---
title: "Rules of Engagement: Amplify Your Calls for Volunteers"
id: "9368"
type: "post"
slug: "rules-of-engagement-amplify-your-calls-for-volunteers"
published_at: "2018-12-21T00:00:00+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-15T02:51:15+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/12/21/rules-of-engagement-amplify-your-calls-for-volunteers/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/12/21/rules-of-engagement-amplify-your-calls-for-volunteers.md"
excerpt: "In an association with four full-time employees, volunteer relations is everyone’s job, including the CEO’s. “It’s a high priority for us [because] we need volunteers who can lend a hand,” says Allison Ferch, executive director at the Globalization and Localization..."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Membership"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "ASAEcenter"
  - "job recruitment"
  - "Member Engagement"
  - "Membership"
  - "Volunteer Management"
  - "volunteers"
taxonomy_content_format:
  - "Article"
taxonomy_role:
  - "Association CEO / Executive Director"
taxonomy_persona:
  - "Association Professionals"
---

[Home](https://associationsnow.com/)
 » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/)
 » Rules of Engagement: Amplify Your Calls for Volunteers

In an association with four full-time employees, volunteer relations is everyone’s job, including the CEO’s.

“It’s a high priority for us [because] we need volunteers who can lend a hand,” says Allison Ferch, executive director at the Globalization and Localization Association. “If you aren’t pulling out all the stops and making a lot of noise, then you’re likely missing out on some members.”

Ferch says GALA uses three key tactics in its annual campaign to recruit new volunteers:

**1. Dedicated message.** Ferch starts by writing a message, delivered to all members by e-newsletter and mail, asking them to volunteer for a variety of roles, including board service. “We like to have a representation of our membership,” she says. “This year’s message was focused on diversity and inclusion as shared values.”

**2. Social referrals.** GALA disseminates its message far and wide using Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. “Members and nonmembers help to promote it,” Ferch says. “And it becomes this incredible opportunity to also promote GALA, its values, and member benefits to a public audience.”

**3. Online form.** In addition to Ferch’s letter, GALA uses an online form to collect potential candidates for the board. “We see value in promoting this opportunity as broadly as possible,” she says.

[This article was originally published in the Associations Now print edition, titled “Call to Action.”]

[Tim Ebner](https://associationsnow.com/author/tim-ebner/)

Tim Ebner is communications director and press secretary at the American Forest & Paper Association in Washington, DC. He is a member of ASAE’s Communication Professionals Advisory Council and a former Associations Now senior editor.

[More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/tim-ebner/)

Tags: [#job recruitment](https://associationsnow.com/tag/job-recruitment/)
 [#Member Engagement](https://associationsnow.com/tag/member-engagement/)
 [#Membership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/membership/)
 [#Volunteer Management](https://associationsnow.com/tag/volunteer-management/)
 [#volunteers](https://associationsnow.com/tag/volunteers/)

**Stay Informed**

[Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/)
, *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day.

## You Might Like

- [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Tech Stack: How AI Is Changing the Association PlaybookOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-tech-stack-how-ai-is-changing-the-association-playbook/)
- [Article3 Tips to Boost Volunteer Engagement at Your AssociationSeptember 10, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/09/10/3-tips-to-boost-volunteer-engagement-at-your-association/)
- [TemplateMembers onlyMember Onboarding ToolkitNovember 5, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/11/05/member-onboarding-toolkit/)
- [ArticleLeverage the Power of Volunteers to Help Your Association ThriveJuly 10, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/07/10/leverage-the-power-of-volunteers-to-help-your-association-thrive/)

## Comments

**Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/)

[Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2018%2F12%2F21%2Frules-of-engagement-amplify-your-calls-for-volunteers%2F%23comments)
 to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/)
!