A Resource Development Plan lays out the way a nonprofit will get the cash, in-kind contributions and volunteers it needs. Volunteers are critical resources for nonprofits. Volunteers are giving the organization their most precious commodity which is their time. The nonprofit's responsibility is to use that time wisely. Recruitment and effective use of volunteers takes some planning:

1. Think of one-time opportunities that volunteers can participate in. Stocking shelves, packaging products, greeting clients, writing notes and other simple but helpful tasks are important to identify. Find helpful ways for volunteers to plug in through a one-time engagement.

2. Volunteers can also serve as an ongoing part of the team. Define what roles can be fulfilled by volunteers when individuals are looking for a regular and ongoing engagement. Consider skills, gifts, experience and perspective of volunteers and plug them into roles that lean into those strengths.

3. Recruit well. Know what you need then use your collective circles of influence, social networks and marketing to engage people to fill those roles.

Effective volunteerism doesn't just happen, it's planned for in a resource development plan.