Volunteers are the heart of the community. They enable us to offer meaningful services to our members. However, getting volunteers can be challenging. Issuing a cattle call doesn’t usually lead to good results. Baby Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y all have different priorities that you must consider when recruiting them. I’ve found volunteering in leadership in my local chapter (Rochester) to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career. Volunteering has stretched me and equipped me as a better leader. I don’t have a magic formula. However, STC Rochester fills 8-10 council positions each year. That’s more than 10% of the community engaged in leadership. This presentation provides strategies and tactics on recruiting and retaining volunteers.

1. Get on Board:
Entraining Volunteers
Ben Woelk
Chair, Community Affairs Committee
December 10, 2013
http://streamlinermemories.info/?p=126

2. The Community Leader as
Ticket Agent
• Get to know your
members (and potential
members)
• Gather testimonials
(http://benwoelk.com/why-i-value-
stc-rochester/)
• Meet prospects
individually
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CONDUCTOR_AT_DODGE
_CITY,_KANSAS,_PUNCHES_A_TICKET_FOR_A_PASSENGER_
ON_AN_EASTBOUND_SOUTHWEST_LIMITED._THE_RAIL..._-
_NARA_-_556007.jpg

3. Identifying Likely Passengers
• Who’s hanging out at the
station? (regular
attendees)
• Who wants be a
conductor or engineer?
(leadership-related
program)
• Who are the business
travelers? (companies
that support STC)
• Who are the frequent
travelers? (former/current
volunteers) http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Los_Angeles_Union_Station
_(5603957705).jpg

4. Buying a Ticket to Ride
streamlinermemories.info
• Where’s this train going?
(vision for the community)
• What’s expected along the
way? (council meetings and
other obligations)
• Am I in for the long haul?
(time, responsibilities)
• Will it be an adventure?
(leadership experience, fun)
• Can I get a discount ticket?
(students)

5. Providing First Class
Accommodations
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Turquoise_Room_Santa_Fe_Super_Chief_1951
.JPG
• Who will make
sure I’m
comfortable?
(mentoring)
• Is there a rewards
program?
(recognition)

6. Commissary
• Leadership resources
http://stc.org/mystc/resources/lead
ership-resources
• Checklists
• Leadership Webinars
• Outreach Team Reps
• Community Affairs
Committee (cac@stc.org)
http://jewlgurl.deviantart.com/art/Stock-Old-Brick-Building-with-Wooden-
Trestle-308736961

7. Railway Post Office
• Ben Woelk
• ben.woelk@gmail.com
• @benwoelk
• http://www.linkedin.com/in/
benwoelk
• http://www.slideshare.net/b
woelk
• Community Affairs
Committee
cac@stc.org
@stccac
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Loading_Mail_onto_Railway_
Post_Office_Car.jpg

8. Author
• Shockproofing Your Use of Social Media (Your Guru
Guides), available at Amazon

9. 4/24/2013
1
Get on Board:
Entraining Volunteers
Ben Woelk
Community Affairs Committee
Leadership Day
May 5, 2013
http://streamlinermemories.info/?p=126
The Community Leader as Ticket Agent
• Get to know your
members (and potential
members)
• Gather testimonials
(http://benwoelk.com/why-i-value-
stc-rochester/)
• Meet prospects
individually
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CONDUCTOR_AT_DODGE
_CITY,_KANSAS,_PUNCHES_A_TICKET_FOR_A_PASSENGER_
ON_AN_EASTBOUND_SOUTHWEST_LIMITED._THE_RAIL..._-
_NARA_-_556007.jpg
Identifying Likely Passengers
• Who’s hanging out at the
station? (regular
attendees)
• Who’s checking out the
train? (leadership-related
program)
• Who are the business
travelers? (companies
that support STC)
• Who are the frequent
travelers? (former/current
volunteers)
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Los_Angeles_Union_Station
_(5603957705).jpg

10. 4/24/2013
2
Buying a Ticket to Ride
streamlinermemories.info
• Where’s this train going?
(vision for the community)
• What’s expected along the
way? (council meetings and
other obligations)
• What’s my commitment?
(time, responsibilities)
• What’s in it for me?
(leadership experience, fun)
• Can I get a discount?
(students)
Providing First Class Accommodations
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Turquoise_Room_Santa_Fe_Super_Chief_1951
.JPG
• Who will make
sure I’m
comfortable?
(mentoring)
• Is there a rewards
program?
(recognition)
Commissary
• Leadership resources
http://stc.org/mystc/resources/lead
ership-resources
• Checklists
• Leadership Webinars
• Outreach Team Reps
• Community Affairs
Committee (cac@stc.org)
http://jewlgurl.deviantart.com/art/Stock-Old-Brick-Building-with-Wooden-
Trestle-308736961