MMCS Events How to motivate your volunteers - A volunteer’s perspective

Article Information

  • Posted By : Marina Vatav
  • Posted On : Aug 27, 2015
  • Views : 2078
  • Category : Planning
  • Description : Iris M. Rivera has been volunteering for the Washington, DC Performing and Visual Arts College Fair for over five years. As a College & Career Specialist at Chantilly High School in Fairfax County, Virginia, Iris is very passionate about providing students with education opportunities.

Overview

  • Iris M. RiveraIris M. Rivera

    Iris M. Rivera has been volunteering for the Washington, DC Performing and Visual Arts College Fair for over five years. As a College & Career Specialist at Chantilly High School in Fairfax County, Virginia, Iris is very passionate about providing students with education opportunities.

    Organized by the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the Performing and Visual Arts College Fair takes place in 21 locations around the country and brings together over 20,000 students and tens of colleges and universities.

    Iris has been involved in promoting the Washington DC Fair in Fairfax County, as well as handling setup and other logistics during the event. She has been reaching out to high schools in her area, arts organizations, teachers, students, and parents to let everyone know about the Fair's opportunities. She is also encouraging the colleges that she comes across to register for the event.

    Iris shared what motivates her to volunteer every year.

    The passion for the event's mission

    Iris believes that it's her passion for the fair's mission that is at the core of her work as a volunteer. She sees the impact of her contribution, and that's what drives her to continue volunteering year after year.

    "The Fair is a really great place for a student to start a journey of self discovery. They will have an opportunity to learn about schools that they may have never heard of. I truly believe in this fair," says Iris.

    Find passionate people that resonate with your mission and invite them to be part of your team of volunteers.

    Foster Networking Opportunities

    Being part of an event is a great opportunity to meet new people. Communicate it to your volunteers and put them out there.

    "One of the things that I get out of it is that I get to meet representatives from all these schools. Relationships are built. That is so powerful," noted Iris.

    Keep your volunteers in the loop

    To keep your volunteers interested throughout the year, let them know what is going on at any point.

    "Keep them motivated by keeping them up to date with what is going on with the fair, because a fair of this magnitude takes months of planning ahead," said Iris.

    Give Credit

    Giving credit is extremely important. Publicly acknowledging the contribution of your volunteers will make them feel proud to be part of your team and your mission.

    "It's important to give credit, maybe on the program flyer you can say, “We thank these volunteers”, and naming the volunteers or the institution they are coming from. This way they are also getting publicity for their organization or high school," said Iris.

     

    Although Iris gets busier and busier as the DC Performing Arts College Fair approaches on October 18th, she is looking forward to it.

    "I'm genuinely excited about this fair because I know what a student and an exhibitor will get out of it. And I believe this will help," shared Iris.