Vision statement
Promote the vision statement and goals on brochures, publicity flyers, grant applications, banners, reports and reviews.

Letter box drops
These are useful for urban or semi-rural areas where people are concentrated around a work site or project.

On publicity fliers and advertisements, have the name and phone number of a volunteer or community representative as well as the organisation's. Some people may be more inclined to call a community person to find out more information, rather than to approach the organisation initially and risk being "roped in". It may be preferable for the volunteer or community representative to be reached at the organisation as some people might not like being contacted at home.

Media articles
Newspaper and radio features could include a story about your program, a particular project, a hard working volunteer, a grant or award received. See Example Press Release in this section.

Remember to include a call to action at the end of the article for anyone interested in knowing more or getting involved "To join the program, phone (name and number)…". Acknowledgment: Enabling Ecoaction - A Handbook for Anyone Working with the Public on Conservation Book by Les Robinson & Andreas Glanznig 2003, page 128.

Link in with well known theme days or events
Widely promoted local festivals and popular theme days are good opportunities to utilise the "Think Global, Act Local" message and bring people's attention and action to the local environmental program.

Some examples of popular theme days include: Clean Up Australia Day (March), World Environment Day (June), National Tree Day (July), Threatened Species Day (September), Weed Busters Week (October) and Volunteer Day (December).

Engage a well-known personality to promote your program and message
Read more about this in Enabling Ecoaction - A Handbook for Anyone Working with the Public on Conservation Book by Les Robinson & Andreas Glanznig 2003, page 130.

Logo
Logos make the program recognisable and can be put on banners, flyers, publications, volunteer information kits, promotional material and staff vehicles.

For example, Landcare (two hands holding Australia) is a logo that is widely recognised throughout Australia.

Banners
Banners at high profile locations and on site while volunteers are working can help to spread the program's name and image into the wider community.

Promotional giveaways and clothing
These can help to get the program's logo, name and image into the wider community - some examples are stickers, magnets, book marks, water bottles, t-shirts and hats for the volunteers.

Visual displays Displays of can be of various sizes and types, depending on where they will go, how much space there is, and how much time people will have to view the display. Some examples include: An information stall A display board with photos and written information A colour poster with a short key message An A4 flyer with a colour photo of the volunteers and short amount of text Displays can be at festivals, community events, shopping centres, community noticeboards, libraries and Council reception areas.

Brisbane Council's set-up at a volunteer working bee

Use "before and after" photographs of sites to show progress and achievements. Use photographs of volunteers at work to promote the social aspect of volunteering

Mobile trailer display Some Councils use a trailer to publicise the program. The trailer is towed to work days, special events and parked in residential streets on a rotating basis. When staffed, the trailer can be opened and displays information brochures, photos and examples of tools used. When parked, the trailer is closed and publicises details about the program, who it involves and a phone number to call.

Hobart Council's Bushcare trailer

Guided walks and "street meets" at a potential new work site
Guided walks or street meetings are a way of gauging community interest and recruiting potential volunteers for a new work site. Hold the walk during a theme week (such as Seniors or Weed Busters Week) and involve the Mayor or a local personality to lead the walk. This can attract a larger range of people than simply holding a first work day with the message of "come and get your hands dirty".

For the guided walks, 30 may people turn up. 6-8 people are interested in forming a volunteer group, 2 more are interested in writing letters and lobbying for funding and a neighbour who lives next door agrees to be the watch dog and keep an eye on the site in between work days.

Remember that everyone has something to offer. Discuss with the potential recruits when they can work, and what they want to contribute. This is a good opportunity as everyone is there together, rather than interviewing them all individually. After the day, establish the new group as soon as possible, while people are keen and interested.

General bushwalking and education programs
Often the people who participate in these activities are already interested in the environment and may be open to more information about how they can get actively involved in volunteering.

Field days, open days
People of all ages in an area or catchment can be invited to a day of free walks, talks, demonstrations and activities to promote your program and recruit new volunteers.

Volunteers can be the best people to promote the program at displays, information stalls, recruitment drives and field days, as they are speaking to their peers and fellow residents from their neighbourhood / town and from their direct experience.

Regular mail outs by Councils
Most Councils already have regular large mail outs for rates notices and community reports. There may be an opportunity to insert a flier or article about your volunteer program.

On-hold telephone advertisements
If you work in an organisation that has community messages playing when people are put "on hold", insert a message with a spiel about your program.

Website
If you work in an organisation that has a highly used website, insert information, photos and a registration form for your program.

Existing networks
Make presentations at the meetings or write a short article for newsletters of existing environmental groups, community groups and resident associations in your area.

Signage
In natural areas that are used by many people, signs can help keep people out of a rehabilitating site as well as raise awareness of what is happening and who is involved.

"Rehabilitation Area - Please keep to tracks. This area is cared for by community volunteers."

Enabling Ecoaction - A Handbook for Anyone Working with the Public on Conservation Book by Les Robinson & Andreas Glanznig (2003) Designing good campaigns and promotion messages. Writing media releases Information Sheets www.volunteeringaustralia.org/sheets/media.html Contact www.volunteeringaustralia.org and the peak volunteering organisation in your state for relevant courses on promotion and recruitment. See More information