Look in An Orchard: How to Find the People You Need

When organising any event or class, especially for volunteers, the issue always comes up: how do we find the people we need to do this? Ask a group of people in a crowded room, and you'll probably be met with blank stares. So how can you find the right people to take something on?Common sense tells us, that if you want to find an apple tree, look in an orchard. Find people with similar interests, or experiences, who understand what you're trying to do, and the commitment it involves.

I was once talking to a ballet teacher, who told me, that they always seemed to have trouble finding new members to take part in the classes. This was before the Ballet Boyz made it popular again, and ballet had the same old stigma of being seen as an elitist, (even camp) artform; that the person on the street couldn't relate to. I said as much to the ballet teacher. Fortunately, they have since helped improve its image.

One other way to bring the people in, that I suggested to him; was to look among the other dance groups, and to offer ballet classes to voluntary students of other styles of dance. After all, dance is dance. The same basic discipline, approach and passion is involved; as I can confirm from working behind the scenes at DanceFest International. The warm ups, the costume issues, were virtually the same for performers of at least 4-5 different styles. So yes, volunteers who are already interested in learning dance are far more likely to be willing recruits to ballet classes.

In fact, the same logic applies to all organisers, who are looking for people to take part in things, or help run them.  For example, the new director of a theatre I know, was asking me where they could find the young people to get involved with the running of behind the scenes operations? Who could they find to be on the committees? I told him, that the best way to find people, is to ask the young people who are already on committees; for example student committee members, who are already active in running things, and who understand the processes and commitment needed to achieve them.

This could be done in a hundred different scenarios. If you want new organisers for a sports team, ask the members and organisers of existing teams if they are interested in getting involved. Chances are, there'll be members who want a new challenge, or slightly more responsibility, and you're better off asking those who are more interested in taking it on. Another good source of new volunteers and organisers could be the students of nearby colleges and universities. These young people often move into the area, and are keen to try new things. They can be offered membership of clubs and societies, or may have useful ideas to help run them. It's worth asking them.

The other good source, is of course, the retired professionals, who have the expertise and the time to spare. The amateur theatre societies I know, have a great many organisers with decades of experience, who retired from their day jobs, and decided to start, or help run amateur theatre societies. And of course, they deserve a role to be on stage too, for their efforts! But in all seriousness, this group of people could be a great help to clubs, societies, or events and festivals. At the very least, they would have good advice to offer, from their year of experience.

So, if you're trying to organise something, and can't get the people in, my advice is to ask the ones who are doing something similar, or who have the same interests. They at least, will understand what you're trying to do, and even if they can't offer their services, they may still have good advice about the people who could.