How To Find and Keep Good Volunteers During Difficult Times

The ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to frustration and even burnout for many community association board members and other volunteers. As a result, some associations are struggling to fill more openings than typical.

“It’s getting harder and harder, it really is,” says Paul Grucza, director of education and client development at the Seattle-based management company CWD Group, Inc.

In February 2021, the entire board of one of his clients was leaving, creating five open seats. “An hour before the meeting, we had no candidates,” Grucza says. “I had to ask them to dig into their souls and volunteer. I got five, but I had to pull teeth.”

“Recruiting is a year-round activity,” Grucza says. “It’s not static and only at annual meetings.” That means that you and your board members should keep your eyes out for those owners who might have the motivation and the commitment to volunteer.

“Anytime I talk to an owner, I ask about their interests and their concerns about the building, and then I use that information to get them to commit when the time is right,” Grucza says.

Read our new article for some tips from Grucza and other managers on how to keep the positions in your clients’ associations filled with effective volunteers:

5 Ways to Boost Your Volunteer Recruitment

Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President