Connect-Active: An Innovative Recruitment Model for Potential Volunteers in Nonprofit Organizations

The challenge to improve the recruitment and sustainability of a strong volunteer force within nonprofit organizations gains momentum at a time when the impact of a worldwide ageing population has the potential to stretch community services, which are heavily reliant on this free resource, to the limit. Adroit management practice becomes critical within a complex environment in which a one-size-fits-all strategy is obsolete. This study of a faith-based hybrid organization in Australia uses a cross-disciplinary, multidimensional approach to develop the connect-active model (CAM) for volunteer recruitment strategy. Facilitated by a visual tool, the model depicts the interrelated and multi-faceted elements impacting on the initial volunteering process: recruitment. The proposed chapter will discuss an innovative and individualized approach to volunteer recruitment with the aim of increasing volunteer numbers in nonprofit organizations.