It's great when a group of people come together and decide to start a project for their community. But starting a project requires a lot of effort, and not everyone is willing to pitch in as much or as often as they say they will. Successful projects have a group of dedicated volunteers who actively promote the project, so others will help, too. Using new technology, such as social-networking sites, can help you spread the word about the project and recruit from among a wider group of people than those who attend local meetings and events.
Instructions
1. Spread your message of wanting to implement your project in your community. Advertise by hanging posters around town. Talk about your project at city council meetings. Make a profile on social-networking sites to keep people updated on project news. Post information about your project at least every few days to keep people informed about what's happening and how they can become involved. Contact local media outlets and tell them about the project. Demonstrate that you are serious about the project and others will take it seriously, too.
2. Sponsor activities or events to promote the project, especially if you need donations to implement it. A school or community center may provide a venue for a community picnic, guest-speaker event, family movie night or simply a meeting. Pass out flyers at all events, so people can refer to them for information later. Don't forget to include the online addresses for your project.
3. Ask people to help. Post a message online to detail how they can volunteer and ask that everyone who reads it re-posts it on their own websites. The more people who hear about your call for volunteers, the more they will want to help and become involved. Look for other local sources of volunteer manpower, such as local community-service organizations and high school students who need to fulfill community-service hour requirements. Explain why a potential volunteer should work for you. If the project will benefit the community, tell potential volunteers how they might personally benefit.
4. Do the work. Once you have the funding and the manpower, all that's left to do is the project itself. Make a timetable and set goals and dates for when you would like to achieve them. Ask your volunteers to help you achieve each one. Stay organized and delegate tasks to volunteers as necessary.
