Volunteer programs need to adapt to changing trends and environments - or else be prepared to struggle with the recruitment and retention of volunteers. Volunteer programs should be dynamic and not static; they should focus on both the needs...
In your volunteer program, it is likely that you have a number of policies and procedures that ensure things run smoothly. Maybe you created the policies yourself, or they’ve been in place for years, or it’s someone else’s responsibility to...
When you are engaging with a potential volunteer, it is helpful to understand the basics of buying decisions, which includes the decision to accept and commit to a volunteer opportunity. Remember that decision-making is a process and this can take...
When I turned 18 I applied for a volunteer position at the Richmond Crisis Centre. This was quite out of character for me as I’d kept a low profile throughout high school and had never participated in any groups. The...
In 1994, the Government of Canada formally committed to address violence against women and children, releasing a report that called for, among other things, the development of guidelines and training programs for organizations within the voluntary sector. This recommendation was...
More than a thousand colour-coordinated volunteers came together to sing the theme song at the opening ceremonies of the 1988 Calgary Olympics, standing where they were told to stand. One of the volunteers said later, “We made a flag standing...
Janine had been out of the work force for a few years when she decided to ease back into work by volunteering for a local organization whose work she admired. She sent an email enquiry about volunteering. Weeks passed and...
How often has this happened to you - you interview a prospective volunteer, love their background, love what they offer, and love what they could bring to your movement, but you never hear from them beyond the initial interview? If...
The recent Global Volunteer Conference addressed the vital role of volunteers in an increasingly polarized and fragmented world, calling on all sectors to make volunteering a priority and to recognize the contribution of volunteers in making the world a better...
A new kind of volunteer is emerging. More today than ever before, people with high-level skills are offering their services to respected nonprofits. The “skilled volunteer” is someone who has specialized professional skills to offer, skills that do not fall...