Handing in the Volunteer CapeVolunteerism that is plug-&-play-&-walk-away meets a need but is rarely relational. True community asks us to show up and keep showing up.Mar 11Mar 11
Picking a Friend of the Year Based on Hours Contributed to our RelationshipWe don’t honor friends based on time spent together, yet that’s how we honor volunteers.Mar 3Mar 3
When and Where to Use Wage Replacement Rates (or Not) for Volunteer ValueThere is a time and place to report volunteer numbers, hours, and dollar value, but not every time nor every place.Apr 20, 2022Apr 20, 2022
A Contrarian’s Guide to Volunteer Value (Or an Ode to Volunteer Worth)Stop trying to prove that volunteers are valuable. They are or are not. Numbers don’t make them so.Apr 6, 2022Apr 6, 2022
From a Day of Service to Beloved CommunityI wonder how we might shift from a “day on” to Dr. King’s vision of Beloved Community. From done in a day to begun in a day.Mar 1, 2022Mar 1, 2022
Volunteer Purpose: Low-Cost Labor, Value-Added Partners, or More?Having a conversation about volunteer purpose ensures leaders are making an intentional decision about volunteer engagement.Jan 5, 2022Jan 5, 2022
Does Volunteerism Have a Low Value Proposition?Perceived high time commitment plus low or inconsistent payoff doesn’t feel like a winning combination for most people.Dec 10, 2021Dec 10, 2021
Abandoning Niceness in Volunteer EngagementWe seem to confuse communicating directly or withholding bad news as being nice. And whether we admit it or not, many of us in nonprofits…Dec 8, 2021Dec 8, 2021
What If We Stopped Counting Volunteer Hours?“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” William Bruce CameronSep 6, 2021Sep 6, 2021
Are Volunteers More Trouble Than They Are Worth?Nonprofits rely on good will and trust. Volunteerism is one way to secure these relational assets that can’t be bought, only earned.Aug 11, 2021Aug 11, 2021
