Recruiting volunteers: Ask specifically
"We need help" is easy to overlook. A concrete invitation with a task, time, and support makes it easier for a member to say yes.
Published August 14, 2026 · Hjerterum
Many associations are looking for "more volunteers", but members don't always know what that means in practice. Is it a fixed role every week, a single shift, or full board responsibility? Uncertainty can make even positive members wait.
Describe the actual task
A good invitation answers five questions:
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What should I do?
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When and for how long?
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Who am I doing it with?
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What assistance or introduction will I receive?
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Is the task one-off or recurring?
When the answers are visible, the member can quickly assess whether the task is suitable.
Ask the right person
Personal recruitment is not the same as pressure. Tell them what you've noticed: "You're good at welcoming new people; would you like to stand at the welcome desk for the first half hour?" This makes the invitation relevant and acknowledging.
Always leave room for a no. A respectful no now can become a yes to another task later.
Reduce the risk of the first task
DGI emphasizes the importance of describing tasks and creating a safe introduction. Have new volunteers be accompanied by an experienced person for the first time. Ensure there is a phone number and a brief plan so that no one shows up without knowing where to go.
Show options continuously
With the Hjerterum Association, members can see open tasks as they arise. This makes volunteering less dependent on who the coordinator happens to remember to ask.
Categories can help: fixed tasks, events, practical help or communication. A member can thus find something that matches their time and interests.
Learn from the answers
Note which tasks are difficult to fill. Maybe they are too long, occur at a bad time, or lack a clear introduction. Recruiting improves when the association adjusts the task itself - not just increases the call to action.