Recruitment toolkit

It’s easier to keep good volunteers than find new ones.

The resources we’ve provided can be used to thank your current volunteers and encourage them to stay on or expand their responsibilities. Call out all your volunteers on a social media post. Send thank you emails after each season. However you do it, your volunteers will appreciate the affirmation and be more likely to stay.

Cultivate the relationships you already have.

Saying “thanks” can go a long way. Make sure you always thank your volunteers and use your thank you as an opportunity to ask them to become more involved. 

Use your passion to make the ask.

Why are you a coach for Special Olympics Massachusetts? Your answer to this question is the best place to start when reaching out to new volunteers. Explaining why you’re passionate about Special Olympics is sure to spark an interest in others.

Ask yourself where you go for information in your community.

Is it a community Facebook page? A bulletin board at a local business? List Special Olympics Massachusetts volunteer opportunities in the same place where you go to get your own information.

Use social media to tell your own story.

Share your Special Olympics Massachusetts story with your friends and family on social media. Use a photo from your time volunteering and speak from your heart. Give information on how others can get involved. When they see how passionate you are, people are more likely to want to join in.

Familiarize yourself with Special Olympics Massachusett's mission.

You don’t want to get stuck on an easy question. Make sure you know a little bit about what Special Olympics Massachusetts offers to both coaches and athletes so you can address related queries. Here’s a great list of quick facts about SOMA.

Partner with an athlete.

Your athletes are powerful ambassadors for the importance of coaches and volunteers. Consider using their words, experiences and stories to show why they need good mentors, teachers, trainers and helpers. Get quotes and photos from athletes on your team to use in your materials—or better yet, take them with you when you make the ask!

Write up an FAQ for your team.

You’ve heard it all, but some questions keep coming up. Create a flyer, email, social media post or other form of communication addressing common questions.

Find Volunteers:

Schools – athletic or activities directors, coaches, National Honor Society advisors, club leaders

Universities – athletic or activities directors, intramural sports, coaches, club leaders

Parks & recreation departments

Community education advertisements

Community sports leagues

Civic service groups – Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus, Rotary Clubs, Lions, National Charity League, Kiwanis, Optimists

Businesses/companies – hang a flyer at fitness centers, coffee shops, breweries, local businesses or companies

Families and friends

Social media