Volunteers are vital to the successful running of any sports club. However with clubs struggling to recruit new members in a culture where more people just want to ‘pay and play’ rather than join and become fully involved in a club, it is also becoming increasingly difficult to recruit and retain volunteers. In a recent survey carried out by the Scottish Executive into the sustainability of sports clubs in Scotland (August 2006), clubs suggested that it is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit volunteers due to: time constraints, difficulty supporting and managing volunteers, added pressure from legislation and costs (both to the volunteer and the club).

How to use this online resource

This online resource provides information and templates to address the specific needs of your club, with the purpose of helping you to recruit and retain more volunteers.

The framework suggested is a simple step-by-step process that will allow you to identify areas of your club that need to be strengthened and create an action plan to address them.

Start at the volunteer health check and then click on the relevant areas for advice/ templates.

The areas considered essential to read are

• Where are you now?
• Planning for volunteer involvement
• Do you know how willing your members are to get involved?
• Do you have an action plan for volunteering?

IIf you would like more help or support with the management of your volunteers please contact us on 0131 225 0630.