People get involved because they want to make a difference. Identifying their skills and interests and giving them opportunities to use them are paramount in keeping them involved. New volunteers start out excited and ready to tackle anything, but end up frustrated, disillusioned, and leave when they aren't given a chance.

I worked with a group of eager, 30-ish budding leaders with great ideas ready to move their town forward. They had fresh ideas and the energy to follow them through. However, their frustration was palpable. The town’s leadership simply would not allow for their involvement nor recognize the possibility that things could be done differently.

Resignation set in as these budding leaders recognized they would have to wait until current leadership was no longer involved. Think of the time and chances lost. Do we have the luxury of waiting 10 years to try new ideas? I would argue that never has involvement of new ideas and approaches been more important than now.

The other essential component of keeping volunteers involved is to recognize their contribution and let them know you are glad they are involved. Time is precious, and people need to know the time they are spending and the work and ideas they are contributing are appreciated. It doesn’t need to be anything big – a simple thank you and “glad you are here” go a long way in keeping new volunteers engaged.

If you’ve been unable to keep new volunteers, check your attitude and ask some hard questions. How you open are you to new ideas? Have you demonstrated some type of recognition or appreciation for a job well done?

Volunteers need to ask themselves how they are approaching their new situation. Are you assuming that current leadership has been doing things wrong and your way is the right and only way? Confidence in ideas is part of being a leader, but it’s important to recognize many of these folks have been doing this work for years. A certain amount of respect is due.

Opportunities, recognition, and attitude can make a world of difference in keeping volunteers in- volved. Once that begins, others will step forward as well.

Contact Kathie Starkweather, kathies@cfra.org or 402.438.8496 for more information.