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Developing: Retaining Volunteers

When you consider the investment of time required to interview and screen a volunteer—let alone ensure he or she is properly trained—retaining this volunteer over time is desirable. A fully qualified Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteer is an invaluable asset to your community and one you do not want to lose.

To retain volunteers, provide them with a quality volunteer experience:

Ensuring a positive first impression by treating the application and screening process efficiently and professionally.
Creating helpful and relevant course of required training, not just “busy work.” Offer optional training that enhances the volunteer’s experience and assists them with their current employment (if applicable).
Demonstrating professional accountability in terms of establishing and following policies that reduce the overall risk of harm for the volunteer and for others.
Ensuring volunteers feel that they are contributing their skills in a meaningful way. For some volunteers, this may mean that they only wish to serve in an emergency. For others, this may mean being involved in ongoing public health initiatives throughout the year (see Developing: Serving a Satisfying Purpose).
Providing for the emotional needs of volunteers after they have been utilized and give them the opportunity to participate in after-action activities. Show them the MRC’s commitment to caring for the well-being of the volunteers and that it seriously considers their feedback from the field.
Showing that the MRC leadership is functioning as an advocate with local, state, and Federal government to ensure proper legislation and guidelines for extending protections to volunteers engaged in activities that carry some known risk.

For more information, refer to the Technical Assistance Series publication Special Topics: Volunteer Retention and Recognition.

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Last Updated on 8/29/2006