A blog for the people who manage, coordinate, and supervise volunteers. Chocked full of useful information to help you create amazing volunteer programs.
Posted By Kasandra James, Subscriptions Coordinator,
April 7, 2016
Updated: April 6, 2016
As Volunteer Toronto’s Subscriptions Coordinator, Kasandra James is the first point of contact for non-profits looking for support. She facilitates monthly Subscriber Circles - discussion groups for managers and coordinators of volunteers, contributes to our Sector Space newsletter and social media communications, and makes sure our subscriptions package continues to help non-profit organizations build capacity through volunteer involvement.
Posted By Rui Miguel Martins, Volunteer Guest Blogger,
February 29, 2016
Updated: February 26, 2016
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Toronto’s rapidly changing demographics present new opportunities and challenges for small organizations. Increasing diversity could help with networking and building relationships in your community, however, attracting people of diverse backgrounds is often difficult.
Jim Milligan is a certified LifeSkills coach and former volunteer manager. He spoke to a group of grassroots leaders about strategies for recruiting and retaining people of different backgrounds. It was the latest event in Volunteer Toronto’s Trailblazer Series, a set of leadership talks geared towards people who lead volunteer-run non-profits.
Here are the four things that organizations should consider when thinking about diversity and inclusion.
1. Frame of Reference
Are you open to thinking about your organization in new ways? What biases do you have? Everything we have experienced until this point in our lives has shaped our opinions and perceptions. Perspective is everything. Recognizing your frames of reference is critical when thinking about the recruitment and retention of volunteers.
2. Dimensions of Diversity
It is always important for an organization to have clearly-defined goals and a recruitment strategy in place. Begin by deciding what type of diversity you want to focus on. Diversity consists of many different dimensions including gender, sexual orientation, education, age, etc. Think about why your organization might be attractive to people of diverse audiences. How will your organization benefit? And how will the volunteer benefit from their involvement? Next, you need to decide how you are going to reach out to these groups. “Diversity is about how we are different and how those differences could enhance our relationships,” Milligan says. Diversity is a strength, not a barrier.
3. Cultural Competence
Non-profit leaders should be able to understand how our own cultural differences manifest themselves through beliefs, values, practices and through our biases. Having the professional skills to connect with each person and understand their world view is always important.
4. Deliberative Dialogue
Use dialogue that is intentional and collaborative. Listen to find meaning and understanding. This could mean admitting you are wrong or weighing the alternatives. The purpose should always be to find common ground. Your organization is about solving a problem and not about winning and losing. Oppositional or divisive language will just drive people away. “Good diversity always begins with you,” Milligan says.
Rui Miguel Martins is a communications specialist and social media strategist based in Toronto. He currently volunteers his time at Make A Change Canada, Yonge Street Mission, as well as at Volunteer Toronto.
Posted By Leila MacDonald, VECTor16 Presenter,
January 14, 2016
Updated: January 13, 2016
Lelia MacDonald presents “How to Recruit & Manage Professional Volunteers” at the 2016 VECTor Conference on March 9, 2016. Register now to choose her workshop, and check out some great tips below!
A skilled volunteer is a professional who offers specific expertise, for example in HR, strategy or marketing. Unlike volunteers who help with operations, skilled volunteers help management.
Why do you need a skilled volunteer?
· Expertise that fills a gap
· Short term (you don’t need to nurture them over time like an employee)
· Unbiased third party (they are not tied to the ways things used to be and they don’t have pet projects)
· Outside perspective (they are not caught up in the daily crises, so it’s easier for them to see the big picture)
6 Steps For Recruiting and Managing Skilled Volunteers
1. Recruit
Write a job description and post on:
·Online posting boards (such as Volunteer Toronto)
·Your own website, LinkedIn, Facebook, and through connections of your Board of Directors
You can pay a skilled volunteer in ways other than money. Perhaps they want to build their resume or learn a new industry. Perhaps they want to give back using the skills they learned in their career. Perhaps they want to see the difference they can make. Being open about their needs will help you trust them to stay motivated and give their project the attention it deserves.
3. Select
Interview them like you would a prospective employee. Check for good listening skills, easy-to-understand language, and a spirit of collaboration.
4. Manage
Mutually structure the relationship like a consultant. Draw up a proposal that defines the frequency of meetings and the topics to be investigated.
5. Orient your volunteer
Even if your volunteer is only around for one project, make sure they understand the mission and structure of your organization, and that they know how their work fits into the bigger picture of what you do.
6. Make it worthwhile
At the end, finish with a close form. This is how you “pay” your skilled volunteer. It gives them a sense of accomplishment and closure. It formalizes what they can put on their resume and what you will say as a reference.
Lelia MacDonald is a Volunteer Consultant with MAS, a charity that gives pro bono advice to Toronto nonprofits since 1993. MAS’s 50 Volunteer Consultants in governance, strategy, marketing, HR and fundraising are professionals who give back using the skills they learned in their careers.
In the lead-up to International Volunteer Managers Day on November 5th, we decided to help the novices in the field with a little advice from those who remember what it's like to be new at Volunteer Management.
Every Thursday until November 5th we'll be releasing a new episode!
Check out our second installment with advice from Natalia Dziubaniwsky, Supervisor, Volunteers & Communications at ESS Support Services
What advice would you give? Write your thoughts in the comments section below!
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As Volunteer Toronto’s Subscriptions Coordinator, Kasandra James is the first point of contact for non-profits looking for support. 
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