The following should be clear. Therefore, why am I telling you this? Because Jochen and I learned the hard way that we don’t only need to know certain things, we also have to apply them.
- Be Clear About Expectations: It is essential to be clear about what is expected of volunteers. This includes the time commitment, responsibilities and goals. Do you want the Contest Chair to inform the participants or is this up to you? Furthermore, do you expect the chief judge to find judges or is this something you do?
- Provide Support and Training: Volunteers need support and training to perform their tasks effectively. Moreover, give out some sheets for crucial moments so that volunteers know what to do and what to say (especially for the contest chair).
- Show Appreciation: Volunteers are the backbone of the organization, and their hard work and dedication should be appreciated.
- Communicate Regularly: Keep volunteers informed about club activities, upcoming events, and other important information. We had a very good judge who took the chance to support another event just because we didn’t inform her about the status of the event. She thought it would be canceled by that point.
In summary, effective communication with volunteers is essential to the success of the Toastmasters organization. By being clear about expectations, providing support and training, showing appreciation, and communicating regularly, Toastmasters clubs can build strong teams and achieve their goals.
