Are Your Volunteer Roles Too Big? How to Redesign Them
While it would be great if all volunteers were natural born leaders, had tons of time to give, and were willing to take on even the toughest tasks, it isn't always the case. So, what can we do?
While it would be great if all volunteers were natural born leaders, had tons of time to give, and were willing to take on even the toughest tasks, it isn't always the case. So, what can we do?
Volunteers are making a deep, personal choice when they agree to join your team. They are making an investment, with a calculated risk, that their time and energy will be used effectively. And, contrary to today's stock market, they expect to realize good returns.
On this day of remembrance, I’m reflecting on how well (or poorly) we dare to dream and have the courage to share our deepest aspirations. Are our volunteer recruitment efforts failing to inspire?
All kinds of businesses have loyalty programs. Why don’t nonprofits create loyalty programs for their supporters? Could a loyalty program help you better capture the attention of a group of people dedicated to your cause and then continue to build their trust over time?
It’s that time of year, where we (in the US) wait eagerly for our wage, income, and tax statements to arrive and we scramble to find all those receipts we need to complete our federal tax returns. Why not help your volunteers get all the deductions they have coming?
Much of the job of initiating volunteers is helping newcomers negotiate conflicting emotions – surprise, fear, ambiguity, etc. – as they work to settle into their volunteer jobs comfortably. Unfortunately, too few organizations take a strategic and thoughtful approach to onboarding. As a result, they become a revolving door for dissappointed volunteers seeking a better fit elsewhere and are left wondering why.