Did you know that the word volunteer comes from Latin, and can be translated as "will" (as in doing something out of one’s own free will)? In not-for-profit organizations, volunteer leaders are the proverbial airplane pilots unless, of course, yours...
Recruit, recruit, recruit... Why is everyone so focused on recruitment of volunteers? It seems that every organization I meet these days is focused on recruitment. If only we had more volunteers! If only we had more volunteers...it would solve all...
What could cars and oil changes possibly have to do with building successful volunteer-staff teams? If you are scratching your head, then read on… The analogy comes from Donna Lockhart, CVRM, of RETHINK GROUP. Her father always told her that...
Build understanding and collaboration: Paid staff are respected and are empowered to fully participate in planning, decision-making and management related to volunteer involvement. There is a conscious, active effort to reduce the boundaries and increase the teamwork between paid and...
I am frequently asked, "How do we motivate our volunteers?" My response is, "You don't." Volunteers bring their own unique motivations to their work. A good volunteer manager learns to identify those motivations and then helps each volunteer achieve a...
I have some volunteers that are more trouble than they are worth, but they are good-hearted people who mean well. Another team leader suggested I fire them. Can a nonprofit ethically get rid of people who want to help? Not...
Too often when we ask a member to volunteer his or her time and talent we are greeted with "objections": no time, no interest, maybe next year. This article offers suggestions on how to turn objections into YES. 1. Never...
It seems these days that there aren't enough volunteers (including board members) to go around. If you work with volunteers, you are probably nodding your head in agreement. Statistically, studies like the National Survey of Nonprofit and Voluntary Organizations confirm...
So you want to start a nonprofit? You've got a dream, objective or cause you wish to see to fruition for the good of society. Good on you. It's people like you who provide this country with vital services or...
I recently returned from the annual PAVR-O Conference (Professional Administrators of Volunteer Resources Ontario). I had this idea of "volunteer fatigue" simmering before I left and it was reinforced while I was there. Colleagues presented a range of ideas about...
