Refreshing Enthusiasm
The satisfaction of serving behind the counter in our community shop is, I think, still pretty strong in our 8 month-old venture, especially since we have completed a major refurbishment and extension of the premises we took over last April with the help of a large grant from the county council rural regeneration grant scheme.
However, the long dark days of winter are upon us, and I wonder whether we will sustain the enthusiasm of our volunteers, and what to do next to stimulate it.
Any ideas?
Dear Tony,
Here are some thoughts from Tackley shop open since early 2004. We like to say that we have 50 volunteers involved but in reality at any one time there are perhaps 25 or so active and some are very active indeed. All are valuable.
It is interesting to reflect that since we opened nearly 6 years ago there has been quite a turnover of volunteers as well as some tremendous faithfuls who are still very much involved. So it is important to always be on the look out for new volunteers - and the personal approach always wins hands down compared to the more impersonal method such as a notice in the village mag.
Developing a strong volunteer and staff team spirit pays dividends - we have a couple of parties each year and sometimes include a quiz or game that is a fun way of improving shop knowledge. A monthly/quarterly newsletter helps too.
Job satisfaction is important; enabling volunteers to carve out a role for themselves that plays to their strengths and gives them job satisfaction is worthwhile.
My final tip is to make sure everyone feels appreciated and is thanked often. Easy said sometimes forgotten.
I am sure others will have lots of ideas too.
Best wishes,
Gill
Hi Tony
I would reply in the same way as Gill. Important to make sure everyone is appreciated and give them their own area of the shop to be in charge of/improve. Here at Blockley we try and 'recruit' all the time. We try and 'capture' the good people so we aren't desperate and then have to take the first person that comes through the door.
After the xmas period things will go quiet and it is hard to keep the people going. I would recommend a new project for evryone to get their teeth into.I find, however, that the best way of keeping up morale is for the person in charge to be extra bubbly and energetic and this does rub off on everyone else.
Good luck I'm sure you'll be fine. You're right though I think it is one of the most important things to think about
Chris
Blockley