[BCMA] Finding Volunteers Post Covid

Fri Jun 7 12:55:01 PDT 2024

We are suffering the same problems that you are. The only thing that has
been working for us is converting contract workers into volunteers after
their tenure is complete. Hiring a good person at a fair wage, even for a
fairly short contract, will often get them involved and enthusiastic about
the organization. In three separate cases, we hired someone that is newly
retired, that way they have some extra time to give after the contract is
done. All three are still volunteering with us.

Todd Davidson
Operations Manager
Princeton and District Museum and Archives
167 Vermilion Ave., PO Box 281,
Princeton, BC, V0X 1W0
250-295-7588
Main website: www.princetonmuseum.org
Collection website: www.princetonbcmuseum.com
Email: princetonmuseum at gmail.com

*We acknowledge **the Similkameen Valley **on which we learn, work, and
organize **is the ancestral, traditional and unceded territory of the
Similqmix People, and is home to the **Upper Similkameen Indian Band
<https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bcafn.ca%2Ffirst-nations-bc%2Fthompson-okanagan%2Fupper-similkameen&data=05%7C01%7Ceoc%40usib.ca%7Cfcadbb901c83497aa9c008da351b00f6%7C8d390933f6dc429e81abc3b43ace9e6c%7C0%7C0%7C637880687333887033%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=7YtSzKZMBsucLLagYhuNeppz%2BpsX8NmsVFHtZ0lL6oM%3D&reserved=0>*

On Fri, Jun 7, 2024 at 11:58 AM Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv <
listserv at lists.museum.bc.ca> wrote:

> 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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>
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