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Recognition Idea
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e-Thanks
I found a great way to say thanks to a volunteer or co-worker
when you're short on time. Send an "e-Praise" email at baudville.com. You can choose a theme of thanks,
recognition or celebrations, personalize it and the company will send
you a copy. It's great!
- Submitted by Kim Gube, Volunteer Coordinator,
American Red Cross National Capital Chapter Share Your Recognition Idea
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Volunteerism Quote |
"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know:
The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have
sought and found how to serve." - Albert SchweitzerShare Your Quote
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Energize Volunteer Management Update May 2010
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May Hot Topic: The Self-Directed Volunteer
A
conference in April explored a new (maybe) type of service: the self-directed
volunteer. Learn what this is all about and decide for
yourself whether it's a trend you can adapt in your organization. Is it "organized neighborliness" or something really different? What's the role
of social media in mobilizing self-directed volunteers?
Read this Month's Hot Topic You
can subscribe to the Hot Topic as a podcast or
RSS text feed --
or listen to the audio online.
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Connect with Energize on Facebook
You can now find us on Facebook! Add us to your
favorite Pages (by clicking "Like") and support our goal of empowering leaders of
volunteers, volunteer programs, and organization-wide volunteer involvement.
We've joined Facebook to make even
more connections between volunteer management professionals and the many
powerful resources available for improving the way we involve volunteers in our
organizations. For example, on the left-hand side of our page on Facebook
you'll notice our Favorite Pages box (links to other outstanding people and
organizations in volunteer management) and our Links box (links to interesting
information related to volunteer management). Check these out when you visit
our page to see what we find interesting and valuable. And please give us
feedback and other ideas to make the page more useful to you.
In the weeks and months to come, we hope to learn more about
how Facebook can help us encourage dialogue between our colleagues and us. In
the meantime, visit the page to see what Energize is focusing on at that
moment, whether it is a new book release, activity at a conference, or news
from the field. For all of our full in-depth discussions, information, lists of
tons of links and articles, connections to the field, etc., continue to visit our Web site.
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Advanced Volunteer Management Institute Back for 4th
Year
For the fourth consecutive
year, the Advanced Volunteer Management Institute (AVMI) will be held in conjunction with the National Conference on Volunteering and Service. This learning opportunity for experienced
volunteer resource managers will be held this year on June 26 and 27 in New York City. Join facilitators Martin J
Cowling, Susan Ellis, Rick Lynch, Steve McCurley and Betty Stallings in this
high-level, engaging, and enlightening exploration of advanced topics in
volunteer program management for nonprofit, government and community
organizations. Participants will:
- Explore cutting-edge approaches for effective volunteer engagement
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Focus on the challenges facing volunteer programs in our rapidly changing
world
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Engage in individualized conversations with other advanced volunteer
program managers
For details on the AVMI
agenda, go to: http://www.volunteeringandservice.org/plan/advanced-volunteer-management-institute.cfm.
Attendance for the two-day
event costs $200 ($150 for HandsOn Network members). Although you
register through the National Conference form, you may attend the AVMI without
paying for the full conference, which runs from June 28 to 30. To
register, go to: http://www.volunteeringandservice.org/register.cfm.
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Susan's Tip of the Month: Get Governance Volunteers to Interact
It's the
time of year when organizations run conferences, special events, and volunteer
recognition functions. Such gatherings
are great opportunities to educate board volunteers about what other
volunteers/members are doing, connect the board directly with a range of people
who have opinions about the organization, and make the board visible to other
stakeholders. The main
goal is for the board to simply mingle, talk and listen. Accomplishing this, however, takes
planning. Here are some suggestions:
- Don't
keep the board together as a group at any event. Instead, scatter them to seats at different banquet tables, have each attend different concurrent workshops, and even sit
randomly throughout the hall at a plenary session. Then, encourage informal conversation, but with a purpose: Agree on one to three questions that every board member will ask participants during the course of the event, so that afterwards you can share frequent responses.
- Make
sure board volunteers are identifiable by special nametags, color codes, or
ribbons. Give the average member a
fighting chance to recognize and talk with them.
- Limit
private meetings to conduct board business during events as which other
attendees may perceive such absence from the room as conveniently avoiding
interaction with members. Even if this
is a false assumption in terms of motive, board members who are kept in private
meetings simply cannot be talking to members at the same time. Hold board meetings before or after, but
allow board members the freedom to actually participate in the event
itself.
- Depending
on the personalities of board volunteers and the culture of your organization,
add some fun into the proceedings. Rotate officers at the podium for introductions or moderating panels,
but have them introduce themselves with a short anecdote about their most
memorable organization moment, why they ran for the board, or what mistakes
they made in the past. Or have them hand
out gag gifts as special recognition to selected members. Or dress them in costumes. Whatever works in your situation.
It's the
board chair who establishes board culture and therefore has the responsibility
of assuring that the sort of staying-connected activities described here become
a natural expectation of the role of any board member. The chair models behavior, of course. Does the chair stand on ceremony, keeping
staff and volunteers distant and rarely mingling informally? Most leaders do not intentionally act
regal. At a minimum, you can suggest
more effective ways to interact at an event focused on volunteers for the
purpose of celebrating the contribution of time and expertise. Maybe your executive can then keep the
momentum going!
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About Us Energize empowers and inspires leaders of volunteers worldwide. Our specialty is creating and selecting the most relevant, innovative resources in volunteer management. We're advocates for the power of
volunteers and for the recognition of the leaders who unleash it.
Energize, Inc. 5450 Wissahickon Ave. C-13 Philadelphia PA 19144 Phone: 215-438-8342 Fax: 215-438-0434 [email protected]
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Pass It On! Pass on this update to interested
news groups and others who work with volunteers.
Material may be re-posted or
printed without additional permission, provided credit is given to Energize,
Inc., and our Web site address is included: http://www.energizeinc.com/.
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