Fostering Diversity
Initial Contributions
Contribute to the Collective Wisdom Series
In 1998, Energize published What We Learned
(the Hard Way) about Supervising Volunteers. It was the first
in a planned occasional series of books we dubbed the Collective
Wisdom Series because our goal was to solicit as many contributions
from as many colleagues as possible on subjects common in the practice
of volunteer leadership. The first book had 85 different contributors
- and that was before we had the Internet as a communications tool!
We now want to compile a second volume in the Collective Wisdom Series, this time on the topic of diversity. Why? Because we all talk about diversity, yet rarely write about it. It's an important subject no matter what setting or even what country you are in.
After reviewing the information below, click the "Share Your Wisdom" link at the bottom of the page and post your contribution!
Why Should You Contribute?
Most of our colleagues will never write a book or even an article.
But many of you have some great ideas and excellent experience that
ought to be shared. Here is a way to write a brief description of
what you know, really help others by doing so, and getting into "print"!
Because of the power of the Energize Web site, we feel confident
that we will be able to gather together the suggestions of hundreds
of practitioners from around the world. And meanwhile, your ideas
will be available to everyone here even before the complete book is
done.
What Do We Mean by "Diversity"?
Too often the term "diversity" is applied only to involving
people of different races or cultural backgrounds, which is certainly
a very important theme. Most volunteer efforts want to welcome a rainbow
of participants. But your definition of volunteer "diversity"
will depend entirely on who is volunteering with you now and on more
characteristics than race. If you have mainly female volunteers, then
your diversity issue is finding men. Maybe you have a volunteer corps
that is "aging in place" and you want to attract more young
people. Your diversity issue may be needing people from a wider range
of economic levels.
What Topics Are We Looking For?
Here is a starter set of proposed topics within "Diversity."
If we receive submissions that do not fit these headings, we'll add
new ones as necessary.
Adapting
Strategies to attract and welcome new types of volunteers into the
volunteer setting.
Training
Ways to prepare paid staff and current volunteers to work successfully
with new volunteers who might be different from them - and how to
prepare newcomers to be effective and feel welcome.
Special Situations
Do you have a story to tell about what works and what doesn't when
you recruit certain types of people as volunteers? Any resources
that are available to others? Please tell us!
- Cultural Diversity
- Men and Women - Balancing the Scales Integrating by Race or
Nationality·
- Overcoming Language or Literacy Barriers
- Working with People with Physical Disabilities
- Working with People Who Are Mentally or Emotionally Challenged
- Working with Immigrants or Refugees
- Working with Low-Income Volunteers
- Coping with Issues of Age
(young or old)
Be Part of the Collective Wisdom Series! Post today! Thanks!
2/27/2006
Share
Your Wisdom
