If your shop relies on volunteers to function smoothly, what are you doing to motivate them? That’s a standard question I ask when I do non-profit store consulting.
All too often, the answer I hear to that question is
“Not much.”
The problem is, that thrift store, non-profit resale shops, even NFP consignment operations tend to forget that not everyone knows what you do, why you do it, what a volunteer could do, and what volunteering actually entails (pun intended, see below.)
To turn “I don’t think so” in
“Yes, I’d love to, when can I start”
you might try some information like this. Online, in your mailings, a handout in your thrift shop, a press release to media and local bloggers. All great ways to get your mission, and volunteers’ part in fulfilling it, out.
Having a once-a-month-or-so Introduction to Volunteering event is a great idea as well. Do you do this? Do you think it would help recruit volunteers?
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
[…] more posts here and here and here for non-profit resale shops. Or settle in for some good reading by clicking the […]
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I have 4 volunteers in my store, I could not do this with out them. In return I with compenste them with product from the store. This is a cost to me of less then 1/2 to pay an employee. I have a time sheet for them them to sing in their Hrs. We then deduct product for Hrs. We have done this now for two years and it works well for everyone involved.As a business owned we can gleen so much from other perspectives.
Thanks Sandy
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Your website makes it look like you’re not a NFP. I’ve had consignors ask to volunteer, but I’ve always said no. They wanted some kind arrangement like you have, but I was always weary of the tax ramifications. I would think Uncle Same would still want you to pay worker’s comp and then employment taxes on the cash value of the products from the store. How has this barter arrangement affected your taxes?
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