Tips for turning a vacation into a volunteer opportunity
Digital MarketingWhen most people consider the idea of taking a vacation, they tend to think of one word: relaxation. With today’s busy lifestyle, a vacation offers much-needed relief from the daily hustle and bustle of the corporate world. For many, the goals of the vacation are simple: get as far away from reality as humanly possible, leave all work-related problems and stressors behind, and enjoy free time relaxing with family and friends. While many Americans still prefer the more “traditional” type of vacation, a relatively new trend is gaining popularity in the travel industry today: voluntourism.
What is voluntourism? As its name implies, voluntourism combines vacations and volunteering in the destination visited. Instead of extravagant getaways to the beach, some Americans share their time with people in need. In fact, according to some recent studies, the number of organizations offering volunteer vacations has doubled in recent years. One of the many great things about volunteering is that people of all ages and walks of life can get involved and offer something unique to the cause.
For those who are not very interested in traveling abroad or simply want to volunteer their time to causes within the United States, there are many volunteer opportunities that exist right here in your own backyard. The US government has a site (serve.gov) dedicated to helping Americans connect with volunteer opportunities. Websites like these offer a starting point for those interested in dedicating their time and efforts to a cause like yours.
In this article, we cover some helpful tips for those interested in launching a volunteer event.
Keeping it affordable
Keeping expenses low can make a volunteer trip even more enjoyable. Every effort should be made to reduce the expenses incurred by your volunteers. Think creatively about the ways your organization can partner with other local nonprofits and organizations to reduce costs. For example, contact local restaurants or churches to see if they would be willing to provide free or reduced-price meals for their volunteers. Ideas like these are great ways to cut costs and make the experience that much more enjoyable for your participants. After all, providing a memorable experience will help build a lasting relationship with the people involved in your cause and make it much more likely that they will return in the future.
Research fun things to do in the area
Your location may have more to offer than you think. Don’t dismiss your organization as a potential volunteer destination just because you think you live in a boring city. People often overlook the many interesting sites in an area. Do your research. Order travel guides for your state, search the internet, and maybe even take a road trip to explore your location with an open mind. Recreation parks, monuments, historic sites, and even sporting events are great attractions to consider. Remember to look beyond your backyard; You can find something of interest within a couple of hours from your location.
Develop a strategy for managing volunteers
Volunteer vacations are quite different from normal volunteer opportunities. With volunteers traveling from different states (maybe even countries) and staying several weeks in a row, a lack of organization on your part can quickly result in a negative experience for participants. For this reason, it is important to consider how your organization will manage, track, and communicate with volunteers. If your nonprofit still relies solely on a paper event management system, it may be time to consider upgrading to an electronic volunteer management system. With an electronic system, your organization can post volunteer opportunities online, allowing participants to browse and register for events on their own. Nonprofits around the world are turning to cloud-based systems to reduce labor and administrative costs, as well as streamline the entire volunteer management process.
Promote your volunteer vacation
A key step in shaping your volunteer vacation is developing an effective marketing plan. How will you spread your event? Marketing is about finding creative ways to sell your product, or in this case your “vacation,” to your target audience. Put yourself in the shoes of those you are trying to attract. Think of the things they would draw you to a volunteer opportunity. When designing an online advertisement or promotional brochure, remember to include important information such as: required skills (if any), duration of the event, and any additional arrangements that have been made to reduce participants’ costs (i.e. food, accommodation ). Also, include a list of area attractions so volunteers can plan their free time in advance.
If you take a moment to think outside of the box, your organization can easily find inexpensive or even free ways to promote your volunteer vacation. For example, networking with organizations outside of your area is an effective (and free) method that can help attract people from a different geographic region to your event. Also, be sure to promote your opportunity on your own website and check for the ability to appear on other volunteer sites. Consider using social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkdIn to get noticed, too.
Get started with your Voluntour event
When well organized and strategically planned, volunteer vacations benefit everyone involved. Providing a positive and memorable experience can help your organization develop long-lasting relationships with volunteers and keep them coming back for more.