Hi Angel,
Attached are some notes from a Martin Cowling's volunteer management workshop that indirectly address your question. Martin presented about the general characteristics of volunteers from each of the generations. He specifically talked about where to find volunteers from each generation, their motivation to volunteer, and what type of work they prefer. Thinking about volunteer recruitment, training, retention, and recognition specific to each generation appears to help us.
Take care,
Andy
Andy Greif, Executive Director
Community Bicycle Center
Shop: 284 Hill Street, Biddeford
Mail: P.O. Box 783, Biddeford, ME 04005
207-282-9700 (shop) 207-229-8199 (cell)
www.communitybike.net
"Providing Opportunities for Youth to Grow"
From: thethinktank-bounces@lists.bikecollectives.org [mailto:thethinktank-bounces@lists.bikecollectives.org] On Behalf Of Angel York Sent: Monday, December 06, 2010 4:43 PM To: The Think Tank Subject: [TheThinkTank] Volunteer Accountability
Sometimes the fact that we're an all-volunteer bike shop means that there's no incentive for people not to wait 'til the last minute to realize that they're going to be late for a shift or flake entirely.
The only fix I can think of is social cohesion. positive feedback and respect from other volunteers for being awesome when you are and such. but that doesn't seem to stop people from flaking.
What positive methods have y'all found that do work?
Angel York
Speaking of positive feedback: Darin, Jason, Jonathan, Robbie, Sarah: I know you're on this listserv. YOU'RE AWESOME. thanks for keepin' our lil' shop a-runnin'. And thanks to all y'all think tankers for making other places awesome, too.