Chapter Volunteer Recruitment

Chapter Volunteer Recruitment

Content

GREATER CLEVELAND CHAPTER: From Expertise to Service: A Skills-Based Volunteer Day That Strengthened Chapter Connections

GREATER CLEVELAND CHAPTER: From Expertise to Service: A Skills-Based Volunteer Day That Strengthened Chapter Connections

Content

SUMMARY: The CVATD Chapter launched a skills-based volunteer “hackathon” to collectively apply members’ learning and development expertise in the service of a local nonprofit. Designed to move beyond traditional learning events, the initiative brought chapter members together for a full-day, hands-on collaboration where participants shared their individual strengths, learned from one another, and delivered tangible value to the community. Working in focused teams, members revamped volunteer and donor training materials and developed a new volunteer handbook for a nonprofit with limited staff capacity. The effort strengthened professional relationships within a rebooting chapter, increased visibility through LinkedIn publicity, and reinforced members’ sense of purpose and belonging. By combining community impact with peer-to-peer learning and collaboration, the chapter created a repeatable model for deep engagement that builds capability, connection, and goodwill—both within the chapter and beyond.

SUMMARY: The CVATD Chapter launched a skills-based volunteer “hackathon” to collectively apply members’ learning and development expertise in the service of a local nonprofit. Designed to move beyond traditional learning events, the initiative brought chapter members together for a full-day, hands-on collaboration where participants shared their individual strengths, learned from one another, and delivered tangible value to the community. Working in focused teams, members revamped volunteer and donor training materials and developed a new volunteer handbook for a nonprofit with limited staff capacity. The effort strengthened professional relationships within a rebooting chapter, increased visibility through LinkedIn publicity, and reinforced members’ sense of purpose and belonging. By combining community impact with peer-to-peer learning and collaboration, the chapter created a repeatable model for deep engagement that builds capability, connection, and goodwill—both within the chapter and beyond.

Content

YEAR: 2026

YEAR: 2026

Content

PUGET SOUND CHAPTER: Volunteer Recruiting Strategy & Infrastructure

PUGET SOUND CHAPTER: Volunteer Recruiting Strategy & Infrastructure

Content

SUMMARY: Beginning in 2020, the Puget Sound Chapter developed a structured recruitment process to improve the experience of potential volunteers. The chapter board established a dedicated volunteer recruiter position, created new materials to share information on volunteer opportunities, and implemented a user-friendly form for interested members. Additionally, the chapter standardized its recruitment workflow by defining the roles of stakeholders, clarifying decision-making processes, and utilizing a dedicated volunteer recruitment Slack channel to foster greater collaboration within the board. Since its implementation, the chapter has received 63 volunteer applications and achieved an 85 percent or higher recruitment rate for open positions.

SUMMARY: Beginning in 2020, the Puget Sound Chapter developed a structured recruitment process to improve the experience of potential volunteers. The chapter board established a dedicated volunteer recruiter position, created new materials to share information on volunteer opportunities, and implemented a user-friendly form for interested members. Additionally, the chapter standardized its recruitment workflow by defining the roles of stakeholders, clarifying decision-making processes, and utilizing a dedicated volunteer recruitment Slack channel to foster greater collaboration within the board. Since its implementation, the chapter has received 63 volunteer applications and achieved an 85 percent or higher recruitment rate for open positions.

Content

YEAR: 2024

YEAR: 2024

Content

NEBRASKA CHAPTER: Special Projects Volunteer

NEBRASKA CHAPTER: Special Projects Volunteer

Content

SUMMARY: The Nebraska Chapter introduced a Special Projects Volunteer position to support large-scale initiatives beyond the scope of regular board roles, while also providing an entry point for teachers and professionals transitioning into the talent development roles. This initiative increased board engagement, built a pipeline of future board members, and enhanced chapter operations. Over two years, three major projects were completed: increasing member benefits and growing membership, successfully transitioning to Google for Nonprofits to streamline operations, and implementing ATD’s new branding. The program has also led to the retention of volunteers as full-time board members, reinforcing its value as a leadership development opportunity.

SUMMARY: The Nebraska Chapter introduced a Special Projects Volunteer position to support large-scale initiatives beyond the scope of regular board roles, while also providing an entry point for teachers and professionals transitioning into the talent development roles. This initiative increased board engagement, built a pipeline of future board members, and enhanced chapter operations. Over two years, three major projects were completed: increasing member benefits and growing membership, successfully transitioning to Google for Nonprofits to streamline operations, and implementing ATD’s new branding. The program has also led to the retention of volunteers as full-time board members, reinforcing its value as a leadership development opportunity.

Content

YEAR: 2024

YEAR: 2024

Content

PUGET SOUND CHAPTER: Volunteer Recruitment Strategy & Infrastructure

PUGET SOUND CHAPTER: Volunteer Recruitment Strategy & Infrastructure 

Content

SUMMARY: Beginning in 2020, the Puget Sound Chapter developed a structured recruitment process to improve the experience of potential volunteers. The chapter board established a dedicated volunteer recruiter position, created new materials to share information on volunteer opportunities, and implemented a user-friendly form for interested members. Additionally, the chapter standardized its recruitment workflow by defining the roles of stakeholders, clarifying decision-making processes, and utilizing a dedicated volunteer recruitment Slack channel to foster greater collaboration within the board. Since its implementation, the chapter has received 63 volunteer applications and achieved an 85 percent or higher recruitment rate for open positions.

SUMMARY: Beginning in 2020, the Puget Sound Chapter developed a structured recruitment process to improve the experience of potential volunteers. The chapter board established a dedicated volunteer recruiter position, created new materials to share information on volunteer opportunities, and implemented a user-friendly form for interested members. Additionally, the chapter standardized its recruitment workflow by defining the roles of stakeholders, clarifying decision-making processes, and utilizing a dedicated volunteer recruitment Slack channel to foster greater collaboration within the board. Since its implementation, the chapter has received 63 volunteer applications and achieved an 85 percent or higher recruitment rate for open positions. 

Content

YEAR : 2024

YEAR: 2024 

Content

BUFFALO NIAGARA CHAPTER: Marketing a Project-Based, Event-Planning Internship

BUFFALO NIAGARA CHAPTER: Marketing a Project-Based, Event-Planning Internship

Content

In 2022, the Buffalo Niagara Chapter recruited a college intern to support the planning and implementation of the chapter’s hybrid conference. The intern received membership in the chapter and 120 hours of work experience throughout the semester. They worked closely with the Special Projects Chair to support speaker coordination, conference logistics, social media and web design, and post-event assessment. To recruit for the position, the chapter developed a clear outline of how to best market the opportunity, including a clear description of the role, its benefits, and the desired candidate. The chapter also used several promotion techniques to reach its target demographic, such as posting in online databases, engaging with professional associations, and reaching out to local universities. As a result, the chapter conducted a successful conference with a high attendee satisfaction rate, increased its membership, and developed promising partnerships with local colleges and universities.

In 2022, the Buffalo Niagara Chapter recruited a college intern to support the planning and implementation of the chapter’s hybrid conference. The intern received membership in the chapter and 120 hours of work experience throughout the semester. They worked closely with the Special Projects Chair to support speaker coordination, conference logistics, social media and web design, and post-event assessment. To recruit for the position, the chapter developed a clear outline of how to best market the opportunity, including a clear description of the role, its benefits, and the desired candidate. The chapter also used several promotion techniques to reach its target demographic, such as posting in online databases, engaging with professional associations, and reaching out to local universities. As a result, the chapter conducted a successful conference with a high attendee satisfaction rate, increased its membership, and developed promising partnerships with local colleges and universities.

Content

YEAR: 2023

YEAR: 2023

Content

NEBRASKA CHAPTER: Train Your Board to Recruit!


NEBRASKA CHAPTER: Train Your Board to Recruit!

Content

In recent years, the Nebraska Chapter has experienced high annual volunteer turnover, especially among new board members who were less than one year into their term. In response to concerns around volunteer retention, the chapter designed and implemented a recruitment training for their board. The goal of this training was to enable board members to feel more confident in finding volunteers to serve on the board or in other chapter leadership positions. It also allowed the board time to share their motivation for volunteering, generate excitement for a return to in-person service, and standardize expectations around what it means to serve on the board and how to best prepare new board members for success. As a result of the new training process, the chapter has seen an almost 30% reduction in volunteer turnover and an increase in volunteer referrals from board members. The board even had to start a waitlist to join the board because of increased interested in volunteering.

In recent years, the Nebraska Chapter has experienced high annual volunteer turnover, especially among new board members who were less than one year into their term. In response to concerns around volunteer retention, the chapter designed and implemented a recruitment training for their board. The goal of this training was to enable board members to feel more confident in finding volunteers to serve on the board or in other chapter leadership positions. It also allowed the board time to share their motivation for volunteering, generate excitement for a return to in-person service, and standardize expectations around what it means to serve on the board and how to best prepare new board members for success. As a result of the new training process, the chapter has seen an almost 30% reduction in volunteer turnover and an increase in volunteer referrals from board members. The board even had to start a waitlist to join the board because of increased interested in volunteering.

Content

YEAR: 2022

YEAR: 2022

Content

KANSAS CITY CHAPTER: Annual Volunteer Social Media Campaign


KANSAS CITY CHAPTER: Annual Volunteer Social Media Campaign

Content

The Kansas City Chapter created a unique way to encourage chapter volunteers to share their new roles on LinkedIn. To celebrate the new volunteers and raise awareness for the chapter, they used Canva to design and provide a branded graphic to incoming board members and volunteers to post on LinkedIn. When new volunteers posted about their accomplishments, they also tagged the chapter. Due to this campaign, the chapter’s LinkedIn views increased rapidly by 575 percent and unique visitors by 425 percent. In the 30 days after, engagement on other chapter posts had increased by 348 percent, comments increased by 262 percent, and shares increased by 114 percent. Additionally, the chapter’s LinkedIn page gained 16 new followers, bringing the total number to 320.

The Kansas City Chapter created a unique way to encourage chapter volunteers to share their new roles on LinkedIn. To celebrate the new volunteers and raise awareness for the chapter, they used Canva to design and provide a branded graphic to incoming board members and volunteers to post on LinkedIn. When new volunteers posted about their accomplishments, they also tagged the chapter. Due to this campaign, the chapter’s LinkedIn views increased rapidly by 575 percent and unique visitors by 425 percent. In the 30 days after, engagement on other chapter posts had increased by 348 percent, comments increased by 262 percent, and shares increased by 114 percent. Additionally, the chapter’s LinkedIn page gained 16 new followers, bringing the total number to 320.

Content

YEAR: 2021

YEAR: 2021

Content

NEW YORK CITY: Using Associate Vice President (AVP) to Attract Volunteers and Succession Planning

NEW YORK CITY: Using Associate Vice President (AVP) to Attract Volunteers and Succession Planning

Content

SUMMARY: The New York City chapter developed a volunteer strategy to engage more members and shift volunteers to board members. The chapter created multiple associate vice president (AVP) roles to get those interested in volunteering involved in an entry-level volunteer position. AVPs assist a specific vice president with operations, administration, and logistics. The opportunity gives the AVP the ability to take ownership of projects and for vice presidents to include them in further leadership development opportunities. The chapter set up a clear and defined role description and expectations. They marketed the opportunity to its membership and received a lot of interest. Since the execution of the AVP volunteer strategy, several of the AVPs have moved into board positions.

SUMMARY: The New York City chapter developed a volunteer strategy to engage more members and shift volunteers to board members. The chapter created multiple associate vice president (AVP) roles to get those interested in volunteering involved in an entry-level volunteer position. AVPs assist a specific vice president with operations, administration, and logistics. The opportunity gives the AVP the ability to take ownership of projects and for vice presidents to include them in further leadership development opportunities. The chapter set up a clear and defined role description and expectations. They marketed the opportunity to its membership and received a lot of interest. Since the execution of the AVP volunteer strategy, several of the AVPs have moved into board positions.

Content

YEAR: 2020

YEAR: 2020

Content

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA CHAPTER: Networking Through Nonprofit Partnership

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA CHAPTER: Networking Through Nonprofit Partnership

Content

SUMMARY: Based on feedback from the chapter’s annual member survey, members suggested partnering with nonprofit organizations for a volunteer and networking opportunity. The board worked with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to set up an event that provided both organizations exposure to community members. Fifteen people participated in the two-hour event, and the chapter provided refreshments.

SUMMARY: Based on feedback from the chapter’s annual member survey, members suggested partnering with nonprofit organizations for a volunteer and networking opportunity. The board worked with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to set up an event that provided both organizations exposure to community members. Fifteen people participated in the two-hour event, and the chapter provided refreshments.

Content

YEAR: 2018

YEAR: 2018

Content

PIKES PEAK CHAPTER: Bringing ALC to Pikes Peak ATD Members

PIKES PEAK CHAPTER: Bringing ALC to Pikes Peak ATD Members

Content

SUMMARY: To bring information from the 2017 ATD Chapter Leaders Conference (ALC) back to the chapter and deliver conference value, the chapter leaders who attended created a web-based compilation of information using Storify. The conference Storify shared key points from each session with chapter members who did not attend and demonstrated value of attendance at ALC to prospective board members. The Storify increased the chapter’s Twitter reach and momentum during and after the conference as well as spurred new programming ideas for next year.

SUMMARY: To bring information from the 2017 ATD Chapter Leaders Conference (ALC) back to the chapter and deliver conference value, the chapter leaders who attended created a web-based compilation of information using Storify. The conference Storify shared key points from each session with chapter members who did not attend and demonstrated value of attendance at ALC to prospective board members. The Storify increased the chapter’s Twitter reach and momentum during and after the conference as well as spurred new programming ideas for next year.

Content

YEAR: 2018

YEAR: 2018

Content

CHARLOTTE CHAPTER: Volunteer Fair

CHARLOTTE CHAPTER: Volunteer Fair

Content

SUMMARY: The Charlotte Chapter Board of Directors recognized the need for more resources to help effectively manage the chapter. The board also believed having members actively participate in chapter activities would increase the likelihood of their renewing and provide “bench strength” for future board roles. To address these the needs, the chapter created a Volunteer Fair held during the networking portion of a regular chapter meeting. The fair resulted in ten new committee members enlisting to help support the chapter.

SUMMARY: The Charlotte Chapter Board of Directors recognized the need for more resources to help effectively manage the chapter. The board also believed having members actively participate in chapter activities would increase the likelihood of their renewing and provide “bench strength” for future board roles. To address these the needs, the chapter created a Volunteer Fair held during the networking portion of a regular chapter meeting. The fair resulted in ten new committee members enlisting to help support the chapter.

Content

YEAR: 2014

YEAR: 2014

Content

BATON ROUGE CHAPTER: Volunteer Recruitment

BATON ROUGE CHAPTER: Volunteer Recruitment

Content

SUMMARY: The Baton Rouge Chapter traditionally experienced high involvement from board members, but had few consistent non-board volunteers. To help encourage and promote volunteer opportunities within the chapter, chapter leadership decided to identify and promote specific volunteer opportunities within the chapter. The chapter developed a Volunteer Opportunity Information Sheet, which describes the opportunity, outlines realistic time commitments required for the opportunity, and aligns the opportunity with competencies that are used.

SUMMARY: The Baton Rouge Chapter traditionally experienced high involvement from board members, but had few consistent non-board volunteers. To help encourage and promote volunteer opportunities within the chapter, chapter leadership decided to identify and promote specific volunteer opportunities within the chapter. The chapter developed a Volunteer Opportunity Information Sheet, which describes the opportunity, outlines realistic time commitments required for the opportunity, and aligns the opportunity with competencies that are used.

Content

YEAR: 2013

YEAR: 2013

Content

MARYLAND CHAPTER : Leveraging Wild Apricot to Identify Volunteers

MARYLAND CHAPTER: Leveraging Wild Apricot to Identify Volunteers

Content

SUMMARY: The Maryland Chapter included a question on their membership application that asks new members if they are interested in being contacted about serving as a volunteer for the chapter. Using Wild Apricot, chapter leaders set up a query that quickly identified all members who answered “yes” so they could be followed up with immediately.

SUMMARY: The Maryland Chapter included a question on their membership application that asks new members if they are interested in being contacted about serving as a volunteer for the chapter. Using Wild Apricot, chapter leaders set up a query that quickly identified all members who answered “yes” so they could be followed up with immediately.

Content

YEAR : 2012

YEAR: 2012

Content

GREATER CLEVELAND CHAPTER: Chapter Points Program

GREATER CLEVELAND CHAPTER: Chapter Points Program

Content

SUMMARY: To encourage volunteer engagement, the chapter instituted a Chapter Points program four years ago. Members earn points for attending programs, volunteering for different committees or sponsoring events. At the end of the year, the top five volunteers are recognized with certificates and tokens. The volunteer who has accumulated the most points during the year is awarded a certificate that can be redeemed for any ASTD certificate or education program.

SUMMARY: To encourage volunteer engagement, the chapter instituted a Chapter Points program four years ago. Members earn points for attending programs, volunteering for different committees or sponsoring events. At the end of the year, the top five volunteers are recognized with certificates and tokens. The volunteer who has accumulated the most points during the year is awarded a certificate that can be redeemed for any ASTD certificate or education program.

Content

YEAR: 2012

YEAR: 2012

Content

MIDLANDS CHAPTER: Identifying Volunteers

MIDLANDS CHAPTER: Identifying Volunteers

Content

SUMMARY: The Midlands Chapter shared their best practice methods of identifying quality volunteers to serve in chapter leadership positions. This process addressed the need that board directors and committee chairs regularly had when trying to increase the chapter’s volunteer pool each year.

SUMMARY: The Midlands Chapter shared their best practice methods of identifying quality volunteers to serve in chapter leadership positions. This process addressed the need that board directors and committee chairs regularly had when trying to increase the chapter’s volunteer pool each year.

Content

YEAR: 2012

YEAR: 2012

Content

CENTRAL INDIANA CHAPTER: VIP (Very Involved Person) Bucks!

CENTRAL INDIANA CHAPTER: VIP (Very Involved Person) Bucks!

Content

SUMMARY: The VIP Bucks program was developed to encourage participation in chapter events, especially participation in committees. Members can use their VIP Bucks to bid on silent auction items at events and pay for monthly programs.

SUMMARY: The VIP Bucks program was developed to encourage participation in chapter events, especially participation in committees. Members can use their VIP Bucks to bid on silent auction items at events and pay for monthly programs.

Content

YEAR: 2008

YEAR: 2008