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Volunteers

Recruiting Volunteers for Your Campaign

Enable volunteer signups and communicate your volunteer needs effectively

Why Recruit Volunteers?

Volunteers are essential for successful disaster relief campaigns. They provide:

  • • Hands-on help with packing, sorting, and distribution
  • • Transportation and logistics support
  • • Specialized skills (medical, coordination, documentation)
  • • Additional reach through their networks
  • • Community credibility and trust

Step 1: Enable Volunteer Signups

You need to enable volunteer signups to allow people to apply to your campaign.

During Campaign Creation

  1. 1. Go to /campaigns/create
  2. 2. Scroll to the "Campaign Needs" section
  3. 3. Add a need with category "Volunteers"
  4. 4. Specify target quantity (e.g., "20 volunteers")
  5. 5. Add role details in the description (e.g., "Packers needed for weekend shifts")
  6. 6. Enable "Allow Drop-offs" toggle
  7. 7. Add at least one Assembly Location where volunteers can meet

For Existing Campaigns

  1. 1. Go to your Campaign Dashboard
  2. 2. Click "Edit Campaign" on your campaign
  3. 3. Navigate to Simple Editor
  4. 4. Add a need with category "Volunteers"
  5. 5. Toggle "Allow Drop-offs" to ON
  6. 6. Add Assembly Location (volunteer meeting point)
  7. 7. Click "Save Changes"

Step 2: Add Volunteer Needs

Clearly communicate what types of volunteers you need:

General Volunteers

For general labor, sorting, packing, and distribution tasks

Category: "Volunteers" | Target: "30 volunteers" | Description: "General helpers for weekend packing sessions"

Specialized Roles

For volunteers with specific skills or qualifications

Category: "Volunteers" | Target: "2 drivers" | Description: "Drivers with own vehicle for delivery runs"

Time-Specific Needs

For specific shifts or time periods

Category: "Volunteers" | Target: "10 volunteers" | Description: "Weekday morning shift (8am-12pm) packers"

Step 3: Set Up Assembly Locations

Assembly locations tell volunteers where to meet or report for work:

  1. 1. Add Location Details
    • • Name: "Main Warehouse" or "Barangay Hall"
    • • Address: Full street address
    • • Coordinates: Click on map to set exact location
    • • Notes: Parking info, landmarks, access instructions
  2. 2. Enable Volunteer Check-in

    The "Allow Volunteers" checkbox is automatically enabled when you add assembly locations with drop-offs enabled.

  3. 3. Add Multiple Locations (Optional)

    If you have multiple sites (warehouse, distribution point, field location), add them all so volunteers can choose closest one.

Step 4: How Volunteers See Your Campaign

Once enabled, volunteers will see:

Campaign Sidebar Shows:

  • "Join as Volunteer" button (amber/orange color)
  • Volunteer needs listed in campaign needs section
  • Assembly location(s) on the campaign map

Step 5: Write Clear Volunteer Descriptions

In your campaign needs or story, include:

WHAT

Specific tasks volunteers will do

Example: "Sorting and packing relief goods into family packs"

WHEN

Days and times you need help

Example: "Weekends, 9am-5pm, Dec 1-15"

WHERE

Location and how to get there

Example: "Barangay Hall, near public market"

WHO

Any requirements or preferences

Example: "Must be 18+, physically able to lift boxes"

The Volunteer Application Process

1

Volunteer Clicks "Join as Volunteer"

They see a modal with application form (30-second signup)

2

They Fill Out Quick Form

Name, contact, preferred role, availability (auto-filled for signed-in users)

3

Application Submitted

Status is "pending" - you'll see it in your volunteer dashboard

4

You Review and Approve

Access /profile/volunteers to approve or reject

Promoting Your Volunteer Needs

After enabling volunteer signups, spread the word:

Post Campaign Updates

Share urgent volunteer needs in campaign updates: "We need 10 more packers this weekend!"

Social Media Posts

Use the social media report generator to create shareable volunteer recruitment graphics

Community Outreach

Share campaign link in Facebook groups, neighborhood chats, and local organizations

Best Practices

  • Be specific about time commitment: "2-hour shifts" vs "all day"
  • List any requirements upfront: Age, physical ability, special skills
  • Provide clear directions: Landmarks, parking, public transport options
  • Update volunteer needs regularly: Mark as fulfilled when you have enough
  • Respond to applications quickly: Approve or reject within 24-48 hours
  • Communicate before events: Send reminders and updates to approved volunteers

Troubleshooting

No "Join as Volunteer" button showing?

Make sure you have: (1) Added a volunteer need, (2) Enabled "Allow Drop-offs", and (3) Added at least one assembly location.

Not receiving volunteer applications?

Check if your volunteer needs are clear and appealing. Add more details about what volunteers will do and when.

How to stop accepting volunteers?

Mark your volunteer need as fulfilled, or remove assembly locations to disable volunteer signups temporarily.

Next Steps

Once volunteers start applying, learn how to review and approve their applications.

→ Approving Volunteer Applications→ Managing Your Volunteer Team→ Verifying Volunteer Hours
← Volunteers GuideApproving Applications →