Recruiting the Volunteers
By Thelma Gonzales, PLS, Legal Support Professionals of Arizona

It’s that time of year again — time to start searching for next year’s officers, chairmen and committee members. Does your local chapter or state association have trouble locating these volunteers? If your association is like most other associations, the answer is a resounding YES!!! I’m going to give you some ideas that make it easier for members to say “Yes.”

If your local or state association is operating under a President-Elect system, you have a head start. As the in-coming President, you have a whole year during your term as President-Elect to start recruiting volunteers to run as officers or to line up your chairmen and committee members. Let’s get started.

First, these potential new officers/chairmen and committee members need to know what the job they are possibly running for or being appointed to entails. Prior to your nominations, have your current officers/chairmen tell a little about their position. Don’t have them read from your Bylaws or Standing Rules. Those can be read at any time. Have them tell what they REALLY do in the office/chairmanship. Let them tell some of the things they have accomplished during their term and the things they would like to have accomplished but were not able to. This will give the potential officers/chairmen something to be thinking about prior to making a decision about running for office or accepting that chairmanship.

One very important thing to remember is that YOU need to be positive and enthusiastic. There should be no negativity coming from you about the association or the office/chairmanship you are talking to a member about. They need to feel that they are going to be an officer/chairman in the best association around.

When you start asking members to serve as a chairman, don’t take their first “no” as a final answer. Sometimes a member, especially a newer member or a quieter more reserved member, needs a little convincing that they are capable of handling the job. The member may need a little “coaxing” that they can do what is being asked of them.

If, as the incoming President, you have goals set, share those with your potential officers/chairmen so they will know what you hope to do during your term. Let them know what you will expect of them in their position.

Once your officers have been elected and your chairmen and committees appointed, then it is time for you to work with these volunteers. Some helpful tips might be:

• Get together prior to the taking of offices and discuss with your volunteers what you hope to do during the coming year.
• Make sure they have the previous officer/chairmen files.
• Have a brainstorming session.

Most importantly, let your officers/chairmen and committee members know that you are there to help and guide them, not control them or do the jobs for them. Encourage them and you will have a successful and winning team of volunteers.