Recruiting AmeriCorps members in rural areas
Abstract
Recruiting and retaining volunteers can be challenging for AmeriCorps programs, especially in rural areas where potential members are spread out over a wider geographical distribution. Nonetheless, the need for engaged, active citizens serving in AmeriCorps can be met by following proven and successful techniques included in this effective practice. Jason Scott, Associate Training Officer for the Corporation for National and Community Service, submitted this effective practice in January 2005.Issue
Recruiting members in rural areas poses its own set of challenges, including limited public transportation, unpublicized or restricted community resources, and adverse weather conditions.Action
According to Jason Scott, Training Officer at the Corporation for National and Community Service, effective practices for recruiting members in rural areas include the following:
FACE-TO-FACE RECRUITMENT TECHNIQUES
Network with community representatives that can assist in recruitment efforts.
- Elected Officials: mayor, city council members, chief of police, school board members, county commissioners.
- Neighborhood Representatives: local city council member, neighborhood association board members, neighborhood crime watch representative.
- Miscellaneous Contacts: representatives from neighborhood social service organizations, local business leaders, local faith-based leaders.
OUTREACH
Places to "spread the message" of AmeriCorps within the community include neighborhood festivals, and faith-based and educational institutions.
Neighborhood Festivals
- Have an AmeriCorps information table at the site.
- Have AmeriCorps members participate in a festival parade.
- Have an AmeriCorps information table before, between and after each service.
- Arrange for an AmeriCorps announcement before each service.
- Schedule an AmeriCorps information session after each service.
- Place an AmeriCorps notice in the weekly bulletin.
- Write an article for the member newsletter.
- Place an AmeriCorps poster/flyer on the bulletin board.
- Arrange for an AmeriCorps presentation at a school board meeting.
- Arrange for an AmeriCorps information table during the school day.
- Have an AmeriCorps presentation during homecoming events.
- Schedule an AmeriCorps information session at the local high school or college.
- Write an article for the school paper.
- Place an advertisement in the school paper.
PUBLIC SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES
Be on the lookout for opportunities to give a presentation in the community.
Contact the following clubs to arrange a presentation:
- Kiwanis
- Lions Club
- Moose
- Elks
- Rotary
- Local AARP chapter
- Boys and Girls Clubs
- YMCA
- Other opportunities can be identified in the local community paper
Information Tables:
Schedule regular information tables throughout the community: grocery stores, city hall, local library, local high school/college, YMCA/YWCA, Boys and Girls Club, community center, local parks, recreation center, movie theatres, bowling alley.
Schedule and promote information sessions at the information tables.
Information Sessions:
Public information sessions are one of the best ways to inform the community about AmeriCorps.
- Arrange for the local AmeriCorps program to host an information session.
- Schedule information sessions on a regular basis and hold them at various community locations: library, schools, religious institutions, city hall, community mall, recreation center, or the YMCA.
- Have the local AmeriCorps program help publicize the session.
- Insert AmeriCorps information in bank statements.
- Place AmeriCorps information on grocery bags.
- Advertise on billboard/bus benches.
- Send a letter to the editor of the local paper about AmeriCorps.
- Arrange for an AmeriCorps feature article in the local paper.
- Arrange for the Mayor to issue an AmeriCorps proclamation.
- Drop off AmeriCorps information at the library, bank, post office, medical clinics, animal hospital and other community locations.
Posted On
April 13, 2005For More Information
Resources
A vast network of people and organizations stand ready to help program directors face the dual challenge of recruitment and retention. State commissions, national direct parent organizations, and Corporation state offices are charged with learning and addressing your program's needs. And the Corporation has cooperative agreements with T/TA providers to help you specifically in this area.
Program directors can also take advantage of the collective wisdom of their colleagues by joining one of the electronic mailing lists (listservs) that serve as a forum for discussion with each stream of service. Information about how to subscribe to these e-mail groups is available on The Resource Center's website at http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/resources/listservs/index.php