Celebrate National Volunteer Week By Nominating An Outstanding Volunteer!

The original blogpost of this article can be found at http://handsonnetwork.org/events/nvw2010. We don't usually re-post other blogs to our site, but we think this is a great opportunity. We're eager to see the recipients of these two awards.

National Volunteer Week - 2010
 

National Volunteer Week, Celebrating People in Action, is a time of celebration and inspiration as Points of Light Institute and HandsOn Network honor the thousands of individuals who take action year round to strengthen their communities. (Read more about the 2009 event on BCLC's site here.)

Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week has grown exponentially in scope each year, recognizing the incalculable contributions that volunteers make every day across the country and challenging all Americans to step forward to help wherever there is need.

This year will be no exception as Points of Light Institute and HandsOn Network will honor those who solve problems in their communities and secure national attention on the impact and power of volunteerism and service as an integral aspect of our civic landscape. Points of Light Institute will also recognize the one-year anniversary of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act and the creation of the Volunteer Generation Fund through a series of celebratory events.

National Volunteer Week takes place on the following dates:

• April 18 – 24, 2010
• April 17 – 23, 2011
• April 15 – 21, 2012
• April 21 – 27, 2013

You can nominate outstanding volunteers for one of these two awards:

• The Daily Point of Light Award honors those who are helping to meet critical needs in their communities and creating change every day. One Daily Point of Light Award winner is chosen every single day. Visit www.pointsoflight.org/recognition/dpol to learn more about the award and to make a nomination.
  
• The President's Volunteer Service Award honors volunteers during their service journey through acknowledgment of hours served resulting in positive community impact. This is a prestigious volunteer award and the only one associated with the White House. Visit the National & Community Service site to learn more about qualifications and to submit a nomination.

The Extra Mile is a monument in the heart of Washington, D.C. representing citizens who championed causes to help others realize a better America. During National Volunteer Week, Points of Light Institute will induct new service heroes into The Extra Mile and host a special luncheon ceremony in their honor. 2009 inductees included:

• Clifford Beers - Founder, Modern Health Movement
• Rachel Carson - Environmentalist
• John Muir - Conservationist
• Samuel Gompers - Founder, American Federation of Labor
• Robert Smith/William Wilson - Co-Founders, Alcoholics Anonymous

Visit www.extramile.us/ to learn more about The Extra Mile.

Points of Light Institute will shine a spotlight on recipients of these signature recognition programs during National Volunteer Week, recognizing them for their extraordinary service and inspiring others to embrace civic engagement at deeper levels.

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The Hands On Network has Action Centers are in more than 250 communities across the country and 11 international locations. They reach 83% of the population, facilitating more than 30,000 projects a month. The network includes more than 70,000 nonprofit, faith, education and community-based organizations.
Through the Hands On Action Centers, people are able to find volunteer projects and programs that align their passion with real needs in the local community.

Celebrate National Volunteer Week By Nominating An Outstanding Volunteer!

The Journey of the Volunteer: Tourist, Traveler & Guide: Part 1

Tourist – Traveler – Guide. This is the journey of the volunteer. The great failure of volunteer coordinators lies in expecting tourists to act like guides, treating guides like tourists, and ignoring the traveler all-together. Its time we meet people where they're at. Here's what you need to know to get started:

Stop treating everyone the same

When volunteers show up for the first time, we generally try to give them the same opportunities, attention, responsibilities and recognition as we do those who have been volunteering for years. Seems appropriate but....it's not. It's wrong. Here's why: people are not the same. We are all at different stages on the journey. Some of us are tourists, some travelers, others guides, and the rest? Well, they're somewhere in between.

Recognize the differences

The Tourist: Tourists are excited, enthusiastic and a little stumbly as they figure out what they're looking for. The space is new and the potential is endless. Tourists want to love their experience; but first impressions are paramount. If it doesn't meet their needs, they'll probably never come back. No problem. This is the group from which you will discover the best and most loyal of your volunteers. Do not expect long-term commitment from this group – they're not ready yet.

The Traveler: Travelers have been here before. They know where to go when they arrive and what they like doing best. At this stage, volunteers begin to invest in the cause. Because the space begins to feel like “theirs” they will ask hard questions and even begin to complain a little (which is a good sign that they're connecting emotionally.) Travelers want to be seen and heard. They want someone to confirm that they belong here. Discover them; give them space to continue to the next stage.

The Guide: Guides know they are home and will show the way for tourists and travelers. This group is as dependable as the Executive Director, and maybe even more committed. There are only a few of them, but they will lead your organization into the future. Do not treat these volunteers like first-timers; do not give them buttons and trinkets as thank you's. They own the space; treat them as such.

What you need...

As a Tourist: You require spaces of discovery where you are free to investigate. At this point, pressure and obligation will only hinder you, so long-term commitments aren’t really what you’re after. You’re at your best when compelled to ask better questions and go beyond what you’ve always known and believed.

As a Traveler: You need permission to feel some ownership, which in some cases will mean you're a little angry and a little confused. You know that committing to this organization is akin to committing to a relationship: If you never get past the infatuation stage to start getting angry, hurt and wounded, then you probably never cared much in the first place. When things don’t matter, things are easy. You are ready for substance and you hope that the organization can prove to you that they’re ready for your investment.

As a Guide: You need a space brimming with offers of high-level, contributing responsibility. You know they know you’ll take care of the ditch-digging every time, but they respect you too much for that. You need to be treated carefully because, like a long-term relationship, this kind of commitment is rare and fragile - not to be taken lightly.

Paying attention to people's differences is not as difficult as it may seem. Check back in next time for a few guidelines on what it looks like to work with Tourists, Travelers and Guides as they journey through the 3 stages of a volunteer.

Email Chris; chrisjarvis@realizedworth.com
Email Angela at angela@realizedworth.com

C: 1-317-840-8955
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The Journey of the Volunteer: Tourist, Traveler & Guide: Part 1

Watch Our Video Blogs About Corporate Volunteering On 3BL Media TV

If you haven't heard yet, we're joining the 3BL Media editorial team for the launch of 3BL TV (Triple Bottom Line TV).  This is a Web video channel scheduled to debut March 2010. 3BL Media are the experts in corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability and cause marketing communications. You can find some links on the right panel on this page.

We'll be looking for good ideas and topics for this video blog, so be sure to tweet, email, or comment your thoughts.



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Email Chris; chrisjarvis@realizedworth.com
Email Angela at angela@realizedworth.com

C: 1-317-840-8955
Join our Facebook Page
Follow Chris on Twitter @RealizedWorth
Follow Angela on Twitter @AngelaJeane
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Watch Our Video Blogs About Corporate Volunteering On 3BL Media TV

The 3 Stages In The Journey Of A Volunteer

Did the financial collapse have an effect on volunteering rates? You bet. Volunteer rates mushroomed during the winter of 2009. So where are all those volunteers now? Good question.

In the early days of the Obama craze (which, incidentally, seems to have waned only for Americans) there was a strong pull for increased volunteering efforts. Major media voices like Oprah and Starbucks joined the call and soon we, the people, began to respond. When the economy crashed and caused overwhelming job losses, we found ourselves wondering what to do with the extra hours on our hands. It was easy – even exciting - to jump on the volunteering bandwagon. Organizations such as the Taproot Foundation with Aaron Hurst, saw a 171% influx in the number of people coming through their doors, ready and willing to help. Many Non-Profits weren't quite sure what to do with the inbound droves of helping hands. It was a welcome problem. Better to have too much help than too little, right?

Now, looking back at 2009, we're just not quite sure what happened. According to studies such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Tiller's Social Action Survey, the overall increase in numbers of volunteers in 2009 was....well....marginal at best. There wasn’t much of a change at all. In fact, other research such as America’s Civic Health Index suggests that 2009 actually experienced a civic depression (72% say they cut back on volunteering last year). It's a disappointing thought – one which Realized Worth could not help but address. Why, after the influx, did volunteers not stick around? What's wrong with the volunteer experience?

Do you remember the first time?

Let's start with the beginning. How did you feel the first day you volunteered?

Here's how it usually goes:

You sign up to volunteer with an organization that does work you're into – animals or trees or people, something like that. You dive in with absolute abandon. You’re invigorated by the seemingly endless need for your personal contribution. Each day there is more work to be done, new milestones to achieve, greater good to give. You’ve put your best effort into the work, and you're happy to be doing something useful with your extra time. So far, so good.

6 months go by and....you hate to admit it, but these days you’re just not as enthused. Like the monotony that settles into some relationships after the honeymoon period, you wonder if the “glow” of this once new and exciting endeavor has worn off. Its just not connecting to who you are....you're constantly thinking of other places where your time would be better spent....you feel guilty when the non-profit's leaders ask you to commit more time, because at this point, you can hardly talk yourself into 1 hour a week. Another month or two and you decide the stress is no longer worth the effort and you just stop showing up. Maybe a more suitable opportunity will present itself down the road.

And there you have it. The influx and the downturn – the roller coaster ride of volunteering in 2009.

It's sad, really, and entirely unnecessary. The great failure of us as Non-Profits is in treating every volunteer the same. Novices and veterans are expected to contribute at the same level. This is just not realistic – it's not even helpful. Non-Profits must begin to pay attention to The Journey of the Volunteer.

The Journey of the Volunteer

Imagine you take a trip to Greece. It's your first time in the Mediterranean and you are invigorated! You strap on your money pouch, sling your camera around your neck, slather on the sunscreen, and set out for the tour bus. You ask questions too loudly, walk on the wrong side of the street, and happily hand over too much cash for your first gyro. And all the while, you're pretty sure you're blending right in to the culture. For everyone around you its unmistakable: You are a Tourist.

Now, go back to the Mediterranean a few times and you'll hardly even notice as you begin to acclimate. You'll know where to go, and where not to go. Your choice of wardrobe will become appropriate for the weather and terrain, your questions will only highlight your knowledge, your camera.....it will fit covertly in the pocket of your slacks. When tourists come to you asking questions, the metamorphosis will be clear: You are a Traveler.

And after years of these visits to not only Greece, but throughout the Balkan Peninsula, you have come to love the land as your own. You have a home in the heart of Athens, the language flows easily in conversation, you know the ins and outs of where to be and how to get there. As you begin to bring friends for summer visits, everyone knows its true: You are a Guide.

Tourist – Traveler – Guide. This is the journey of the volunteer. The great failure of the Non-Profit lies in expecting tourists to act like guides, treating guides like tourists, and ignoring the traveler all-together. Intrigued? Good. Watch for our next post, “Tourist, Traveler, Guide” on how to meet each volunteer at their highest level of contribution.

Email Chris; chrisjarvis@realizedworth.com
Email Angela at angela@realizedworth.com

C: 1-317-840-8955
Join our Facebook Page
Follow Chris on Twitter @RealizedWorth
Follow Angela on Twitter @AngelaJeane
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The 3 Stages In The Journey Of A Volunteer

Can You Prove Your Company's CSR Matters? Probably Not.

We measure what matters. When it comes to CSR strategies, why is there so little investment in measuring community impacts? 

Non-profits are required to produce, in many cases, exacting data and complicated measurements in order to qualify for foundation grants and public money. While these requirements can be a bit onerous, they’ve proven to be a helpful development within the world of philanthropy.

Many businesses, now actively investing in the health and wholeness of their communities, seem to be crying 'foul' as the same requirements are being asked of them. Bea Boccalandro, a member of the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship faculty and president of VeraWorks, has found that most companies are resistant to the idea of measuring the impact of their community programs. In her latest blog post Measurement is more than a good thing to do - it's the right thing, Bea finds that many companies respond with the following:

“We can’t measure whether our program truly makes a difference without cutting services,” corporate citizenship professionals often say, “so we just can’t afford to prove impact.” Faced with zero-sum funding decisions, we overwhelmingly choose more people served over more knowledge gained. We consider it heartless to favor an evaluation report over a child. Virtually every corporate citizenship program supports services. Precious few know whether such services make an impact."

But here’s the thing, non-profits almost always have fewer resources and capacities for measurement-related processes. While many of the businesses who posit this dichotomy of ‘doing good’ or ‘measuring good’ have tremendous resources and capacity for measurement.

To my way of thinking, it is a bit suspect to spend the appropriate amount of money on evaluating all areas of the business while relegating ‘doing good’ to the category of ‘good enough’. Bea sums it up well:

The cost-effectiveness of our decision is also suspect. Based on the body of impact evaluations done in the past five years, it appears no more than half of nonprofit services generate the purported change – be it reducing high school dropouts, improving mental health or reducing crime – to a meaningful degree. By eschewing impact evaluation, we tacitly accept that half of our social sector investments are unproductive and that it’s acceptable to remain in the dark as to which half. Forgoing impact evaluation in favor of delivering services is shortsighted. It’s a commitment to activity, not to change.

True Corporate Citizenship and CSR treats community engagement as an integral and necessary part of the overall business. Let’s take a moment and see if we’re doing as much good as we believe we are.

What do you think? Leave us a comment, we'd love to hear from you.


Read Bea Boccalandro's full article here: Measurement is more than a good thing to do - it's the right thing
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Bea Boccalandro is a member of the Boston College Center faculty and is president of VeraWorks, a global consulting firm that helps companies with their community involvement. She has helped Aetna, Bank of America, Levi Strauss & Company, The Walt Disney Company and others develop and enhance their community involvement through research, strategy design, program development and evaluation. She is the lead author behind the Drivers of Excellence for Employee Giving and Volunteering Programs and related Fortune 500 research. In addition to serving as faculty for the Boston College Center, she teaches cross-sector partnerships at Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership and consults and teaches for the Points of Light & Hands On Network and for the Council on Foundations. Contact Bea: bea@veraworks.com


Email Chris; chrisjarvis@realizedworth.com
Email Angela at angela@realizedworth.com

C: 1-317-567-2004
Join our Facebook Page
Follow Chris on Twitter @RealizedWorth
Follow Angela on Twitter @AngelaJeane
Check out Chris' LinkedIn Profile 

Can You Prove Your Company's CSR Matters? Probably Not.