The Inside Scoop: Part 2 of 2

Contiued from the post of November 19, 2013.

Q. Those seem to be diverse activities. Can you give us an idea of what it is that you do?
A. Well, as I mentioned, the first organization was Volunteers in Action, in which I still do volunteer work. When I started with them several years ago, they were known as Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers. They announced a need for a handy man on Volunteer Connect. The jobs are usually small things that take just a few minutes. For example, I provided a ride to a doctor’s appointment.

Next, I volunteered at the Deschutes Children’s Foundation (DCF). They provide facilities for non-profit organizations in Bend, Redmond, and La Pine. Part of the arrangement is maintenance services for the occupants. My role is that of accomplishing what I consider the “honey-do list.” This involves simple tasks such as changing light bulbs.

Volunteer Connect announced a need for an e-newsletter editor and I thought I would give it a try. One of the neat things about the job is that I could work from home. The newsletter appears once a month and involves developing a theme, finding out what is new, and fitting it all into a format. The Volunteer Connect staff supplies information. So, the job doesn’t take much time.

Overall, I think a quote by Harriet Naylor sums it up:
“Volunteering can be an exciting, growing, enjoyable experience. It is truly gratifying to serve a cause, practice one's ideals, work with people, solve problems, see benefits, and know that one had a hand in them.”

A Volunteer’s Inside Scoop: Part 1 of 2

Ever wonder how to go about volunteering? What is it like? Why do it? These are all questions that frequently come up. So, we asked a volunteer to share some of his experiences and thoughts. The questions and responses are divided into two parts. The first is this week’s post and Part Two is next week.

Q. How did you find a volunteer activity?
A. I learned of Volunteer Connect, a clearing house for many volunteer activities here in Central Oregon. It was easy to access their website and I usually checked the listing about once a week. I have actually found three activities in which I currently participate. First was Volunteers in Action. It is a group that helps seniors and the disabled remain in their homes. The second was the Deschutes Children’s Foundation who operates four facilities used by non-profit agencies. The third, and most recent, was serving as the e-newsletter editor for Volunteer Connect itself.

I find that not only does the volunteering keep me busy, it offers a chance to meet new people, and of course, it is very satisfying to know that my efforts are appreciated. It is eminently rewarding to feel that I am giving something back to the community.

Next week: Part Two.

Four Practical Strategies for Volunteer Training

Do you feel that your training program could be better?

Tobi Johnson has penned an article titled, “How to Design Volunteer Training That Helps Not Hurts Learning.” Using brain studies and learning theory, Tobi created best practice strategies that help volunteers navigate a training program without being overwhelmed.

The strategies are:

• Integrate Practice Into Training.
• Feed the Right Emotions.
• Reduce Cognitive Overload.
• Support Metacognitive Skill Building.

Click here for this “must read.”

Fund Raising with Gamification

An interesting and promising approach to non-profit fund raising is discussed in an article by Mona Gonzalez. The author details the use of gamification.

For those who are new to the idea, here is a quick definition: Gamification involves the use of elements of a computer game such as achieving different levels, clues, rewards, etc. for marketing or other non-game purposes.

Adding gamification to a fund raising effort can unleash benefits that, just a few years before, were undreamed of. Consider, if you will, the success of the Rotary Clubs of Central Oregon Duck Race with a million dollars raised for local non-profits.

Several examples of the use of gamification are given in the article along with ideas such:

• Having a contest.

• The use of photographs.

• Creating a game.

• Use of quizzes.

• Making an invention.

The author also provides some special tips regarding the game’s clarity, use of social media, and considerations of the buzz resulting from gamification. Read the entire article here.

Here is a somewhat complete example of gamification in practice.

Ways to say Thank You to Volunteers

Letting volunteers know they are appreciated can keep them engaged and continuing to volunteer. Here are a few ways to show appreciation.

• Directly say to the volunteer, “Thanks for volunteering today.”
• Print a set of business cards for the volunteer.
• Greet them by name.
• Send out volunteer e-Cards.
• Commemorate milestones of service such as one month, one year, five years, etc.
• Mention the volunteer in a newsletter, Facebook, or Twitter.
• Publish an article about the person on the blog.

More suggestions? Let us know your favorite by using Comments.

Best Practices for Volunteer Orientation

Why doesn’t a volunteer persist? Shawn Kindrick of Volunteer Hub offers several activities that can help the volunteer stay.

• Start with a personal discussion where one discovers what the volunteer wants from their activity.

• Give the volunteer a handbook that discusses the organization’s procedures and policies.

• Provide a mentor.

• Offer feedback on their performance.

Read the complete discussion here.

Maximize Your Volunteers

Author Susan J. Ellis, in her book titled From the Top Down: The Executive Role in Volunteer Program Success, sets out nine aspects of volunteers that can help the organization grow. Several of the aspects are given below.

The volunteers can:

• Bring other spheres of influence.

• Focus on a single issue.

• Be more frank about the organization.

• Be powerful advocates with elected officials and the media.

• Allow a nonprofit to experiment with new ideas, programs, and service models.

Read more here.