Once you have determined some of the positions and projects you want volunteers to complete, you will have an idea of who you want to volunteer. Start by making a list of the types of volunteers you desire.

• When do you need volunteers? Months, days, times.
• How long do you need volunteers?
• Do you want individuals or groups?
• Do you need energetic helpers (figure 15) who can easily learn a task or skill?
• Do you need skilled professionals?
• Do you need local volunteers or volunteers with special skills from outside the area?

The volunteers you are seeking may come to you on their own or you may have to recruit them. If you already have interested volunteers, see the section on evaluating interested volunteers.

Figure 15—The Mule Deer foundation volunteers take
down fencing during the Rosaschi Ranch fence
removal project for the wildlife program. Courtesy
of Leeann Murphy, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

Recruiting Volunteers

As a volunteer coordinator, you will need to recruit volunteers. Make sure you target diverse groups and populations for your program (figure 16). The United States has people of all ages and from many different places and backgrounds. It is important you don't inadvertently leave out segments of the population when recruiting volunteers. The one thing you can do before you start recruiting to increase your volunteer base and the diversity of your program is to really get to know your area's population. By getting to know the people you serve, you can more specifically tailor your recruiting efforts to reach every segment of your population, including groups who do not traditionally volunteer. For example, if you have a large immigrant population in your area, it might be helpful to translate your advertisements into their native language so it is easier for the population to read and understand.

Figure 16—Local volunteers help with a nest box,
a wildlife opening and structure maintenance project
for the wildlife program. Courtesy of Art Henderson,
Talladega National Forest

Recruiting volunteers can be easy in some areas and pose challenges in others. Rural forests or units often have a hard time recruiting because of their small population base. They tend to rely on volunteer groups such as Backcountry Horsemen and scouts. Urban forests or units may find it easier to recruit volunteers because so many people live near Federal lands. Coordinators have found ways to recruit volunteers from both urban and rural areas. You may have to try several techniques to find the ones that work best in your area.

One way to recruit volunteers is to post your volunteer positions and projects annually in a volunteer opportunity guide. This can be printed as a handout or posted on your forest, station, or district Internet site (make sure your Web sites are accessible). You can also post your volunteer opportunities on http://www.volunteer.gov/Gov/. To create an opportunity on this Web site, see appendix B.

Numerous conservation-minded organizations such as Friends of the Forest, the American Hiking Society, and the International Mountain Biking Association can help you locate volunteers suited to your projects, events, and positions. Organizations such as these already have a strong following of volunteers. You can match them with your volunteer opportunities by advertising in the organizations' publications, on their Internet sites, or by having them send a mailing to their member e-mail lists. For example, you can post a volunteer event on the Friends of the Forest Web site by going to http://www.becomeafriend.org/volunteer/organize/profile.php and following the instructions. If you are specifically looking for site hosts, you can advertise in magazines such as Workamper News, Family Motor Coaching, and Highways (Good Sam Club).

Volunteer opportunities can be posted as community service announcements in local newspapers. You can also post flyers on community bulletin boards at grocery stores, laundromats, and at local colleges or universities. Forest Service offices and visitor information signs also are good locations to post volunteer information. Another approach would be to invite a reporter to cover a volunteer event for the local television or newspaper. Developing media relationships can increase community interest and attract potential volunteers.

Contacting community organizations and participating in community events also can generate volunteers. You can discuss your program at meetings of garden clubs, senior citizens, and civic groups. Providing information at fairs and local events also can help you reach a wide segment of your community (figure 17).

Figure 17—Presentation at the Moreno Valley High
School Environmental Fair, a San Jacinto interpretive
programs project for the NatureWatch program. Courtesy
of Heidi Seller, San Bernardino National Forest

Current volunteers are your best advocates for recruiting new volunteers.

It is also a good idea to approach some businesses and make them aware of volunteer opportunities. Businesses may be looking for ways to get their employees involved in volunteer opportunities or they may be looking for team-building exercises.

Once you have recruited volunteers, you need to keep them engaged. A newsletter or e-mail message can help keep volunteers up to date on activities and opportunities. You may need to call volunteers once in a while to discuss how the program is going and invite them to an upcoming project. A personal invitation goes a long way in keeping volunteers engaged.

Preparing an Advertisement for Volunteers

When preparing an advertisement, follow the traditional news format of: Who, What, When, Where, and Why.

• Who–Indicate the type of volunteers you want to recruit and the skills they need to have.
  
  
• What–Give a detailed description of the project or volunteer position. Be specific about what will be provided and any items volunteers need to bring or supply (figure 18). For a field project, you may want to indicate that volunteers need to bring a jacket, long pants, ankle-high boots, gloves, a day pack, plenty of food and water, sunscreen, bug repellant, sun hat, rain gear, trowel, and toilet paper. You may mention what the Forest Service will provide—for instance, hardhats, map, communications, tools, trash bags, and a first aid kit.
  
  
• When–Indicate the months, days, and time you need volunteers.
  
  
• Where–Describe the project locations.
  
  
• Why–Give a brief reason why the service needs to be done and why volunteers are important.

Finally, include your name, phone number, and e-mail address so volunteers can contact you.

Figure 18—Volunteers watch for eagles at Lake
Hemet, a San Jacinto Mountains bald eagle counts
project for the NatureWatch program. Courtesy
of Heidi Seller, San Bernardino National Forest

The Forest Service Volunteer Brochure

The "Volunteering with the Forest Service" brochure is available electronically at: http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/rhwr/yvh/. This standard brochure can be downloaded and tailored to your unit. Large type, Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese versions are also available.