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Engaging Program Volunteers in Nonprofits
This month, we invited Kait Whiteside from the Max Higbee Center to talk about the key to successfully engaging long-term program volunteers.
Max Higbee Center is a small nonprofit providing community-based recreation programs for teens and adults with developmental disabilities in Whatcom County. Our Center offers 45 hours of specialized programming each week on a meager budget of $200 per month for all program supplies. In order to offer diverse and engaging programming, we rely heavily on community volunteers to enhance our programs and activities. The most mutually beneficial experiences have been recruiting committed, long-term volunteers who assume a leadership role in programs. For example, one of our long-term volunteers provides nearly 50 musical instruments to lead an interactive drumming circle each month. Another volunteer offers his expertise in martial arts and has created adaptive classes for over 20 years. A race director works with us in the summer months to customize fitness activities. Another volunteer brings her karaoke equipment and runs a fabulous karaoke night at our Weekend Program. These individuals add vibrancy, diversity, and a sense of community to our programs.
Finding these committed individuals can be challenging. Many of our volunteers attend programs a couple of times and then disappear, never to be seen again. A few make it to a volunteer orientation but never take the next step to help in a program. So what's the key to successfully engaging long-term program volunteers? We aren't entirely sure. But here are a few tips we've collected along our journey of volunteer recruitment and retention:
- Give detailed instructions on how to get started. Over a year ago we took a long, hard look at Max Higbee Center's volunteer approach and determined that our volunteer opportunities and descriptions were too vague, leaving people at a loss with how to get started. Telling volunteers "see you in programs whenever it works for you!" at the end of an orientation just isn't good enough. Volunteers needed direction, support and clear action steps on how and when to get started.
- Volunteers need to feel needed. Our amazing long-term volunteers were given specific responsibilities and a leadership role that allowed them to shine and contribute to programs. We believe it is for this reason these individuals come back month after month. Volunteers who show up to support programs but lack a specific role often struggle to find purpose and value as a volunteer.
- Recruit for a specific talent or skill set. It has worked to our advantage to approach potential volunteers based on their background and expertise. This allows the volunteer to clearly envision how they can contribute to programs. It often leads to meaningful experiences where the volunteer feels confident, prepared and qualified in their contribution.
- Volunteers are not staff. It is important to acknowledge that volunteers are contributing a gift for the organization to receive rather than a service for the organization to require. It is appropriate to give direction and support for volunteers to grow and meet basic standards, but beyond that, an organization and staff must apply different expectations and communication to a volunteer. Many volunteers are motivated by the joy of giving, and in turn it is important to embrace the joy of receiving, which leads to our final tip....
- Appreciate. Create big and small, formal and informal, written and verbal opportunities to recognize and appreciate your volunteers. And do it often. This kind of regular and profuse appreciation affirms that volunteers are making a valuable contribution and impact that is worth their time and energy.
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2016 Northwest Nonprofit Capacity Report
Our Strengths - Our Challenges - Our Resilience
Washington Nonprofits is pleased to work with the other four northwest state nonprofit associations to released this comprehensive study on the capacity, strengths, and challenges of the region's nonprofit sector. The
2016 Northwest Nonprofit Capacity Report: Our Strengths - Our Challenges - Our Resilience
was developed using survey data from over 1,000 nonprofits in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Thank you to everyone who filled out our Sector Survey between November 2015 and January 2016.
The report highlights the progress nonprofits are making in creating a resilient sector. The study specifically focuses on four core areas for building capacity: mission effectiveness, collaboration, public policy, and use of data and evaluation. The data points to some progress that nonprofits have made, but says that progress is limited. According to the report, all stakeholders - including nonprofit organizations, funders, and government - share the responsibility to support and enhance the performance of the sector.
The report recommends:
- Nonprofits: The report recommends that nonprofits pay greater attention to strengthening their ability to use data and planning tools effectively and to engage in collaboration and advocacy to bring about more systemic change within communities.
- Funders: It calls on funders to provide more unrestricted financial support to strengthen the critical infrastructure of nonprofits which allows them to better fulfill their mission and diversify revenue sources.
- Government: Finally, the report asks government to seek more participation by nonprofits in setting public policy. It finds that too often an adversarial undercurrent exists between government and nonprofits, likely caused by budget cuts brought on by the recession.
The organizations that developed the report include
The Foraker Group from Alaska, the
Idaho Nonprofit Center, the
Montana Nonprofit Association, the Nonprofit Association of Oregon, and
Washington Nonprofits.
Luma Consulting in Seattle assisted with reviewing the data and summarizing its findings. Financial support for the survey came from the
M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust in Vancouver, WA;
Philanthropy Northwest in Seattle, WA; and
GiveGab in Ithaca, NY.
"This survey data is invaluable in understanding the needs of nonprofits and their communities in the northwest. At the Trust, we have come to appreciate and gain great benefit from this type of data to help inform us about the needs of the nonprofits in the areas in which we partner and serve," said M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust CEO Steve Moore.
A printed report that summarizes the survey findings, as well as the full text, is available on the
Washington Nonprofits website.
For more information please contact:
Alison McCaffree, Executive Director, Washington Nonprofits,
ed@washingtonnonprofits.org, 855-299-2922
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Whatcom County Resource Guide
Intended as a quick reference guide to community resources. Not a complete listing. Please refer to the Community Resource Guide
HERE
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Resources & Opportunities
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WhatCalendar!!!
New website designed to promote local events, prevent date conflicts
A new website designed to promote local events and help event planners avoid date conflicts has been launched by the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
The website can be reached through two domain addresses:
www.WhatCalendar.com
and
www.BhamEvent.com
. It is emphasizing community events in Whatcom County that are open to the public, fundraisers, galas, ticketed events, major events that will draw more than 500 people and athletic competitions such as runs, races and soccer tournaments. The website isn't designed for weddings, regular or recurring events and meetings, and events that are open only to an organization's members. We are encouraging nonprofit organizations to use this new tool to schedule and promote events as we will be taking the current nonprofit scheduling calendar down.
The event listings are free and open to all Whatcom County residents, not just Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber members.
"We've seen examples of date conflicts where a nonprofit organization scheduled a major fundraiser and didn't know that another major event was planned the same evening," said Guy Occhiogrosso, president/CEO of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber. "As a result, both events suffer because people can attend only one of them."
"By using this website, planners gain more exposure for their event and see if any date conflicts already exist," he said.
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Helping Nonprofits Thrive!!
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Fall Quarter Workshops at
Whatcom Community College
Some Nonprofit Essentials:
October 28 and November 4, 9am to 11am: Grant Writing Level 2
Grantwriting 1 is $95; Grantwriting 2 is $139
Or attend both GW 1 and 2 for just $199
Tuesday, November 15 - 9am to noon: Benefit Your Bottom Line with Community Involvement
When you click REGISTER ONLINE you can locate the classes by Date or by Instructor
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Weekly Volunteer Hot Sheet
Click here
to see the upcoming opportunities available this month!
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Nonprofit Learning Events
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Boards in Gear
(FUN) makes nonprofit finance fun through short videos featuring a CPA and improv actor. Yes, what board members need to know spells BINGO, and there is a BINGO card should your board want to test what they learn.
11/1 - SEATTLE & ONLINE: The New Overtime Rules
More
11/2 - KENNEWICK: Boards in Gear
More
11/3 - SEATTLE: Microenterprise 101
More
11/4 - ONLINE: Insurance Basics for Nonprofits
More
11/8 -ONLINE: Idealware: Using Data to Transform your Organization
More
11/8 - YAKIMA: Central Washington Nonprofit Netwrk Lunch &Learn
More
11/9 - SKAGIT: Board in Gear
More
11/10 - SPOKANE: Generosity & Gratitude: A Guide to Joyful Fundraising
More
11/10 - SEQUIM: Nonprofit Happy Hour
More
11/11 - ONLINE: New Member Orientation
More
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Boards in Gear Workshop
Workshop for nonprofit boards in Skagit
"Boards in Gear was AWESOME! My board members really got a lot out of it, and so did I. My board meeting was on Tuesday, and we've already utilized some things we learned to move our board forward."
- Paige Collins, Council on Aging & Human Services, Pullman
Presenter: Virginia D. Lang, Lang Consulting
When: Wednesday, November 9, 2016,
12:30pm-4:30pm
Host:
Skagit Publishing-1215 Anderson Board, Mount Vernon, WA 98274
This interactive, hands-on workshop will cover board responsibilities, operations, development, fundraising, and advocacy. It is based on the Boards in Gear resources developed in partnership with some of our state's leading board experts. You will leave with concrete action steps, tools, and connections. Strengthening the practice of nonprofit boards within a community will lead to more effective and sustainable results as that community addresses poverty, education, the environment and other critical issues.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: This workshop is designed for board members and the people who work with them, namely executive directors and program staff. It offers ideas for new board members and those who have served for a long time. It is appropriate for organizations of all sizes, whether they have staff or not.
About the Presenter
Virginia D. Lang, Lang Consulting
Virginia D. Lang is a veteran management consultant who has worked in the corporate sector and the nonprofit community as an adviser on all aspects of community affairs for almost 30 years. Ginny has served as an expert coach, trainer, facilitator and consultant to an impressive array of nonprofit organizations and is an accomplished speaker and teacher. Lang Consulting specializes in planning, training and development for nonprofit organizations and helps nonprofit professionals and board members develop their leadership skills in the areas of communication, fundraising, outreach, board/ staff development and volunteer management.
COST:
$10 Members
$15 Non-members
25% off additional team members. We encourage teams! Please use the "AddPerson" feature after the first person has entered their information. The discount will display at the end.
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Events & Training's
In addition to our services, we host a variety of events for nonprofit professionals. Whether you're looking to hone your presentation skills in a Mighty Mouth workshop or want to learn about search engine optimization (SEO) at a 501 Talks Tech training, we have professional development opportunities to fit your needs.
We also host the ED Forum in partnership with Global Washington. The ED Forum is designed to support peer networking and learning among nonprofit executives.
Subscribe to
our
blog to keep up-to-date on all the latest events and news at 501 Commons as well as useful tips and insights.
For more information on events and training's, click
here.
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Check out the AFP Advancement Northwest Job Board
The one central location for all job seekers and employers in advancement and development fields in the Pacific Northwest. The
AFP Advancement Northwest's job board login is different from your AFP Advancement Northwest website login. If you have any questions, please contact Your Membership at clientserv@yourmembership.com or by phone to 860-437-5700.
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Whatcom Literacy Council
Position: ELL (English Language Learner) Coordinator Job Description
Description: Hours: 20-25 hrs/wk, 10 months September- June. Some evenings or weekends required. 10 hrs/wk July/August.
Rate: $15-17/hr DOE.
The ELL Coordinator will be a team player in a small nonprofit that works with adults who want to improve their literacy skills. This person will coordinate the one-to-one tutoring program for adults who are learning English. Responsibilities include training volunteer tutors, assessing learners' skill levels and learning styles, developing learning plans, and providing ongoing support to volunteers. Preferred skills include a Masters degree in TESOL, Adult Basic Education or related field, bilingual in Spanish, nonprofit experience, a strong interest in basic academic skills and adult education issues and challenges, and a desire to keep up with current topics and advocacy issues.
How to Apply: Submit a cover letter and resume to director@whatcomliteracy.org, with the subject line titled "ELL Coordinator." Applications taken until filled. See our website www.whatcomliteracy.org for more information. EOE.
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The American Diabetes Association
Position: Area Executive Director
Description: ADA's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by this disease. They lead the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fight for those affected, funding research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes and deliver services to hundreds of communities. They have retained us to fill the following position for them, based out of their Denver regional office.
Area Executive Director
- Reporting to the Regional Vice President, the Area Executive Director serves as the Area leader for Washington and Northern Idaho and provides overall management, planning, execution and leadership for all aspects of the organization including effective programs/services, diversified revenue and fundraising portfolio, donor stewardship, board/staff development and finance and budget management.
The Area Executive Director is responsible for positioning the Association as a leader in diabetes prevention and management in his/her respective community and establishes effective partnerships and collaborations with corporations, foundations, community/corporate leaders, government officials, other communityorganizations/nonprofits, and supporters. This position will be based out of ADA's Seattle office.
You may review a detailed profile of this opportunity by clicking on this link to our website -HERE or, if you prefer, email me and I will send you a Word attachment of the profile. ADA offers an excellent compensation & benefits packages.
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Whatcom Nonprofit Network
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A program of
WNN monthly E-newsletter Sponsored by
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