Sue Carter KahlHanding 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.2 min read·Mar 11, 2024----
Sue Carter KahlPicking 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.3 min read·Mar 3, 2024----
Sue Carter KahlWhen 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.7 min read·Apr 20, 2022----
Sue Carter KahlA 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.3 min read·Apr 6, 2022----
Sue Carter KahlFrom 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.6 min read·Mar 1, 2022----
Sue Carter KahlVolunteer 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.6 min read·Jan 5, 2022----
Sue Carter KahlDoes 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.5 min read·Dec 10, 2021----
Sue Carter KahlAbandoning 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…8 min read·Dec 8, 2021----
Sue Carter KahlWhat If We Stopped Counting Volunteer Hours?“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” William Bruce Cameron6 min read·Sep 6, 2021----
Sue Carter KahlAre 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.4 min read·Aug 11, 2021----