I attended a seminar led by Lowell Aplebuam, CAE on volunteerism.
While we all have our idea of what works for us, I took the following ideas to heart and can see where we might all be able to expand on his suggestions.
While we all have our idea of what works for us, I took the following ideas to heart and can see where we might all be able to expand on his suggestions.
Make it personal. Reshape the volunteer experience for your organization by allowing your volunteers to give back, receive recognition and gain credibility.
You should think of the following on how to involve young professionals?
- Structures of inclusion (different levels)
- Executive leadership, starting early
- Empowering recruitment (peer to peer)
- What do they want to learn
- What can they contribute
Create a job description for the volunteer to set expectations:
- Micro volunteering is a great way to get the younger generations involved in your program of work - use them as content specialists - write a blog, etc.
- Create a quick volunteer role at an existing program - volunteer behind the registration desk, then recognize them and ask them to do more
Create micro opportunities to participate in your organization - what
can they do?
- For a program
- For communications
- For social media - post three pictures on Instagram
- For outreach
- Be a photographer
Skills Based Volunteering - pick volunteers based on their skill-set vs they have no experience
but you find a way
- Finance skill set could be your Treasurer
- Fundraiser
- Marketing expert
- Event planning
- Foodie can help with your events where F&B are involved
What is the appropriate balance for your board? Are you keeping your retirees involved with your boards? They have the knowledge and expertise in the sector. They also have:
- Time
- Talent
- Treasure (money)
Do you have a retired member coordinator? These folks have been your supporters over the years why kick them to the curb?
The Volunteer Precipice:
The End of the Volunteer Path - he ended with the following three areas to think about if you think about resetting the volunteer experience (path to the chair) that has been around our chambers for so many years.
What are we losing?
What are we losing?
- Organizational history
- Strategic fluency
- Key VIP connections
- Models of passion and loyalty
- Association operational mastery
What are the risks?
- Strategic overstep
- Burnout
- Ego
- Growth
- Creating the space for models of respect
Build a bridge for journey extension after the normal volunteer engagement.
- President's advisory council
- Foundation Service
- Volunteer first responders
- Diamond in the rough mentors
- New member orientation
- Story tellers/evangelists
- Thought leaders - research focus
At the end of the day, he left us with the idea of thinking about volunteering as a journey, not a position and make sure you recognize your volunteers on a regular basis!
