urban League.
- Involve local minority organizations in sponsoring CASA/GAL
volunteers.
- Local churches, social clubs, and businesses might well support a
"CASA Volunteer Fund" to defray the expenses of volunteering.
- Designate a staff person to be in charge of minority recruitment.
- Establish an inclusiveness advisory committee which includes members
of the minorities you are targeting.
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