Recruitment and Retention
From Common Energy UVic
Recruitment and Retention is a project designed to gain new members for Common Energy. Recruitment and Retention is a sub-committee of the Communication team.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
This sub-team will focus first on recruitment, and second on retention. Common Energy's recruitment will be primarily focused on students, namely through classroom speaking and subsequent meet and greets. Common Energy will recruit staff and faculty through direct recruitment and cultivating one-on-one relationships, and community members through events and public forums. After our first cycle of recruitment, we will focus on retention.
[edit] Meetings
The next Recruitment and Retention meeting will be held The next meeting will be announced by the coordinator.
Issues for the next Recruitment and Retention Meeting
Recruitment and Retention Meeting Minutes
[edit] Student Recruitment
The following is the working strategy for student recruitment. Since the inception of Common Energy, students, both undergraduates and graduates, have been the driving force of the organization. Common Energy has grown as an organization very quickly, and for Common Energy to continue growing as an organization - specifically continuing with the Common Ground Process, organizing effective, high quality events, and conducting high quality research - increasing the capacity of the organization is inherent for success.
[edit] Student Recruitment Strategy
Phase one - Classroom Speaking: This is our opportunity to reach the most amount of students at one time. We will explain what Common Energy is, the available positions, the necessary time commitment per position, and the next opportunity to join or find out more about CE. We will pass around a sign up sheet and a stack of leaflets for those interested. We will then email students who signed up, providing orientation dates and a link to the wiki.
Phase two - Orientation: an informal setting where interested individuals can drop in and find out more about Common Energy. The Recruitment and Retention team has created a presentation. Using a projector, we can use the wiki as an effective tool for providing a broad overview of Common Energy's goals and current initiatives.
- ORIENTATION TOOLS:
- PRESENTATION:
- Common Energy front page: explain the overarching goal of Common Energy. Scroll down to the two gateways (Common Energy Uvic and Common Energy UBC), and explain why universities are such a powerful tool for tackling deep-seeded issues, like climate change, and our goal to set up a network of universities.
- Common Energy UVic front page: Explain the working groups. Currently, we are using Food as the example of the process of working groups.
- From the food working group page, we scroll to the bottom, and explain the three positions: coordinator, communication and writer. From here, we explain the team structure, hopefully giving a broad overview of Common Energy.
- Explain the purpose of the knowledge base, and how is it a valuable resource for working groups and Common Energy.
- Now that people have seen an array of wiki pages, we explain to them as to why we use the wiki, and that everyone is welcome to contribute to it.
- Ask audience which working groups they have a particular interest in.
- Explain upcoming events.
- NOTE: Continually ask if people have any questions; CE does not have a common structure, so we need to remember that when first exposed to its structure and goals, it can be intimidating.
At the end of orientation, it is vital to ask if individuals if they are interested in joining Common Energy, and if they are, in which capacity they would like to participate.
- If they know which area they would like to be involved with, write an email to the new member and the working group coorinator/team coordinator, to e-introduce them, and encourage them to set up a meeting. We want to ensure new members have a one-on-one meeting with the appropriate person before they are put into a larger meeting, as the larger meetings may be intimidating.
- If they do not know which capacity they would like to be involved, skip to phase 4.
Phase 3 - Meetings with Coordinators: Coordinators of working groups or teams meet one-on-one with new members. If time is in issue, it is effective to meet a half hour or so before the working group or team meeting. This meeting is designed to explain to new members what the working group or team is working on, and field any questions they may have.
Phase 4 - Follow up: Recruitment team to email new members after about a week to check in, and see if there is anything that could change to make it more enjoyable.
[edit] Non-student Recruitment
This section includes strategies for recruiting non-students, specifically faculty, staff and regional partners.
[edit] Non-student Recruitment Strategy
A recruitment for non-students has yet to be developed. If you would like to take this on, please contact Mark Chandler.
[edit] Positions within Common Energy
Susan J. Ellis, in her article Barriers to Volunteering, emphasizes the importance of avoiding the word volunteer, as it is broad and ambiguous. Ellis stipulates it is good practice to emphasize the title of the assignment itself. For example, students will be much more likely to be interested in a volunteer researcher position as opposed to a volunteer position. Moreover, we need to determine the motivations of our audience, so we can appeal to them in our recruitment efforts.
- Volunteer Researcher: The Progress Report will be publicly released on June 12th, and throughout the summer we need people, students in particular, to take actions and proposals within the Progress Report and develop them.
- Working Group Coordinator: responsible for taking care of the practical logistics that make the group’s work possible. For example, they will be responsible for room bookings and materials.
- Working Group Communicator: responsible for the group’s outreach and recruiting. This is particularly important as the groups need to both engage new people to help draft the plan and make sure that people are aware of the ideas and have an opportunity to contribute.
- Working Group Writer: responsible for translating the ideas generated into a coherent document that will form part of the beyond climate-neutral plan. In many cases, this will mean translating notes created during collaborative sessions, such as Common Ground, into a cogent document.
- Fund Raising Event Organizer: organize fund raisers, and outreach events. 6 positions available, 5-15 hours per week.
- Associate Wiki Developers: Aid Wiki Developer in the wiki development and upkeep.
- University Challenge Organizers: Aid University Challenge Coordinator in the development of the University Challenge Project. 4 positions available, 5-10 hours per week.
[edit] Recruitment Events
Common Energy has an upcoming Environmental Theatre series.
[edit] The End of Suburbia
THE END OF SUBURBIA: Oil Depletion and the Collapse of The American Dream
September 18th, David Strong Building C118 Doors open at 6:30PM, show starts at 7:15PM
"A movie that discusses the dwindling supply of cheap energy in the form of fossil fuels and its effect on society."
End of Suburbia Website
Cost is a sliding scale of $3 to $10. If you do not have the financial means, please come, and if you do, please donate.
[edit] The Future of Food
The Future of Food
October 16th , David Strong Building C118 Doors open at 6:30PM, show starts at 7:15PM
"Provides an overview of the key questions raised by consumers as they become aware of genetically modified foods."
The Future of Food website
Cost is a sliding scale of $3 to $10. If you do not have the financial means, please come, and if you do, please donate.
A few members of Common Energy have put together some ideas for Fundraising events. This will be reviewed by the Communications team and adjusted as people collaborate on these ideas.
[edit] Resources for Recruiting
Barriers to Volunteering by Susan Ellis - emphasizes the importance of breaking down barriers, specifically knowing your audience and having clear communication.
Energize Incorporated - Resources for leaders and volunteers
Recruitment and Organization of Volunteers
[edit] Tasks for Recruitment Team
[edit] Retention
Retention will be examined after the first cycle of student recruitment.
[edit] Brainstorming Ideas
- The Buildings, Infrastructure, and Ecology Working Group suggested that the working groups create topical meetings in order to bring in people with a particular interest that might benefit the group.
