Anyone who owns or runs an aquarium knows proper operation requires a lot of people and help. After all, there’s tons to do. While hardworking employees play a massive role in an aquarium’s success, your team can always use additional support. That’s where volunteers come in.
What do volunteers do at an aquarium? They can assist guests, guide tours, clean, feed the marine life, and provide administrative support.
The Importance of Volunteers for Aquariums
About a quarter of Americans volunteer in their spare time, and these individuals can have a tremendous impact on non-profits, schools, shelters, and organizations like zoos and aquariums.
Taking measures to attract more volunteers to your aquarium can benefit your operation in various ways:
- More hands on deck: Having volunteers means that you have more people who can help you with all your tasks so that no area of the aquarium gets neglected.
- Increased exposure: Volunteering also acts as a form of marketing because volunteers are likely to share their experiences with their friends and family, which may encourage them to either visit your aquarium or become volunteers themselves.
- Get the community involved: If you welcome volunteers into your organization, you’re giving people a glimpse behind the scenes of your aquarium. Since volunteer work often benefits both the organization and the volunteers, it’s a great way to form good relationships with your community.
The Challenge of Finding Volunteers for Aquariums
Explore common hurdles aquariums may face when searching for volunteers:
- Fewer volunteers: Since volunteer rates have dropped in recent years, it’s more challenging than ever for aquariums to find people willing to help. With fewer people offering their time for free, aquariums must find strategic ways to attract new volunteers.
- Awareness: Another challenge is the fact that many people don’t even know that volunteering at an aquarium is an option. All of this means that aquariums can’t just expect volunteers to walk through their doors — they need to actively seek them out.
- Public perception: Finding people to volunteer at an aquarium can be challenging, especially because many believe that only non-profits should have volunteers. People may think that an institution that makes money — like an aquarium — shouldn’t need unpaid helpers, but that’s not the case. Emphasizing your aquarium’s role in the community and providing a healthy home for marine life can help change perceptions.
How to Find Aquarium Volunteers
Now that you have a better idea of why volunteers for aquariums are so important and why it can be so difficult to find them, it’s time to examine what steps aquariums can take to find and attract them.
1. Target Educational Institutions
What sets volunteer work at an aquarium apart from other opportunities is that many people who offer their time and energy do it because they have a deep passion for marine life. They are eager to get involved, learn more, and gain some hands-on experience.
That’s why a good place to start looking for volunteers is at educational institutions. University students studying marine biology or similar fields may love the chance to volunteer at an aquarium because it gives them real-world experience on the career path that they want to pursue.
People with a post-secondary education are more likely to volunteer, so this is your ideal target market. You can also reach out to high schools and establish student volunteer programs for after-school, weekends, and holidays.
2. Offer Incentives
Since volunteers are there of their own free will and aren’t working for money, they often do not expect anything in return. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. You can offer incentives to volunteers, even if they aren’t monetary. Here are some ideas:
- Free merchandise like t-shirts, hats, or magnets
- Free entry to the aquarium as a visitor once a month
- Discounts on events and items
Giving people extra reasons to volunteer makes them much more likely to do so.
3. Spread the Word
Marketing is not just a way of bringing customers into your aquarium. It can also help you spread the word and attract new volunteers.
You can use social media to spread the word that your aquarium is currently looking for helpers and highlight the perks of volunteering with your organization.
Ask current volunteers to encourage others to join as well. Post opportunities on your social accounts and websites for those interested in learning more.
4. Make It Easy
Make becoming an aquarium volunteer at your organization simple. Clearly lay the steps out to apply and provide plenty of information through readily available brochures or your organization’s site.
Prioritize communication throughout the entire process. Ensure your team is responsive and quickly answers questions from your prospects.
Let potential volunteers know when to come in and what training opportunities you offer. By supporting volunteers and making the process as easy as possible, you can encourage individuals to repeatedly offer their time and energy to your aquarium.
5. Use Volunteer Recruitment Software
Utilizing a software with recruiting features is one of the best ways to supercharge your aquarium’s volunteer management efforts. You can use these solutions for advertising your organization’s assignments and streamline volunteer background checks.
Your team can save time and money by leveraging a tool that’s designed specifically for recruiting new volunteers. These software systems will help keep records organized for straightforward application, scheduling and screening management.
If your aquarium relies heavily on volunteers to operate properly, investing in a platform that helps you consistently get more volunteers can be highly advantageous.
Manage Aquarium Volunteers Efficiently
With Volgistics Volunteer Software for Aquariums, your organization can elevate how it recruits and manages volunteers. Managers and coordinators can spend less time reviewing background checks and more time finding great candidates to assist around your facility.
With the online opportunity directory, you can promote upcoming volunteering activities with detailed descriptions to attract the right helpers. Here are some other key features Volgistics offers:
- Volunteer profiles
- Scheduling
- Reporting
- Document storage
- Communication
With our software, your team can harness better organization to support enhanced volunteer experiences. With the VicNet online volunteer portal, your aquarium can oversee volunteer profiles, update schedules and review service information.
Your team can also enjoy skipping the burdensome process of tracking volunteer hours and check-ins. Instead, volunteers can sign into the Volgistics VicTouch on-site kiosks for more accurate service recordkeeping.
Improve Volunteer Management With Volgistics
If you need help finding the right volunteers for your aquarium or managing your existing volunteer pool, the Volgistics platform can help. Our tools make the volunteering process more positive for everyone involved, including managers and volunteers themselves.
Volgistics is easy-to-use and can scale with your volunteer needs. If you’re not sold yet, try it for free! Our 30-day trial allows you to experience all the benefits and features so you can make the most informed decision.
