[Photo: Angela Begin - Second from left, stands presenting with other OCH Leadership.]I have often wondered – “How many people found themselves in Volunteer Management who never saw this as their destination as they set out on their path?”
As a brand-new social work graduate, I landed a job at Big Brothers Big Sisters. For years I identified as a “Case Manager” and saw my primary role as supporting the families and children registered in the program. But every Little Sister or Brother that we had in our program, required a Big Sister or Big Brother so that we could make a match. For years I worked with the “Bigs”, screening and assessing, monitoring matches, and providing support and resources, not realizing all of the skills I was building in working with volunteers. My journey had begun before I had even known it.
One day out of the blue, a Big Sister sent me a job posting for a Volunteer Coordinator role with Ottawa Community Housing (OCH). It was an incredible, but very daunting opportunity to build their corporate and community volunteer program. In the interview the position was described as “embryonic”. I was hooked and had to have the chance to be involved in this exciting project.
During my first year I realized that while surrounded by hundreds of team members, I was the only one who was leading volunteer management for our organization. I was looked to as the subject matter expert and had some big decisions to make about what this new program would look like. Like many leaders of volunteers I discovered how BIG this job could be. What did I need to take into consideration in order to be successful? What resources were available to support my journey? Who could I talk to for guidance?
It wasn’t long before someone pointed me in the direction of OLV, which was known as OAVR at that time. My very first meeting was a lunch and learn at the McNabb centre. During the meeting, I met other Managers of Volunteers who were so kind and welcoming. Many of the board members were in attendance and took the time to come up and say hello. I was so grateful for their welcome. It was impactful and energizing to be able to network with a group who understand the nuances of the world I was navigating. I learned about the many other volunteer programs in Ottawa, some of the challenges and successes, and felt a lot of kindness and support.
Now that I was on the mailing list, I was eagerly looking for opportunities to connect to this wonderful community. In November, we all met at the Lieutenants Pump for the International Volunteer Manager’s Day, there was another learning session at the Jim Durell Arena. I received a few emailed newsletters which updates and information. One day I noticed a call out for board members and remember thinking that was something I would like to do one day. It never occurred to me that day may happen so quickly.
A board member was leaving on a maternity leave, and they were searching for a temporary replacement. So as an eager new member of OLV as soon as I saw a call out for board members, I figured I’d throw my name into the hat… A few weeks later we sat at the Annual General Meeting at The Good Companions Centre and I was voted onto the Board of Directors.
Acting as a working board member in this volunteer role my task was to produce the newsletter each quarter. I remember I would create it in the old Microsoft Publisher program that we used to use.
Despite how ancient that tech seems now, I learned so much! Part of my role was to report on current business, along the way I’d spent time looking for interesting Volunteer Management related articles to share. Having a seat at the board meetings taught me so much, but also created opportunities to build a deeper relationship with my peers who were many of the leaders in our sector. I learned about advocacy, strategic thinking, and sector challenges, but more important, I grew as an individual, building more confidence and perspective that I could use for some of these tough decisions that I needed to make as I built my program.
I was pleased to be offered a permanent role on the board and then was eventually promoted to Vice-Chair, my journey continued. During this time, I was introduced to PAVRO and joined as a member for a broader, province wide, exposure to Volunteer Management. What really excited me about my PAVRO membership is that they hosted an annual conference each year with a multi-day schedule of sessions on Volunteer Management. My very first PAVRO conference was held at the YMCA camp in Orillia. It was such a unique opportunity to spend time in nature, while learning about all kinds of hot topics in Volunteer Management. In our downtime, we sat around the campfire in the evening, sharing stories and building bonds. What a special time away and I returned so energized!
The volunteer program at OCH really benefited from these experiences. I felt more confident in my decision making and the corporate volunteer program grew, engaging 1200 volunteers annually who were beautifying the social housing communities through painting projects, planting trees, building garden beds, and so much more. One example is we would bring out 100 volunteers who would paint a high rise building in one day, saving the corporation tens of thousands of dollars that could be invested into more critical areas. At the same time, I was growing a youth volunteer program that engaged high school students collecting their volunteer hours, college and university placement students, and community volunteers, into important roles within the corporation that were providing thousands of hours each year in support.
With more experience under my belt, I moved into the Chair role with OLV and joined PAVRO as the Director of Membership. Although I remember feeling daunted that I might be taking on more than I was ready for. While I didn’t go into these roles with oodles of the lived experience under my belt, what I did have was a commitment to learning and the support from my fellow board members.
As I learned more about the Certificate of Volunteer Administration (CVA), I began to understand how valuable this credential would be for me. Not only because it’s so well respected (although that certainly was on the pro’s list), but also because the process of going through the certification would allow me to learn more of the theory behind volunteer management. To prepare I joined a group of Ottawa Managers of Volunteer’s and formed a study group tackling one chapter of the study manual at a time.
Over the winter we made learning fun and found so many ways to work together. Each of us would deep dive into one section and then summarize our takeaways to the rest of the group. Learning from so many different perspectives really helped to solidify the information and I was thrilled when I passed my CVA exam.
One year I attended the PAVRO conference which was hosted jointly by VMPC. We were now meeting with Managers of Volunteers from all across the country! Because of the intimacy that the conference has, there were opportunities for our provincial board to collaborate with the national board. I made new friendships and discovered that most of the board members had gained experience through their local and provincial boards as well. Later on, I was invited to join the board in the Treasurer role.
Looking back I noticed that over the years our OLV meetings changed for me. It went from a meeting of colleagues, to a meeting of friends. We set goals and accomplished them. Some of us were promoted in our roles. Many of our programs grew. We celebrated the successes and commiserated on the challenges.
These days look very different for me. The pandemic really shook things up. During a time where it wasn’t safe to run volunteer events in the community, I was asked to temporarily fill the role of Executive Director of the OCH Foundation. More than three years later, I am still in this role and on a brand-new journey of learning the world of fundraising and philanthropy. Another profession that folks often stumble upon by accident.
I feel fortunate to have had so many opportunities to be engaged in the Volunteer Management community. It was part luck, part circumstance, and part ambition that led me there. All of these opportunities had one thing in common; they established my commitment to leadership in our sector.
I remain grateful everyday for the connections that I made and proud of the work that we did to advance the sector. I know this next chapter for OLV will be just as exciting.
By: Beth Steinhorn
Around the globe, volunteers help organizations achieve their mission. And yet, volunteer engagement is often complicated by widely held myths. As leaders of volunteers, you have the opportunity (and, perhaps the obligation) to correct these misconceptions so that you can more effectively harness the talent of the abundant resource you lead, namely volunteer talent!
Here are five common volunteer engagement myths we see in our work across North America and some tactics you can use to fully embrace your role as “Mythbuster.”
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Volunteering is a wonderful way to help others and make a positive impact on the world. But did you know that it can also benefit your mental health? In this post, we'll explore the many ways that volunteering can improve your well-being.
First and foremost, volunteering can give you a sense of purpose and fulfillment. When you help others, you feel good about yourself and your place in the world. This can help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can contribute to poor mental health.
Volunteering can also provide a sense of community and belonging. When you work with other volunteers, you become part of a team and a shared mission. This can help you feel connected to others and give you a sense of belonging that you might not have otherwise.
In addition, volunteering can be a great way to learn new skills and gain experience. This can be especially valuable if you're looking to make a career change or explore new interests. By volunteering in a related field, you can gain valuable experience and make connections that can help you achieve your goals.
Volunteering can also help you manage stress and anxiety. When you focus on helping others, you take the focus off of yourself and your own worries. This can be a welcome break from the stresses of everyday life and can help you feel more relaxed and at ease.
Finally, volunteering can be a great way to boost your self-confidence and self-esteem. When you see the positive impact that your work is having on others, you feel good about yourself and your abilities. This can be especially helpful if you struggle with low self-esteem or self-doubt.
In conclusion, volunteering can have many positive benefits for your mental health. It can give you a sense of purpose, community, and belonging, as well as help you manage stress and anxiety and boost your self-confidence. So why not consider volunteering today? You might just be surprised at how much it can enrich your life.
Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community, but did you know it can also help you develop new skills and advance your career? Whether you're looking to break into a new industry or simply gain some new experiences, volunteering can be a valuable tool for professional development. In this post, we'll explore how volunteering can help you acquire new skills and advance your career.
First and foremost, volunteering can provide you with hands-on experience in a particular field or industry. For example, if you're interested in marketing, volunteering with a local non-profit can give you the opportunity to work on marketing campaigns and gain real-world experience. This experience can be invaluable when it comes to applying for jobs or advancing your career.
Volunteering can also help you develop new skills that are transferable to other areas of your life. For example, if you volunteer as a tutor or mentor, you can develop communication and leadership skills that can be useful in any profession. Similarly, if you volunteer as a fundraiser, you can develop skills in sales and persuasion that can be useful in a variety of industries.
In addition, volunteering can provide you with networking opportunities that can be helpful in advancing your career. When you volunteer, you meet people from a variety of industries and backgrounds. These connections can be valuable when it comes to finding job opportunities or getting recommendations for future positions.
Volunteering can also be a way to demonstrate your commitment to a particular cause or industry. Employers value candidates who are passionate about their work, and volunteering can be a great way to show that you're dedicated to a particular field or cause. This can help set you apart from other candidates and make you a more attractive job candidate.
Finally, volunteering can be a way to gain exposure to new ideas and ways of thinking. When you volunteer, you're exposed to different perspectives and approaches to problem-solving. This can help you develop a more well-rounded understanding of a particular field or industry, which can be valuable when it comes to advancing your career.
In conclusion, volunteering can be a valuable tool for professional development. It can provide you with hands-on experience, help you develop new skills, provide networking opportunities, demonstrate your commitment to a cause, and expose you to new ideas and ways of thinking. So why not consider volunteering today? You might just be surprised at how much it can help you advance your career.
Volunteer teams are the backbone of many organizations, and leading them can be both rewarding and challenging. Whether you're a seasoned volunteer manager or new to the role, there are several tips you can follow to ensure the success of your volunteer team. In this post, we'll explore some of these tips and provide advice for leading successful volunteer teams.
1.Communicate Effectively
Communication is key to any successful team, and volunteer teams are no exception. Make sure you communicate regularly and clearly with your volunteers. Be transparent about goals and expectations, and make sure everyone is on the same page. Use a variety of communication methods, such as email, phone calls, and in-person meetings, to keep everyone informed.
2. Provide Training and Support
Volunteers come from all walks of life, and many may not have experience in the specific tasks they're being asked to perform. Make sure to provide training and support to your volunteers to help them feel confident in their roles. This can include hands-on training, written materials, and access to experienced volunteers or staff members.
3. Recognize and Appreciate Your Volunteers
Volunteers are giving their time and energy to support your organization, so make sure to recognize and appreciate their efforts. Take the time to thank them for their hard work and acknowledge their contributions. This can be as simple as a thank-you note or as elaborate as an awards ceremony.
4. Set Clear Expectations
Make sure your volunteers know what is expected of them. Be clear about the time commitment, the specific tasks they'll be asked to perform, and any rules or policies they need to follow. This can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals.
5. Foster a Sense of Community
Volunteers are often motivated by a sense of community and the desire to make a difference. Make sure to foster a positive and supportive community within your volunteer team. Encourage volunteers to get to know each other and work together towards common goals. This can help build camaraderie and a sense of purpose among your volunteers.
6. Evaluate and Learn from Your Experiences
Finally, make sure to evaluate your volunteer program regularly and learn from your experiences. Ask for feedback from your volunteers and use it to improve your program. Reflect on what worked well and what didn't, and make changes as needed.
In conclusion, leading a successful volunteer team requires effective communication, training and support, recognition and appreciation, clear expectations, a sense of community, and a willingness to learn and adapt. By following these tips, you can help ensure the success of your volunteer team and the continued growth and impact of your organization.