Recruiting volunteers
An effective volunteer program is essential to producing a large-scale holiday event; volunteers provide manpower and bring a vital community spirit to the function. New York-based Eventage, which coordinated more than 500 people for the Times Square 2000 Millennium Celebration, offers the following tips for recruiting volunteers:
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Put a volunteer application on the Internet. When planning Times Square 2000, the company placed an application on the Times Square Business Improvement District’s Web site, which attracted volunteers from across the country.
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Send information and applications to volunteer organizations, community groups and schools.
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Get the local media involved. Local radio and television stations can help recruit volunteers by running public service announcements.
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Approach community-minded corporations that might be willing to offer incentives for employees who donate time to an event.
- Offer an event souvenir for volunteers.
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During Times Square 2000, volunteers worked in shifts from 4 a.m. Dec. 31 to 6 a.m. Jan. 1. Each shift was kept fully staffed, with a minimal attrition rate. For a volunteer program to be successful, volunteers must be respected, well trained, well nourished, motivated and busy, and thanked appropriately.