Common Sense and Volunteer Involvement
It is true that volunteers are a special and unique resource available to organizations whose mission is to contribute to the common good of society. Often times though the approach used by management to inject volunteer support into the work already being accomplished by paid employees is carried out with less than common sense. Here’s an article by Susan Ellis at Energize Inc that helps put into perspective how we can fully engage volunteers without overreacting to the uniqueness of their status.
A Winding Road, Sept. 11, and a Career in Volunteer Management
I just read a compelling story by Danilo Minnick, the Volunteer Service Manager at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. His path toward this profession started with his studying art in college, then went on to his service in AmeriCorps and later the Peace Corps. His life had an abrupt turn on September 11, 2001 when he didn’t arrive on time to his job at 6 World Trade Center due to a last minute decision to turn around that morning to change his tie.
His background and experiences made him a great example of how volunteer managers take many unforeseen twists on their paths toward what for most is an exciting and rewarding career. He is now the perfect person for his role The Memorial.
Read the full article.
A-Z Online Volunteer Management Resources
A post that provides you with the online tools specific to volunteer management!
This weeks post features AL!VE, an organization that provides resources and networking opportunities to those involved in volunteer administration. Many resources are available free of charge on their website at www.volunteeralive.org as well as they offer paid memberships, regional roundtables and trainings. Officially their mission is, “To enhance and sustain the spirit of volunteering by fostering collaboration and networking, promoting professional development, and providing advocacy for leaders in community engagement.”
Here’s a fun video that demonstrates not only the impact that volunteers can have in their communities, but also the positive effect service can have on the volunteers themselves. This is often the most overlooked outcomes of volunteering.
HAPPY NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK!
Source: misstravelgirl
A-Z VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT RESOURCES: a post that provides you with the online tools specific to volunteer management!
Today’s tip is the online website Create the Good. A grassroots movement sponsored by AARP that encourages individuals to do good in their community. The website helps individuals create their own community projects and track their success. Groups and individuals can post volunteer opportunities for others in their area.
National Volunteer Week | April 15-21, 2012
Recognizing volunteers for contributions they make to a cause must be more than something done at random. Volunteer administrators should implement recognition programs that includes both formal and informal activities to insure volunteers know they are valued and appreciated. Celebrating National Volunteer Week can be a great opportunity to “hold the presses” and rally the team to make sure your volunteers understand how grateful you are for their service. Check out Points of Light Institute’s website for more on the 2012 National Volunteer Week.
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER CONFERENCE
“A program of Points of Light, this annual event provides attendees with an opportunity to learn, connect and be inspired through a wide range of exciting and informative plenary sessions, workshops, special events, service projects, exhibits, specialized corporate tracks and more.
As the world’s largest gathering of volunteer and service leaders from the nonprofit, corporate and government sectors, all are invited to join us in Chicago. If you or your organization deals with volunteers in any capacity, this is an event you do not want to miss!
Attendees typically include:
- Volunteer coordinators and supervisors
- AmeriCorps and Senior Corps program members
- AmeriCorps Alums
- HandsOn Network Action Centers
- Non-profit professionals
- Nonprofit and government volunteer leaders
- Workplace volunteer managers
- Leaders in corporate social responsibility
- Corporate partners
- Social entrepreneurs
- Funders and philanthropists
And anyone else ready to pave the way for a fresh approach to civic engagement.
Chicago will be an innovative backdrop for the 2012 conference. Conference participants will have the opportunity to explore the city to see change in action and enjoy the famous spirit of the city.”
Never Mind the Dollar Value of Volunteers
By Ian Nevarez
Considerable effort is put into measuring the dollar value of volunteer support to grassroots movements, non-profit organizations and public agencies. This is to be expected when prudent leadership is required to assess the most financially responsible way to accomplish their missions. To help in this area, Independent Sector publishes an annual report on, “The Value of Volunteer Time.” This is immensely useful analysis. It allows volunteer resource administrators to easily quantify to their stakeholders the fiscal value of their programs. But also, it allows volunteers to understand another way that they contribute to the causes they are passionate about…financially.
Often times though, organizations fail to recognize the real limitations of basing its total assessment of the value of volunteers too strictly on this financial bottom line of how much revenue they saved by not having to pay employees. First, the true financial value of a volunteer is not exactly reflected in the Independent Sector analysis and secondly this approach leaves out the countless value added benefits that are impossible to quantify into one tidy number.
Through charitable giving, Americans spread the wealth
How Abundant Are Volunteer Resources?
It has once again been made apparent that non-profit organizations in the US that are not promoting American’s proud tradition of, and commitment to, helping others through volunteerism are leaving something very valuable on the table. This article discusses a recent poll conducted by Charities Aid Foundation that shows Americans are now ranked #1 globally in terms of dollar and volunteer time donated.
Volunteer Videos are great for recruitment and fundraising
Not only does the above volunteer video recognize the great work that volunteers have contributed, but it also serves to recruit new volunteers. It currently runs on the library’s volunteer webpage. What better way, than from the volunteers themselves, will prospective volunteers learn how fun and meaningful their service will be. Also, any time your cause or organization can demonstrate genuine volunteer support, it increases the credibility of your mission. The fact that non-employees from the community will advocate for your cause speaks volumes. Lastly, videos like the one developed above are easy to create and edit on user-friendly programs like: MS PowerPoint, Apple iMovie or Windows Live Movie Maker.
-Ian Nevarez, LINC Volunteers
Source: cmlibrarycommunity
LINC Volunteers provides ideas, tools and consulting options for volunteer management professionals, non-profit organizations, government agencies and businesses looking to expand their capacity in volunteer resource management.
