In order to recruit and train volunteers, the Literacy Outreach Centre has developed a promotional and training plan that attracts and supports volunteer tutors by offering free Tutor Training Workshops, which all volunteer tutors are encouraged to attend.

How to Recruit Volunteers

For any of the following ideas to be successful you must remember:

Some of these ideas may be more appropriate than others for your community.

  1. Call local radio stations and ask them to run public service announcements (PSAs). Think about the type of people in your community who might be willing to volunteer and what type of radio station they might listen to.
  2. Ask your local newspaper to run a free announcement. If you already have a program running, see if you can get the local paper to write a story about you and include the fact that you are looking for volunteers—call up the editor. (If you have the time and energy, stage some kind of event—sometimes the “gimmickier” the better—to attract local media: a poetry slam or a “read-a-thon”, or something like that.)
  3. Set up recruiting/information tables at stores, community hall, local fairs, etc.—arrange with the manager/organizers, of course. Display posters with colourful photos from your program and have informational flyers (with your phone number, naturally!) to give out.

Sample PSA:

“Literacy tutoring is one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences you can have. When you help someone learn to read, or to speak and read English, you enable that individual to take advantage of a new world of opportunities. Simply put: Literacy changes lives. If you would like to become a volunteer literacy tutor, please contact Petra at The Literacy Outreach Centre at 920-3016.”