Smarter Impact Starts Here

Navigating the Conundrum of Auxiliaries

Navigating the Conundrum of Auxiliaries

They go by many different names – volunteer councils, auxiliaries, “friends” groups, and more – but regardless of their varied titles, such groups share a great deal. Designed to assist and support an organization (and most commonly hospitals, museums, libraries, and...

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Rethinking Recruitment and Retention Goals

Rethinking Recruitment and Retention Goals

For decades, volunteer engagement was summed up in 3 Rs: “Recruitment, Retention, and Recognition.” As the field of volunteer engagement changes and advances, these three practices are evolving and being redefined as well. Recruitment Traditionally, recruitment...

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Performance Improvement Plans: When, Why, How

Performance Improvement Plans: When, Why, How

As we were reviewing the agenda for a scheduled coaching call last week, a client shared a recent event in which a volunteer spoke rudely and inappropriately to a client. The volunteer’s behavior was counter to the expectations shared in training, not to mention the...

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New eToolkit: Engaging Virtual Volunteers

New eToolkit: Engaging Virtual Volunteers

Volunteers have served virtually for decades, but now, the need for engaging volunteers to serve remotely is greater than ever, and the technology to support such engagement is more accessible and accepted than ever. Regulations and concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic...

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When is the 3 o’clock Parade?

When is the 3 o’clock Parade?

With the 2022 Points of Light Conference on Volunteering and Service confirmed as a hybrid event -- with the onsite location confirmed at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort -- I can't help but think of this blog we shared back in 2016. Enjoy this encore publication of...

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Building on Skills-Based Success

Building on Skills-Based Success

Like many nonprofit supporting organizations, the NH Center for Nonprofits organizes the state’s nonprofit “Gives” day, helping to raise and distribute funds to support New Hampshire’s nonprofits. Deborah Clark, who manages the NH Gives Day, received a call in spring...

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Open vs. Welcoming Volunteer Engagement

Open vs. Welcoming Volunteer Engagement

Nice leaders water down direct and constructive feedback wanting to be nice and to be liked…. Kind leaders deliver difficult information in a kind way. They treat others as they would want to be treated: fair, balanced, emotionally aware, but they also don’t let staff...

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Loss and Grief in Volunteer Engagement

Loss and Grief in Volunteer Engagement

In the last two weeks alone, six different people said to me, “I am still grieving,” “I am mourning,” or “I am still dealing with feelings of loss.” Nearly all these comments were made in different conversations. It was notable after the second occurrence, but by the sixth, it was un-ignorable.

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Family Volunteering – All Together Now!

Family Volunteering – All Together Now!

November 20, 2021 is Family Volunteer Day – a global day of service that celebrates the power of families who work together to support their communities and neighborhoods. For generations, parents and their children have responded to the needs of neighbors,...

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The Power of Pretzels

The Power of Pretzels

Sometime after two hours on the tarmac last Saturday, the flight attendants kindly walked up and down the aisle offering a little snack bag containing a mini bottle of water, a small pack of cookies, and, of course, pretzels. Clearly these were meant to be distributed...

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