Effective and Less Effective Alerts

Below are some examples of actual alerts sent by non-profits through WomenOnCall.org. Some are more effective than others and have received greater response. We find the more time you invest upfront and the more detail you include, the better response and subsequent volunteer relationship you will have.

Effective alerts tend to use professional skills, provide as much detail as possible, include timeframes and explain needs clearly. Examples:

"Graphic Designer: Perfect opportunity for someone with a talent for graphic design. Possible projects include developing posters and brochures and assisting with our marketing materials. Time commitment: Project-based or participate on our Community Relations Committee."

Why is this a good alert?

1. It describes professional skills needed – a graphic designer.
2. It shares the goal of the project (posters, brochures, marketing materials).
3. It includes a time commitment and options for longer or shorter commitments. This opportunity can also be done virtually.

"Are you interested in helping to shape a young girl's life and enjoy playing golf? Then our Foundation's event is just for you! This was created to show young girls how they can use the sport of golf as a vehicle to enhance their future career. The event is to be held on Saturday, September 29th at [place] in [city], IL. We are contacting you for help in identifying business professionals in specific fields to participate. If you can help us identify women who would be interested in participating, please feel free to contact XYZ."

Why is this a good alert?

1. The task uses professional skills (audience development: identifying business professionals in specific fields and women who would be interested in participating).
2. It includes a specific timeframe for event which allows volunteers to know how long they have to help identify these audiences. This is another example of an opportunity that can be done virtually.

Less effective alerts tend to not include enough detail, are missing information or don't use professional skills. For example:

"Need someone to put together a big event for August? Can you get a party together that fast?"

Why doesn't this work?

1. There's not enough detail.
2. What is the timeframe? Is the event at the beginning or end of August?
3. What skills are needed (concept development, event management, audience outreach, RSVP, fundraising, inviting speakers, etc.)?

"Typist needed immediately. Must have fax number where we can fax pages to you and you email them back to us."

Why doesn't this work?

1. This does describe the task at hand, but not enough detail is provided.
2. Approximately how many pages need to be typed? It could be two, it could be 200!