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Running a RIF program isn’t a one-person job. Recruiting active volunteers to help is essential to the success of your program, not to mention your peace of mind. It's also important to involve as many family and community members in book distributions as possible.
Recruiting Volunteers
Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes. The ideal RIF volunteer is anyone who is committed to kids and literacy, and has the time to dedicate to conducting or assisting a RIF program. You won't have to go far to find your RIF volunteers.
Here are some suggestions for recruiting volunteers:
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When you invite parents to get involved, extend the invitation to siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and other family members.
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Have the kids write personalized invitations to parents, community members, and local funders (including potential funders), asking them to be guest readers at the book distribution.
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Service clubs, such as Kiwanis Clubs, or sororities, such as Alpha Kappa Alpha, are often looking for new projects both to fund and support through volunteers. Senior centers, retirement communities, and clubs for seniors are also often looking for new projects.
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Don't forget the staff at your school or center: Principals or center directors, cafeteria staff, administrative personnel, and others who see kids daily may be interested in helping out.
Working with Volunteers
 After you recruit volunteers, you'll need to put them to work. Here are some key tips for getting the most out of your volunteer relationships.
Set up an Orientation
Make sure that every volunteer, whether a parent guest reader, funder, or a school librarian, is familiar with basic RIF facts and the relevant National Book Program mandatory guidelines. The more they know about RIF, the more they can spread the word throughout the community about RIF’s great work.
Assign Roles and Responsibilities
There are a variety of jobs for RIF volunteers. Here are a few of the typical tasks of a local RIF program.
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Select and Order Books — Volunteers can request catalogs, familiarize themselves with children's literature, compare book costs and services, and select and order a wide variety of books for distribution.
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Organize Book Events — Volunteers can create themes and activities, decorate the event area, make refreshments, stock the book tables, and encourage children to select their own books.
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Read Books Aloud and Tell Stories — Volunteers can be guest readers and storytellers. They can dress as storybook characters, or come wearing their real hats — as mayors, lawyers, athletes, firefighters, authors, scientists, moms, dads, and grandparents.
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Plan Reading Activities — With help from national RIF or other local RIF programs, volunteers plan and conduct motivational activities that include reading-related games, projects, field trips, and challenges — anything that makes the program FUN!
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Invite the Community — Volunteers can find individuals and groups to participate in RIF activities.
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Publicize RIF — Volunteers can put together flyers, posters, and newsletters.
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Seek Donations — Volunteers can run fundraising sales, write grant proposals, and solicit funding and merchandise contributions from local businesses.
Acknowledging Volunteers
When all is said and done, RIF volunteers give their time, energy, and talents to help children become lifelong readers. Asking for nothing in return, volunteers deserve your thoughtful recognition for all the wonderful things they do.
Although thank-you luncheons and engraved plaques are nice ways to show your appreciation, a simple, sincere thank-you note or letter is usually more than enough to let volunteers know you value what they do.
Helpful Resources
 The following tips, articles, and technical assistance materials will help you start and build lasting relationships with volunteers:
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