The Struggle is Real: Why Membership Associations Struggle to Find Volunteers

A recent study by Recherches et Solidarités for France Bénévolat shows that 27% of volunteers stepped down during the Covid-19 pandemic. This lack of volunteers proves challenging to the associations, which struggle to stay afloat. While the reasons for this decrease in volunteers may be understandable, the consequences are very real. In this blog post, we'll explore why membership associations struggle to find volunteers and what can be done to mitigate the problem.

The decrease in volunteers has been attributed to multiple factors, including an increase in unemployment, a reduction in disposable income, and a general sense of anxiety about the future.

Membership associations rely on volunteers to help with a variety of tasks, from organising events to fundraisers to managing social media accounts. Without adequate numbers of volunteers, these tasks often go undone or are left to paid staff members who are already stretched thin. This can lead to a decrease in membership and donations, as well as an overall decline in morale.

What can be done to mitigate the problem? One solution is to offer incentives for volunteering, such as discounts on membership dues or access to exclusive perks. Another solution is to create a more flexible volunteering schedule that can accommodate busy schedules. Lastly, it's essential to communicate the importance of volunteering and its impact on the organisation and its members. Taking these steps can help your membership association recover from this setback and emerge stronger than ever!

Did you know that Ocrélys provides consulting services for membership organisations? We can help you devise effective strategies to recruit and retain volunteers. In today's fast-paced world, finding the time to volunteer can be difficult. However, studies have shown that volunteering provides many benefits, both for the individual and for the community. Ocrélys can help you create a volunteer strategy tailored to your organisation's needs. As a result, you can focus on what you do best. Contact us today and see how we can help you.