If you’re like most volunteer program administrators, you “wear many hats.” The constant need to multi-task is a critical issue that needs to be addressed. But, given the current economic climate and budget shortfalls, it’s not likely that help is on the horizon. To succeed in this environment, we may need to work smarter, not harder.
7 Hidden Strengths of Volunteer Risk Management: It's About Growth! Volunteer risk management is more than just keeping bad things from happening – it can also help you make better planning and management decisions and support the growth and sustainability of your nonprofit. There is no shortage of scandals in the media. Without the funds for [...]
Naturally, leaders of volunteers want to express their gratitude for the contributions of their volunteers and want to encourage them to continue their efforts. As I work on a volunteer recognition and retention plan for one of my consulting clients, I’ve taken a step back to reconsider -- What really motivates us? How can that be integrated into how we reward and recognize volunteers?
A How to Guide on Leading with Gratitude Last week, I was the lucky beneficiary of several expressions of gratitude from clients and friends. Their heartfelt thank you notes and intention of leading with gratitude really helped lift my spirits during an otherwise tough week. Their generosity also got me thinking about the power of gratitude. [...]
The Problem with Hidden Biases and a Strategy to Reduce Bias Have you ever been in a volunteer or board meeting where one person suggests a course of action and everyone just goes with it, without really questioning the viability of the solution? Conversely, have you ever been in a meeting where the group sees a [...]
How to Hire a High-Quality Volunteer Management Consultant Hiring a volunteer management consultant can be a smart investment for your nonprofit, provided you find the right person with a solid mix of expertise, wisdom, credibility, and people skills. Moreover, because consultants spend part of their time reviewing emerging research and best practices, they can bring [...]
If you are struggling to find ways to motivate volunteers, or don't seem to have enough "leader" volunteers available, consider rennovating how you make decisions. Try leading from within, rather than from the top, by using a shared leadership model.
MP900387727In today's wired world, volunteers can make significant contributions to an organization, even if they live tens, hundreds, or thousands of miles away. Working virtually volunteers can be just as effective (or as ineffective) as those working on site.
Trends in Volunteer Management You Need to Know About Our yearly Volunteer Management Progress Report finds that while there are promising volunteer management trends in the field of volunteer administration, there are also missed opportunities. The most disappointing trend is the consistent lack of knowledge about (or existence of) agency budgets allocated for volunteer programs [...]
Common volunteer management approaches reflect traditional views of human nature as egocentric, motivated by self-interest and the will to survive. New research, however, shows the opposite may be true.