We understand that small nonprofits need to prioritize, so things like updated social media and blog posts may take a back seat. However, we have suggestions to recruit people specifically to tend to those day-to-day needs.

Of course, volunteers will need an orientation, examples of acceptable work, instructions for the tools they will use, and a designated person who can answer questions. One approach is to initially focus on building the infrastructure for the rest of the volunteer recruitment program. KSU interns could add details to the other volunteer roles, create orientation materials, samples of the type of posts, and instructions for accessing WordPress and social media pages.

The intent is to establish:

• Clear expectations: Define responsibilities, time commitments, training needs, and standards for completed work.
• Appropriate oversight: Designate someone to answer questions, review public-facing materials, and maintain quality and consistency.
• Efficient coordination: Use remote volunteers when possible, provide examples and written instructions, and budget time for supervision.

Here are some ways Simple Needs can increase its team of volunteers:

Expand the Volunteer Recruitment pipeline

During KSU’s Day of Service, a group of students helps organize, clean, and otherwise give nonprofits a boost. To get started, send an email to dayofservice@kennesaw.edu.

KSU provides internships as part of many courses of study. Interns could help craft compelling, engaging stories about the work done by Simple Needs. Interns would work 12 hours per week during a 12-14 week semester and bring business, communication, and digital engagement skills. To get started, join handshake.org and post a short description of the role. 

Recruitment Channel	Type of Help	How to Connect
KSU Day of Service	Short-term help organizing, cleaning, etc.	Email dayofservice@kennesaw.edu
Internships	Semester-long support in communications, business, and digital engagement	Join handshake.org
Idealist and JustServe	Connecting with people actively seeking volunteer opportunities	Signup at idealist.org and JustServe.org
Cobb Senior and community centers	Reaching community members interested in contributing their time and skills	Check https://www.cobbcounty.gov/parks/centers-facilities for locations

Create Meaningful Volunteer Roles

The key to making the volunteer program successful is to design the program so that volunteers provide meaningful support, the organization maintains control of the quality and consistency of services offered, and staff and board members retain appropriate oversight.

Digital Support

Interns are ideally suited for roles such as Social Media Coordinator or Digital Communications Assistant. Their tasks include: 

Role	Responsibilities
Social Media Coordinator	Draft and schedule posts, monitor comments, and help maintain a consistent online presence.
Digital Communications Assistant	Write blog posts, proofread materials, and update website content.
Event Documentation Volunteer	Photograph or record donation drives, donor appreciation events, and birthday gift deliveries.
Donor Communications Assistant	Prepare thank-you messages and help communicate the organization’s impact.
Administrative Support Volunteer	Assist with research, promotional materials, data organization, and other administrative needs.

Warehouse and Delivery Support

Tasks	Requirements
Sort and organize supplies, assemble Comfort Kits, wrap birthday gifts, pack family care packages, and help at donation drives.	4 hours every month on Wednesdays
Deliver furniture and supplies, assist with moving furniture, or volunteer a pickup truck or trailer when needed.	Good driving record, ability to lift 40 lbs.

Strengthen the volunteer page

We recommend adding a call to action to the top and bottom of the page.

Example for Top of Page:

Example for Bottom of Page:

Additionally, the “Contact Us” link near the bottom of the Volunteer page needs to be fixed. Brenda’s email is posted on the Facebook page, so consider replacing the Contact Us button with her email. 

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