| David Hall |
This is a difficult one. I think sometimes there has to be an added incentive other than the honour of supporting your club in whatever capacity you can. I think it is fantastic that we have as many people as we do willing to volunteer in a variety of ways. However I do sense that whilst we do get new people from time to time it does seem to be a lot of the same faces doing the work. I'd like to spend more time finding out more about our existing volunteer base, what they do and their own thoughts on how we can bring in additional volunteers where necessary and shake things up if necessary. I know from experience that once you volunteer for something it is difficult to stand down even when fatigue sets in and people get to rely on those same faces… |
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| Mark Davis |
This is vital. We need to communicate better as to what it's like to be a volunteer. We should explain what's in it for volunteers (getting to know more people, CV building, satisfaction of a job well done, etc).
Not a new idea, but let's have a register of people with particular expertise so that we don't have to press-gang the same people for the same tasks every time, and so that each working group doesn't need to separately develop its own separate network of people who can do particular things.
I think the club's got better at making volunteers feel appreciated. Fans have to do their bit on this too of course. I think we need to recognise that volunteers will come and go (and hopefully come back again) as their life circumstances change, and not see that as a bad thing.
I do quite a lot for the Trust but it's very seldom that my fundraising duties prevent me from watching a game. I feel a bit uneasy that those fans who are stewards miss so much of the game. In the medium to long term, I do wonder whether roles that prevent people from watching the game should be paid.
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| Nicole Hammond |
I suppose that depends on what volunteers are needed! I'd want to know if we're facing a crisis of volunteering, or are likely to. I know a review of this was carried out a few years ago, I'd like to see the results of that, and maybe carry out a new review if it is required. To answer the question, I suppose a number of people will never want to volunteer, and that's fine. We should focus on those who have something to offer but don't feel that they're needed or are too shy to come forward. Something as simple as handing out leaflets, maybe? I used to do a lot of that back in the bad old days! |
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| Kate Terriere |
That's a difficult one! We have a wonderfully devoted and committed fan-base and so far have been very lucky with the generosity of the volunteers. I don't know what specific things could be done other than promoting communication with the fans and encouraging as many people as possible to get involved and 'do their bit'. Perhaps if the different roles and responsibilities of positions at the club were identified then others may feel it easier to volunteer rather than a blanket "please help"? In addition, if jobs could be shared that might ease the perceived 'burden' that might be putting some people off. |
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| Kris Stewart |
The areas in which I have and will continue to try to get more people involved on a volunteer basis have been with the board - encouraging people to stand for election, and increasing the number of people working on the secretarial side, to lighten the load for each.
I hope that working to improve the operation of the board will ultimately help to improve the way the whole organisation works, and thereby encourage more people to join in.
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| Lee Willett |
This candidate has not submitted a response to this question |
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| Stephen Cooles |
I am not sure that the club needs more volunteers, but rather needs to ensure those that do volunteer are well looked after and see the benefit of the time and expertise that they give. Having good group leaders is I believe key to this, and I believe the club should ensure that they are clearly briefed and well supported.
I also think that the role of the volunteers could be more clearly explained (for instance, via the clubs website) and details of what they do and who to contact more easily available.
Other ideas that could be looked at would include an "open day" where potential volunteers are shown around, and talked to by experienced helpers.
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| Tom Adam |
I’ve been successful in bringing in volunteers in the past for the Stadium WG. The trick is to identify people who have the skills we need and then cajole them into coming to a meeting. Once they see what we are doing and how exciting the projects are, they are usually persuaded!
The Board should avoid getting in too deep and instead should set Management Committee objectives to attract and motivate volunteers. Too often Board Members have wanted to be hands on where what we need are good ideas and some clear objectives. That’s what the Board is for, and for offering expert advice to support Management Committee in its work.
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| Simon Bath |
I believe that the way to get more people to volunteer, is to convey more publically, the great spirit that resides in our volunteers and the spread the message about just how rewarding the process of volunteering for AFC Wimbledon/ The Don's Trust really is. |
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| David Growns |
There are playground tales of people being 'ignored' when they put their hand up to volunteer for something (I know - it's happened to me). There is also the problem that people will tend to be taken for granted the longer they do a particular job, although I know a lot of effort has now gone into this (such as the sponsored volunteers awayday which is a fantastic idea). Volunteers are such a valuable resource within the club. Didn't Erik work out a while ago that volunteers do over £100,000 of work ?
Communication is part of the problem. There is no one place you can go to which shows what roles are available, what skills are needed, what the roles involve, who you can talk to who is already doing the job.
Given how much money we avoid having to spend - thanks to volunteers, I want to set the club the task of coming up with more ideas for volunteer recruitment and retention and bring them to the Board for approval.
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| Damian Woodward |
I don’t see this as the biggest thing I can bring to the table, however what I think I can bring is the ability to take a look at the complete structure we need going forward; help decide which roles are likely to be full time professional (key off the pitch as well as on it for progress!) and then have a clear ideas of what we need as volunteers. We then should make it clear to all members that these roles are as key to our success as anything else we do and make sure that there is a collective responsibility for progress based on everyone doing their bit. |
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Christopher Gibbs |
By asking them. I want to establish and publish a list of volunteers' roles including the required skills and time commitment. I think potentially excellent volunteers are put off by not knowing who to contact and the risk of being offered tasks that they are not necessarily suited to. |
