Submitted 17 July 2007 by Andrea Hildreth, Volunteer Manager, Bread & Roses, California, USA
I came to the web desperate for help with one or two volunteer issues. Your
article led to my realization that I do not need help with one or two
issues, our entire volunteer program needs review and redesign. I plan to
employ your Spring Cleaning system with enthusiasm, omitting only the
inclusion of a colleague. Thank you for aiding me in this vision and
providing the format to make it happen.
Submitted 2002 May 28 by Colleen Kelly, Executive Director,
Volunteer Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
I think this hot topic is too limited. It's about more than spring
cleaning the volunteer program - it's about spring cleaning the entire
organization. We have to flip-flop everything we're doing in all our
organizations to involve volunteers more effectively. And that means
(non-violently!) getting rid of staff as well as volunteers. How many
of us are up for that challenge?
Submitted 2002May24 by Sue Kelley, Coordinator of Volunteer
Services, United Community Ministries, Virginia
A really great topic. Like many others, I have been super busy with
spring activities. This article comes at just the right time. My goals
and objectives for the new fiscal year beginning in July are on target
with this "Hot Topic". We have grown really "stagnant, musty, and
in need of change" (and those words are hard to admit to). I have
been working on a tool to use to begin the "spring cleaning" process
and your article is a great resource.
Submitted 2002May20 by Laurie Pagel, Income Development Specialist
American Cancer Society, WI/US
It has become glaringly obvious to me that I do need to eliminate
the chairperson on one of my committees along with most of her friends
who are also on the committee. They plan a special event which helps
raise funds for my organization, but none of them like to fundraise!
I'm positive if my chairperson leaves, the other volunteers will go
with her as she is the one who brought them all on board. While she
isn't a good fundraiser, she is influential in the community and I
need at least some people to run the
event this year. The question here is how do I "fire" some
volunteers and still keep my event going in the community?"
Submitted 2002May17 by Diane Liepper, Leipper Management Group
I think Susan's ideas regarding Spring Cleaning are great. It seems
we spend all our time getting programs up and running and getting
volunteers to fill needed positions then breath a sigh of relief,
go on to the next project, and let the program sink or swim on its
own. The responses seem to indicate the two major reasons why more
people don't appear to be enthused about spring cleaning - time and
fear of opening Pandora's box.
I think if we would choose to make the time to get a Spring Cleaning
committee up and running, using Susan's suggestions as a starting
point for developing the structure, it would save time and volunteers
in the long run. It is a great way to catch any trouble spots before
a program fails or a volunteer leaves and we wonder why.A lot of the
suggestions could fit right in with accountability and documentation
needs that we already have to do for our agencies.
Most concerns about opening Pandora's box can be minimized by a well
structured committee, clear goals, and good communication. Getting
volunteers involved in assessing, evaluating, and implementing changes
not only brings in new ideas, it enhances ownership, and provides
opportunities for growth and new skill development. That in addition
to taking a hard look at your programs and weeding out, revamping,
and/or enhancing duties and opportunities all help keep your programs
fresh and up to date which tends to build stronger volunteer committement.
Submitted 2002May15 by Janet Hayley, Manager of Volunteers,
Ontario
I liked the topic! I am very surprised it did not strike a responsive
chord with other readers (see Susan's comments)
Perhaps they, like myself, are caught in the spring whirlwind - the
flurry of spring events & workshops, Volunteer Appreciation events,
end-of-year deadlines etc. I scanned and printed your article but
had no time until now to respond to it. Besides the above activities,
this is the time of year when we update volunteer records, and I found
the suggested questions to ask volunteers VERY helpful. Though forming
a committee is unlikely (nice if you have the luxury of time) I have
been inspired to take a fresh look "to identify areas or issues that
have gotten stale, musty, and in need of change. Another point that
I considered to be relevant: "Consider the work of your organization
and the needs of the people you serve. What are the most pressing
concerns today? Assess whether volunteer activities are addressing
the most critical needs or the peripheral ones". These are good challenging
thoughts. Even if I do not attack the Spring Cleaning in the manner
suggested, I hope the inspiration received will be evidenced in my
thought process and actions.
Submitted 2002Apr08
by "Procrastinator"
Seeing that there were no responses made me re-read
this article. At first, I did just skim because the suggestions you
had were ideas I have been pushing off until another time. It's that
problem of getting the time to "clean" the vol. program
or recruiting and training a volunteer to take over a job I don't
necessarily have to do but still needs to be done. So, I have printed
the article and placed it in my 'to-do' file at least and that will
keep these much needed tasks close-at-mind, at least. Also, I sometimes
hesitate asking too many volunteer's opinions about the program because
then I just open up over 200 floodgates. But I know that one of those
floodgates will be a wealth of new ideas. It's just taking the plunge
and dealing with it.
Sincerely, the procrastinator
Submitted 2002Apr8 by Susan Ellis
Hi again from Susan. It's been several years since we did not receive
a response by now to a new Hot Topic. Wasn't this provocative enough?
Does it seem like advising, rather than pushing hot buttons? Maybe
I wasn't obvious enough about what I thought was "hot" in
this suggestion.
OK. I'll focus the possible controversy or issues to respond to:
- When was the last time you eliminated a volunteer assignment
and why?
- Would you like to eliminate some activity but feel you can't?
Why?
- Feel like eliminating someONE (non-violently, of course)? What's
stopping you?
If you don't like these questions, tell us why this topic didn't interest
you!
