In January 2004, Jim Delgado,
then Director of the Volunteer Program
at Central Office, presented
to the National Leadership Board’s
Communication Committee the need
for volunteer recruitment - specifically,
the strong need to target students
and younger volunteers. During this
presentation, Mr. Delgado emphasized
the effectiveness of identifying a student/
college aged recruiter who could
interact with “same aged” potential
volunteers.
According to the National Voluntary
Service Office, the amount of VA
volunteers will continue to decline, as
the core of our volunteers are lost due
to retirement, disability, and death. To counter a possible period of excessive
volunteer loss, VA needs to take certain
steps to prepare for the next generation
of VA volunteers.
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The Volunteer Assistant/
Student Recruiter:
Recruits students from high
schools and colleges
Interviews and processes potential
student volunteers
Places the student volunteers in
meaningful positions
Develops and maintains relationships
with schools and
organizations that have various
service initiatives
As a result, VA Western New York
Healthcare System (VAWNYHS)
decided to pursue a part time (20 hours
per week) employee to handle this new
recruitment effort. Since its inception
in June 2004, the Volunteer Assistant/
Student Recruiter position has made
a significant difference in the number
of student volunteers at the Buffalo
site. We have been able to utilize the
students’ personal skills as well as their
computer expertise. Students in this
position know the complexities and lifestyles
of their peers, how to communicate
with them and accommodate their
schedules. Students even lend a comfort level to the new volunteers throughout the
placement process.
One statistic that truly measures the positive impact
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this position can have is demonstrated when measuring the cost of
this position versus the outcome. In less
than two years, the VAWNYHS VAVS
office has seen a benefit of $117,548 - a
phenomenal return on investment not to
mention the strong academic affiliations
that VA has created
with the community.
VAWNYHS has been able to establish
relationships with:
Canisius College Office of Service
Learning
Buffalo State College Career
Development Center
Daemen College
D’Youville College
SUNY at Buffalo (Student Life,
Leadership Development Center,
Pre-Health Office, On-line Career
Service Center, Association of
Pre-medical Students, Cora P.
Maloney College)
BOCES Connections Program
Several high schools throughout
WNY
To learn more about the types of
activities being conducted at your
medical center to increase student
participation, contact Voluntary Service.
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