Making the most of your volunteer introduction meeting

The first meeting between a charity and a potential volunteer is an important and exciting moment. It’s a great chance for both parties to learn more about each other, more about the volunteering opportunity; and to bring together all the information you need before you decide to work together. 

It is also a great moment to start building a relationship and establishing trust between the charity and the volunteer. This is often a critical step in ensuring a successful and mutually beneficial partnership. 

Here are some top tips to help make the most of this meeting between charities and volunteers:  

For charities 

• Be prepared: Make sure you come up with questions to get all the information you need about the volunteer’s skills, experience, and availability. This will help you to determine if they are a good fit for the role and if their timelines match up with the charity’s needs.  
• Be inclusive: Ensure that your interview process is accessible and inclusive for all volunteers and ask questions about any support needs or reasonable adjustments that can be made. 
• Be clear: Outline the remit of the role and what you expect from the volunteer. This will help to ensure that both parties are on the same page throughout the process.  
• Be friendly: Put the volunteer at ease and make them feel welcome. Remember, they are considering donating their time and skills to your wonderful charity, and you want them to feel valued.  
• Explain next steps: Let the volunteer know if there are other people you are meeting about the role, and how and when you will contact them after the meeting.

For volunteers:  

• Research: Research the charity and its mission before the meeting. This will help you to understand more about the charity, find a connection to their cause, and determine if you want to volunteer with them.  
• Be prepared: Think about what information you need to get out of the meeting and have any questions ready to go. 
• Be clear: Be clear about your skills, experience, and availability to support the role. 
• Be realistic: It is common to want to go above and beyond, but make sure to be realistic about the time and support you are able to deliver. 

The initial meeting between a charity and a potential volunteer sets the stage for a great partnership. Although important, it’s not just about exchanging information. Rather, it is about forging a connection and laying the foundation for trust and collaboration. By approaching this introduction with openness, enthusiasm, and mutual respect, both parties can embark on a journey of meaningful impact and success. We wish you the very best of luck!