[BCMA] Finding Volunteers Post Covid

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv]

Hi Casey,

This is one of the most pressing issues for our Museum right now. We
initially saw an uptick immediately following the easing of restrictions,
but numbers have since plummeted. This is despite numerous attempts to
recruit and incentivize volunteers, including:

   - Social media posts
   - Targeted emails to members/subscribers
   - Volunteer Open House events
   - Volunteer Appreciation events
   - Increased volunteer recognition
   - Free workshops for prospective/current volunteers
   - Ads in newsletters/newspapers
   - Buying cookies, treats, beverages, etc. to make volunteering more
   pleasant
   - Gifts and cards for holidays/anniversaries with the organization

We're extremely flexible with scheduling, and everyone gets one-on-one
training. We try really hard to make the volunteers feel comfortable and
like a valued member of the team. The social aspect is really important for
most of our volunteers so we always make time to check in/chat with them.

So what is causing the downturn? People's lifestyles have shifted since the
pandemic and people are doing more traveling. Most of our volunteers are
seniors; some can no longer volunteer due to health concerns, and others
have passed away. The younger generations aren't stepping up to fill those
vacancies. We also find that volunteers are only willing to do small,
pre-prepared projects - not larger, long-term projects. Overall, the
culture of volunteerism seems to be fading.

Sorry, I feel like my response isn't really "helpful" - we're also
grappling with what to do to remedy the situation.

I look forward to seeing other people's responses!

Best wishes,
Petra

On Thu, Jun 6, 2024 at 10:15 AM Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv <
listserv at lists.museum.bc.ca> wrote:

> Hello everyone,
>
> Post Covid has proven to be a bit of a struggle for our museum here in
> Williams Lake. Prior to the pandemic, we had a small, albeit, dedicated
> group of volunteers who were committed to various smaller tasks to take on,
> while staff focused on larger projects. Since that time, those volunteers
> have all but vanished and from the sounds of it, no real desire to return.
> We have tried posters at activity centers, social media and even reaching
> out to some of our members.
>
> If you are also a museum who has experienced this dramatic drop in
> volunteers due to Covid, what have you been doing to try and generate
> interest back from the public for volunteers to re-enter your organization?
> Is it working?
>
> Look forward to hearing your thoughts.
>
> Casey Bennett
> *Project Coordinator*
>
> *Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin*
> *1660B Broadway Ave S. Williams Lake, BC*
> *V2G 4W4, **250.39*
> *2.7404*
> *www.cowboy-museum.com* <http://www.cowboy-museum.com/>
>
> *Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin is grateful to be located on the
> territory of the T'exelcemc (Williams Lake First Nation) of the Secwépemc
> Nation. **Serving on the traditional territory of the Secwépemc,
> Tŝilhqot'in, and Dakelh Nations.*
>
> _______________________________________________
> Listserv mailing list
> Listserv at lists.museum.bc.ca
> http://lists.museum.bc.ca/listinfo.cgi/listserv-museum.bc.ca
>


-- 
Petra Höller
Curator
Summerland Museum and Archives
(250) 494-9395
*curator@*summerlandmuseum.org <archives at summerlandmuseum.org>
The Summerland Museum and Archives respectfully acknowledges
that we are situated on the unceded and ancestral territory of the Syilx
Peoples.
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