Category Archives: People
By Ann Swain With all that we have to do as managers of volunteers, it may be difficult to even consider becoming a part of a ‘network’. Specifically, a ‘network of managers of volunteers’ may actually be one of the … Continue reading
Posted in Partnerships, People, Professional Development
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Moving toward balance: Identifying where you are spending your time
By Jane Haskell Last month in Juggling? Or Balance? I outlined the steps for creating a self-care plan which was, in fact, a personal affinity diagram. Having this self-care plan is an excellent step toward creating the balance you might … Continue reading
Posted in Managing Performance, People, Strategies
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American Friends Helping Refugees, One Family at a Time
By Steve Letourneau Imagine arriving in Portland, Maine from a refugee camp in Somalia or Burma and not knowing the language or the customs of America. How do I mail a letter? What do traffic lights mean? What type of … Continue reading
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Juggling? Or Balance?
By Jane E Haskell When you are the facilitator (or leader) of a group, it is important to realize how important you are in that process and structure. Let’s think about self-care in relation to facilitation and group leadership. Sometimes … Continue reading
Posted in Facilitation, People, Strategies
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Volunteering: from an “obligation” and “expectation” to a “Calling”
By Stephen Letourneau Growing up with five brothers it was a common experience for us boys to rake leaves for our elderly neighbors, shovel driveways, participate in paper drives for recycling, painting, etc. If we were not out throwing footballs … Continue reading
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3 Organizational Communication Trainings that Can Add Value; Part II: Research Interviewing
By Sarah Ryan, Ph.D. Last time, I made a case for the value of Organizational Communication training for effective meetings. This month, the topic is interviewing. In my current line of work, this is the most important training I do. … Continue reading
Honoring Long-Term Volunteers
By Jamie Andrew Most organizations have at least one: that volunteer who’s been consistently helping longer than any of the staff members have even been working at said organization. Usually, the volunteer loves the organization, loves the staff, and loves … Continue reading
Posted in People, Retention
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Reclaiming the Term “Volunteer.”
Any reason to volunteer is a good one, but I’d like to challenge the idea that volunteering is something we should do – rather, could be something we’d like to do. Continue reading
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3 Organizational Communication Trainings that Can Add Value (for your organization and its volunteers!); Part I: Convening Effective Meetings
When we engage in volunteer and staff trainings, we often focus on the broad benefits to our organizations. These are excellent outcomes, but trainings can achieve much more. Continue reading
Posted in Facilitation, People, Training
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Charismatic Organizations and Volunteers
Recently I was asked to present a workshop on volunteer management using Shirley Sagawa and Deb Jospin’s book “The Charismatic Organization” as a framework. I recommend the book highly. Its focus in not primarily on the role of volunteers in … Continue reading
Posted in Managing Organizations, People, Publications, Research
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