Volunteer Matters
Is a fractional volunteer coordinator right for your organization?
The term “fractional volunteer coordinator” is one that most people are unfamiliar with. Briefly, fractional volunteer coordinators are highly...
How to stop this growing trend from hurting your not-for-profit
According to Stats Canada, a large and quickly growing majority of volunteers are listed as “informal”. In other words, they are people helping...
Two common delegation traps and how to avoid them
Leaders, especially of volunteers, often fall into one of two traps when delegating: they either tell their volunteers in excruciating detail how to do the task...
How to stop this growing trend from hurting your not-for-profit
According to Stats Canada, a large and quickly growing majority of volunteers are listed as “informal”. In other words, they are people helping...
Take a closer look at the 'micro-volunteering' trend
One of the biggest trends affecting volunteer-supported organizations right now is the trend toward “micro-volunteering.” More and more people...
Recruit volunteers who don't 'fit the culture'
I read an interesting report recently that got me thinking about how we tend to recruit volunteers who fit the culture of an organization. The Volunteer...
Appropriate name for board members
I've been thinking a lot recently about the different titles used for board members around the world. Here in Canada, for example, we call them directors....
Going beyond a ball cap when it comes to recognizing volunteers' efforts
I often see posts on social media about what to give as gifts for volunteers. Whether the gifts are for reaching a milestone, to celebrate Volunteer Week, or...
It's smart to invest in volunteers and volunteer programs
We haven’t invested in volunteers—and it shows. Volunteer programs are like the foundations of a house. They are put in place and then hidden away,...
Treat people like they want to be treated
Have you heard? There’s a new golden rule. There are many versions of the “golden rule”, from many different religions and tenets, dating back...
How to become a volunteer magnet
The other day, I was asked what’s the best way to attract volunteers. The short answer? Give them what they want. Actually, that’s the long answer,...
Six emerging trends in volunteering
What are some of the emerging trends in volunteering that may affect you in 2023? Earlier this month, I spent two days at an in-person conference put on by...
Four early warning signs of team conflict
The best time to stop conflict is before it starts. Have you heard that advice before? It’s much easier said than done. How do you stop something before...
Ways to engage kids as volunteers
Do you want to engage kids as volunteers? I remember when my son, Eric, was very small (he’s bigger than me now!), we volunteered at our local petting...
Success at a volunteer fair means more than just showing up
Has your organization ever participated in a volunteer fair? It can be an amazingly effective way of gaining community exposure and meeting potential volunteers...
Planning appreciation events volunteers will show up to
Creating popular volunteer appreciation events I hear from a lot of people, when they put on an appreciation event for volunteers, few or no one comes....
'Quiet quitting' in the not-for-profit sector
You have likely heard about the trend of “quiet quitting” that seems to be taking over the working world. People are not doing more than what is...
When correcting mistakes, look forward and back
Last week, I posted an excerpt from my book “The ABCs of Leading Volunteers” about providing volunteers with feedback. Charlene Dishaw posted a...
How would a four-day work week affect volunteering?
I read an article this week about a four-day work week study being done in the UK. It got me thinking about how such a change, if it became standard, would...
Why you need a mentor
I firmly believe that having a mentor is the greatest way to learn. I mentor people and I have two mentors myself. My mentors have mentors. No one knows...