Volunteer Management Blog
Strategic Planning for Volunteer Programs
Strategic planning may seem to be a complicated process to do for your volunteer program, but it keeps you focused and moving forward. Here’s what you need to know.
Embracing the Micro-Volunteering Trend
Micro-volunteering is here to stay. Here’s what it is, and how to position yourself to take advantage of the trend.
Recruit Volunteers who DON’T Fit the Culture
It is standard practice to recruit volunteers, staff and Board members who “fit the culture” of an organization. Unfortunately, we do so at the expense of diversity.
Directors vs Trustees
The titles we give people have a vast influence over how they are viewed by the general public. Take, for instance, the difference between “Directors” and “Trustees”.
Gifts for Volunteers – Beyond Another Hat
Many leaders of volunteers find it difficult to come up with meaningful gifts for volunteers. Here are a few of my favourite ones, and why I like them.
Investing in Volunteers
Investing in volunteers isn’t a top priority for most organizations and funding sources. It should be, because not doing it is hurting everyone. Here’s what we can do to help.
A New Golden Rule
Are you aware that there’s a new golden rule? People are discovering that treating others the way you want to be treated just isn’t enough.
Six Emerging Trends in Volunteering
Do you want to know what to watch for in the new year? Here are six emerging trends in the volunteering world to keep an eye on.
3 Tips to Engage Kids as Volunteers
If you want to engage kids as volunteers – and have them volunteer into adulthood – there are three things that you need to provide. They might not be what you think!
Volunteer Fair Success
It takes planning & preparation for a table at a volunteer fair to lead to reliable, committed volunteers. Here are some things for you to think about ahead of time.
Creating Popular Appreciation Events
Volunteers not attending your appreciation events? If you are spending time and resources in putting on events just for them and they don’t show up, you may need to create the event in a different way.
Quiet Quitting in Not-for-Profits
Quiet quitting is starting to affect not-for-profits. Here is a way you can keep your staff engaged and active.
Feedback vs Feed Forward
Should you provide volunteers with feedback – or feed FORWARD? What are the pros and cons of focusing on the past vs the future? And is it necessary to choose?
How Would a Four-Day Work Week Affect Volunteering?
More and more people and companies are looking into the option of a four-day work week. If that were to become common, how would it affect the world of volunteering?
Why You Need a Mentor
When trying to learn a new role, or a new skill, nothing is as valuable as a good mentor. Here’s why, and how to find one.
Audit Your Volunteer Program
Stop thinking of “audit” as a dirty word. When you audit your volunteer program regularly, you save time and increase its efficiency and effectiveness.
Staff Shortages are Affecting Volunteers
Are staff shortages affecting the volunteers in your organization? It’s a growing problem in our current environment. Here are a few ways to limit the fallout.
Get More Done – Easily!
Do you find yourself working full out, yet never seeming to get the important things done? Here is a simple way to get more done that has been around for ages – because it works for most people.
Supercharge Your Volunteer Training
Are volunteers grumbling about taking training? It’s a common problem. Here are the four most common reasons volunteers dislike training, and four tips to supercharge your volunteer training.
My Favourite Volunteer Quotes
I decided today to share some of my favourite volunteer quotes and why I love them. From Seneca to Audrey Hepburn, from Malala Yousafzai to Muhammad Ali, here is wisdom distilled into a few lines. I hope you find them as insightful as I do.