28th May 2009
Are you tapping into the expertise of your volunteers? Whilst some people may find the prospect of using their skills from their day job as an unattractive proposition, others relish the opportunity to combine their expertise with their passion for their chosen equestrian discipline. Gill Barham, the BEF's volunteer lead officer has been keeping up to date with an exciting project in the North West that shows very neatly how to make the most of your volunteers, by engaging them in projects that will be rewarding for them, whilst adding significant value to your organisation. Smiles all round!
From the horse's mouth
It's good to talk. And with the global media and communication network working 24 hours a day, seven days a week it is talk that is crucial to the future of equestrian sports.
British Dressage North West Region had recognised this and developed a communication and marketing group made up of interested volunteers who want to raise awareness of the sport.
The aim of the group is to promote local activities, encourage new members and retain existing membership, and develop two-way communication with interested individuals and groups. Under the guidance of British Dressage North West Regional Development Officer Elaine Gray the group has been in place since the end of 2008.
"We have already made a tremendous impact and have raised the profile of British Dressage in the region," said Elaine. "We have a clear plan and with the hard work of the volunteers we have been able to achieve a significant amount in a short space of time."
The group's achievements to date are:
- Establishing a contact list with around 1,000 interested people
- Developing a local newsletter published every two months and circulated to contacts and the media
- Creating links to local newsletters and equine magazines to promote activities
- Developing the first official British Dressage Facebook page with growing membership
- Events listing circulated and promote through contacts, magazines and websites
- Website hits on the British Dressage North West pages have risen to almost 2,000 a month
The main achievement has been doing the ground work to develop a network of interested people and groups including riding clubs, equine magazines, riding schools and equine stores.
Volunteers in the group are from a range of backgrounds and ages, one being under 25, but all share one thing; they are either communication professionals or are working towards a career in pr and media. Above all they are enthusiastic about dressage and developing awareness in the region.
One volunteer Amanda Coleman said: "I have worked in communication roles for more than 15 years and am now the head of communication for a large public sector organisation. I really enjoy being able to use my professional expertise and knowledge to support my personal interest in horses and British Dressage.
"You feel you can make a difference and be part of the future development of the sport. And above all as a group it is great fun."
Elaine explains that although it has involved a lot of hard work over the past six months there are huge benefits. Her advice is, "Find some really enthusiastic volunteers, work out a plan, prioritise what you want to do and then keep in regular contact about developments."
And as the work develops the next step for the British Dressage North West is to develop an associated group of volunteers to look at fundraising and sponsorship.
