Hi,
I am wondering what is the best way to go about finding and getting volunteers for our hospice organization? I am actively trying to find ways to obtain volunteers for hospice, but nothing seems to be working. We only have a few and could really use 20-30 volunteers since we service such a wide range area in Chicago.
Thank you for your help!
Ellen
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by Rashani Rea & Kathy Douglas
Those who companion suffering daily, such as hospice nurses and volunteers, will surely appreciate this beautiful work. With 62 original art collages by Rashani Réa, five beautiful chapters by Kathy Douglas, and a foreword by Jean Watson, this exquisite book is a peaceful refuge for contemplation, inquiry, reflection and inspiration for those who traverse the joys and sorrows of nursing.
Kathy Douglas, RN, MPH-HA is a nationally recognized nurse leader, filmmaker and entrepreneur.
Rashani Réa is a prolific artist and musician, a creatrice of sanctuaries and a respected spiritual mentor.
“This is a beloved book and beyond a book. It is an evocative, poetic, ecstatic, and inspirited sacred, experiential calling. A calling to you--YES, YOU.”
— Jean Watson, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN, Living Legend (AAN)
“Those who companion suffering daily need to turn inward to metabolize what they have witnessed. This exquisite book, filled with beautiful images and poetic wise words, is the inspiration and support needed to grow a wise heart.”
— Frank Ostaseski, founder and director of the Metta Institute and author of The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully
“In this unique time of the COVID-19 pandemic, this book should be considered a tribute to the tremendous courage being displayed by nurses around the world. There is much wisdom conveyed throughout by those who have been there serving others with such grace.”
— Greg Schneider President, HVA, co-author of The Changing Face of Hospice Volunteering in Hospice and Palliative Care
Replies
Hi Kelly,
Thank you so very much for all of your very useful and valuable information. I have not heard about the Mers Goodwill, but I will be sure to research it to see what I find out. I have been looking into posting at churches, and even sponsoring programs at Senior Centers and Nursing homes. We have a tough time encouraging people to volunteer, but mostly just a hard time trying to find volunteers. So I do appreciate all of your help! Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post and respond to it as well with such a vast wealth of knowledge.
This helps a ton!
Thank you again,
Ellen Lerner
Hi Ellen,
I have found some of our volunteers by going to churches in the counties you serve. Ask to do a volunteer presentation to their groups, also speak to the office and ask them to post in their bulletin. There is also a program with Mers Goodwill, not the Goodwill store. You should be able to find it in your phone book. They usually place an office in each county. This is a workforce program that has people looking for employment. The individuals in the program need to meet a required amount of volunteer hours per week. They will usually fit you with those looking in the medical field. I have had several from this program and have helped them find employment with nursing facilities. The Mers Goodwill youth program is an awesome program to tap into also. I have groups of young adults who go into nursing facilities that we have patients in and they help with activities and do outside gardening. The nursing facilities love it. Contact your local community organizations and senior citizen centers also. These are great opportunities to speak to groups and sign up some new volunteers.
Hope this helps some.
Kelly Crowe
Hi Frances,
Thank you very much for taking the time to respond to my question. Your information is very useful and helpful. I will check it all out and hopefully find the solution I am looking for.
Thank you again,
Ellen Lerner
Ellen, you might be interested in this research on what motivates volunteers:
1) Help others and learn
2) Foster social relationships
3) Feel better
4) Pursue career goals
Why is this information useful? An analysis of this data can help volunteer coordinators in their approaches when recruiting. Younger volunteers reported stronger career motivations. Retired and unemployed volunteers reported stronger social motivations. Emphasizing service, varied learning experiences involved, and potential for social networking will encourage others to consider participating in hospice volunteer opportunities.
Hi Ellen:
I would suggest using the search capabilities on the Hospice Community Forum (HCF). If you type "recruiting" in the search box at the upper right of the HCF home page, you will see a number of articles and discussions about the recruiting.
You can also use the Hospice Volunteer Association's National Hospice Document Repository -- the largest free public access repository on articles and resources relating to hospice. If you go the NHDR Article Search page and enter "recruiting volunteers", you will see numerous articles relating to this topic.
Hope that helps.
Greg Schneider
President, HVA
HCF Creator