RECRUITING MINORITY VOLUNTEERS

1. RECRUITING MINORITY VOLUNTEERS By Germaine Pointer, South District 4-H RSA

2. Where to begin • Demographers predict that by 2030 most of America’s school-age children will be from a minority group and by 2050, so will most Americans (Hodgkinson 1996). • Changes the nature of population • Changes how audiences are served - List

3. Cultural literacy Quiz • When is Black History Month celebrated? • Who was Fredrick Douglas? • When is Asian Pacific Month celebrated? • Name three ethnic groups that make up the Asian population in the United States • When is Native American Heritage Month ? • Name three Native American Tribes? • When is Hispanic American Month celebrated? • Name three places of origin or decent that would categorize people as Hispanic

4. Background on minority volunteering • Definition: A volunteer is someone who serves in a community because she chooses to do so and serves without compensation. • Volunteering already exists in minority communities, informal, helping out

5. Why minorities do not volunteer • United Way research poll found that minorities don’t volunteer for the following reasons: • Minorities were not asked • Fear of being used as a token • Do not feel connected to the mainstream community • Lack of personal time

6. Why minorities do not volunteer • 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

7. Effective Strategies • Emphasize altruistic rather than personal reasons for volunteering • Helping others • Thinking about others rather than self • Making a difference in the environment/world

8. Effective Strategies • A personal appeal is the most effective approach • Develop the image that 4-H is as organization in which people can feel strong personal attachment • Take advantage of the “era of volunteerism”, In vogue rather than materialism • Some 60.8 million between 09/06 and 09/07 or 26.2% of our population – 2006 estimate 299,398,484 73.8% to work with Population, 221,554,878

9. Strategies for Attracting Minority Volunteers • Participate in community events to increase awareness of 4-H, distribute materials, solicit volunteers • Cultural events, fraternal, church related events, street fairs, music festivals, block parties, historical celebrations • Use minority media extensively • Distribute PSAs to minority radio stations, camera ready ads to newspapers, local magazines that market to minorities…Run PSAs on local cable television... • Ask minority retailers to put up ads, calendars etc. • Display posters at barber shops, doctors office...

10. Strategies for Attracting Minority Volunteers • Enlist the support of minority role models within the community • Local minority sports stars, business leaders, veterans, politicians • Invite local minority leaders to serve on advisory committee, Expansion and Review committee, to judge events, to be guest speakers at events • Make use of existing community resources • Utilize volunteer centers, Volunteer Broward… • Collaborate with other organizations to do outreach • Solicit other minority volunteers to assist

11. Be Sensitive to Cultural Differences • Ensure that brochures and all marketing materials represent the clientele you are trying to reach • Beware of when events or meetings are scheduled, be aware of how cultures view time • Don’t try to use language to fit in, be natural but be honest – If foreign language is used, have a volunteer or staff that can help to clarify policies, benefits, screenings etc. • Examine your own attitudes toward diversity, if you feel uncomfortable so will your potential volunteers • Be yourself, be honest…..

12. Resources • http://www.energizeinc.com/prof/volop.html • http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html • The Volunteer Recruitment Book by Susan J. Ellis • Strengthening Programs to Reach Diverse Audiences • Handouts, evaluation and follow-up