Advertise on podcast: Volunteer Plain Talk

In this second part of my conversation with Laura Rundell, we chat about: Inspirational volunteers who support people knowing they cannot change circumstances.Volunteer appreciation-do we need a luncheon or even a week? Where should our focus be?Evolving volunteer recognition.Team nomination vs. volunteer of the year.No one, including staff gets there on their own.Person of the year? What's the point?Volunteer voice of descent-why we should listen.Grumpy volunteers-just grumpy, or do they have something to teach us?When introducing change, get those grumpy volunteers on board first.Standing up for volunteers.Recognizing we are a profession.The nonprofit smoke alarm.Respect for volunteer program means respect for ourselves.Turnover due to poor culture.Dare we talk salary?Work/Life balance-yes, we must have one.Laura Rundell has been in the field of Volunteer Engagement for over 20 years, working at organizations of varied sizes and missions. She has worked at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA; LifeBridge Community Services in Bridgeport, CT, and currently works for the Friends Program in Concord, NH. She received her CVA in 2013, has led workshops on performance reviews for volunteers, and written guest blogs for 20 Hats and Volunteerplaintalk. She received her BA in political science from Earlham College and her MA in History from Northeastern University. You can find Laura at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-rundell-960a13b6/

Laura Rundell and I chatted last year about resilience in episode 15. In this episode, Laura and I get back together and chat about today's volunteering landscape. What has changed? What is the same? Laura discusses: Are volunteers returning?Change means an uptick in needsPaid staff are scarcePre-pandemic models vs. post pandemic modelsWhere does the program go moving forward?Navigating a shifting landscapeGetting volunteer buy-in upfrontMaking volunteer roles definableWhat is sustainable-can we do everything?Changing roles to fit today's realityChampioning a new normalRisk management and ethicsCommunication to prevent the volunteer churn Laura Rundell has been in the field of Volunteer Engagement for over 20 years, working at organizations of varied sizes and missions. She has worked at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA; LifeBridge Community Services in Bridgeport, CT, and currently works for the Friends Program in Concord, NH. She received her CVA in 2013, has led workshops on performance reviews for volunteers, and written guest blogs for 20 Hats and Volunteerplaintalk. She received her BA in political science from Earlham College and her MA in History from Northeastern University. You can find Laura at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-rundell-960a13b6/

In part 2, Paul Falkowski, PHD discusses his vision for designating volunteers as essential workers. He touches on: The workloads of nursing home activity directorsHow family members are pushing to be designated essentialThe toll isolation takes on nursing home residents and the surprising statistics Risk vs. gainTraining for essential volunteersVolunteer creativityQuirky interview questions that reveal characterIs reimbursement an answer?How creating individualized volunteer help can increase quality of lifeUniversal volunteer trainingThe need for volunteer managers to mobilizeTo connect with Paul and his efforts, please reach him at: Website: https://voluncheerleader.com/ Email: [email protected] Podcast: https://soundcloud.com/voluncheerleader Twitter: @paulfalkowski1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/voluncheerleader Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-p-falkowski-ph-d-2b15512/

In part 1, Paul discusses how he began his journey to designate volunteers as essential workers. Paul shares how he became a champion for volunteers in nursing homes through a nonprofit he built from the ground up. Paul discusses the importance of team, volunteer education and training, skin in the game, and navigating volunteer management challenges. In the next episode, he discusses his ambitious plan to designate volunteers as essential workers. Dr. Paul Falkowski is dedicated to serving the people who live and work in long-term care communities. Paul has a bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Music and a Master’s degree in Gerontology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and went on to earn a doctorate in Gerontology also from the University of Nebraska.  He was first attracted to the field of aging through his volunteering in nursing homes providing musical entertainment. In 1993, he formed a nonprofit that recruited and trained some 700 volunteers for Omaha and Lincoln nursing homes over 26 years. In 2003, he contacted the Department of Gerontology at the UNO and was encouraged to pursue a Gerontology graduate certificate.  Eighteen years later, he teaches online courses for the Department of Gerontology, conducting research and consulting with nursing homes. He recently developed the course “Volunteer Management and Aging Services” and is working on publishing a study in which he connects volunteerism in long-term care and the nursing home’s quality of care measures. Also, he authored “Creating the Volun-Cheer Force: Rethinking the way we use volunteers in nursing homes” and formed VolunCheerLeader LLC to provide support to nursing home managers of volunteers. His passion for volunteerism and improving the care of older adults is unwavering. VolunCheerLeader website: https://voluncheerleader.com/

Do we assume that engaging kids 9-12 is too much effort for the return on our investment? Are we missing an untapped volunteer potential? In this episode, Summer Neiss, student coordinator for the K Kids program at Mabel Rush Elementary school shares the passions, motivations, and untapped potential of youth volunteers. Summer discusses the upsides such as attracting the kids' parents or guardians, thinking out of the box and cultivating future volunteers.  Points she shares are: Kids are natural helpers from toddler on. Kids who volunteer are highly motivated. Just like adult volunteers, kids are sustained by impact. Kids are socially motivated. Today's kids are aware of the world. Kids have big ideas and love to brainstorm. Summer also shares her thoughts on bettering volunteer programs for kids such as: Where to find organizations to partner with. Why conversations about volunteer partnering are necessary. How kids' parents or guardians would get involved. How little things can make big impact. How community good will is involved.  For more information on K Kids visit: https://www.kiwaniskids.org/   

In this episode, Laura Rundell chats about resilience, a timely topic during the Covid pandemic:  Laura shares her experiences on these subjects: What exactly is resilience? The filled up cope-o-meter Examples of resilient volunteers What resilience is not Volunteer motivation Do we confuse volunteers not being resilient with not being heard? What does individual motivation have to do with resilience? What goes on in a volunteer's life may determine resilience How do leaders of volunteers advocate for themselves? Describe themselves? Drawing the line as a profession The ripple effect we may never see Advice for new leaders of volunteers   Laura Rundell has been in the field of Volunteer Engagement for over 20 years, working at organizations of varied sizes and missions. She has worked at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA; LifeBridge Community Services in Bridgeport, CT, and currently works for the Friends Program in Concord, NH. She received her CVA in 2013, has led workshops on performance reviews for volunteers, and written guest blogs for 20 Hats and Volunteerplaintalk. She received her BA in political science from Earlham College and her MA in History from Northeastern University. You can find Laura at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-rundell-960a13b6/

In this episode, January 2021, Brittany McGarry shares her thoughts and suggestions for: Where do we go from 2020? How are volunteer managers viewed? How to engage volunteers quickly. How forced opportunities can help us navigate the future. How a simple coffee hour changed everything. What volunteers really want. What volunteer retention is built upon. Why complicated does not mean better. How to use surveys to your advantage. Why we shouldn't provide quick volunteer assignments. How volunteer journey mapping takes patience. How elevating volunteers means letting go (in a good way). Brittany McGarry is a Volunteer Engagement Specialist with the National MS Society. With a background in Higher Education and her passion for volunteering, she stumbled into nonprofit work and found the perfect niche in this field. She serves as a Board Member with DOVIA Colorado and the Event Chair for the Colorado Conference on Volunteerism. She welcomes connections, brainstorming and opportunities and can be reached at [email protected]. 

In this episode, Elisa Kosarin, CVA shares her insights on: strategic planning and how fun fits inhow volunteer managers should aspire to move up into senior managementachieving buy-in and the seven kinds of powerthe future of virtual volunteeringhow volunteer managers are embracing and adapting traditional roles to virtualhow new looks at virtual roles may create more inclusion and diversityhow doing uncomfortable things makes you growwork/life balanceleadership, vision and creativitythe first step to achieving your visionAbout Elisa: Elisa Kosarin, CVA, helps nonprofits deliver fully on their missions by strengthening their volunteer programs. Her work is driven by the conviction that volunteers who are supported and valued have the potential to transform their communities. Elisa consults, coaches, and trains on volunteer management best practices.  She blogs regularly on her Twenty Hats website, exploring the skills and practices that leaders of volunteers seek to build confidence elevate their programs. Elisa's blog on strategic planning at CASA: 

In this episode, Corina Sadler shares her thoughts on volunteer managers' personal and professional development. Listen in as Corina talks about: Looking outside the box for training to skillsetDeveloping a professional storyUsing social media to recruit by not recruitingCreating your own contentWhy professional volunteer manager organizations are vitalSteps to creating a niche volunteer manager peer groupAbout Corina:  Corina Sadler, CVA, is Volunteer Resources Supervisor for the City of Plano, Texas “Volunteers in Plano” department and she has spent 15 years in local government. Corina and her team support staff in engaging 10,000 volunteers a year. In 2019 she received a national IMPACT Award from the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE) for displaying exemplary leadership in the field. She is a committee member of Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration, e-Volunteerism, AL!VE and the Texas Volunteer Management Conference. Ms. Sadler holds a Bachelor's Degree in Gerontology and Nonprofit Management along with certificates in nonprofit marketing and governance.     Interested in training with Corina? You can catch her September 29 with NOVAA and October 2 at the Colorado Conference on Volunteerism. Where will she be next? Connect with Corina on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinasadler/] or Instagram @CorinaInPlano to keep in touch. She hopes to see a bit of YOUR volunteer engagement story online.

In this episode, Samantha and Sydney talk about starting their own organization and share their insights on: making volunteering social through packing parties innovative ways to procure in-kind donationshow to use meaningful stats verses volunteer hoursusing social media effectivelythe importance of testimonialsutilizing networking using gamification to get the word outhow students’ view of volunteering has drastically changedhow students view leadership without “adults” in chargehow students view social responsibilitywhy creativity is critical to engaging students and the future of volunteeringPlease see Balance Boxes for more information and to donate: https://www.freetorunfoundation.org/balanceboxes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balanceboxesnp/ About Samantha and Sydney: Samantha Feinberg started Balance Boxes when she was a Sophomore at Deerfield High School (2020). She is very passionate about Balance Boxes and helping underserved children. Samantha explained that, “Sydney and I, developed this idea when the COVID-19 outbreak began. We were looking for a way to help youth in need and we had the time to brainstorm. We believed that Balance Boxes would benefit a plethora of children, both academically and socially.” Beyond Balance Boxes Samantha is involved in, Student Congress (Domestic Bills Research Captain), Human Rights Club, Model United Nations, Teens Stand Against Trafficking (Ambassador and Founder of IL chapter), The North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic Student Board (Founding Member and Event Chair), The Holocaust Teen Executive Committee-USHMM (Secretary), The IL Holocaust Memorial Museum Teen Board, Deerfield High School’s Israel Club, DECA, JUF's Voices, Learn2Be Mathematics Tutor, Deerfield High School Genocide Commemoration Planning Day Committee, and Voters of Tomorrow (Legislative Outreach Coordinator). Samantha stated, “I am so excited to see the direction Balance Boxes takes me and how it makes a difference in many lives.” Sydney Holubow started Balance Boxes when she was a Junior at Deerfield High School (2020). She decided to become a founder of Balance Boxes because she felt a strong passion for giving back to the community. and people around her. Sydney said, “I lived in Chicago when I was younger and the wage gap is very apparent. Samantha and I strongly believe in giving children equal opportunities and we feel that Balance Boxes is a great way to give underprivileged children a great start.” Sydney Holubow is very passionate about STEM and has been on the planning committee of GirlCon Chicago for two years. GirlCon is a one-day tech conference created FOR high school girls in tech BY high school girls. Sydney is also am an advocate feminist. She started a local chapter of Girl Up at her school, uniting girls to change the world. Additionally, she does many other clubs at her school. Sydney is super excited to put her energy into Balance Boxes

Listen in as Dr. Corinne Devin, Navy officer, accomplished leader and passionate volunteer speaks about her experience volunteering overseas and gives timely tips for elevating volunteer manager leadership. In this episode, Corinne chats about: ·       The challenge in stepping outside our comfort zones·       How volunteers can help other volunteers with real time advice·       How volunteer mentors help the organization·       Why listening to criticism is important·       Why shifting communication styles depends on your audience·       What to focus on when you can’t control circumstances·       How options work when having difficult conversations·       How to speak up the chain of command and advocate·       The need for strength in numbers·       Discovering new outreach avenues through a volunteer’s interests and passionsCorinne is an doctor, an officer, and a beauty queen. Specifically an orthodontist, Commander, and 2020 International Ms.  Corinne says, "My father, also a dentist, inspired my love of service and teeth, and I followed his footsteps becoming a Navy officer- a heritage that goes back to the Revolutionary War and earned me a Daughters of the American Revolution college scholarship.  While I continue my service as a Navy orthodontist based off-base, I have a passion for working with civilian kids and their moms. Whenever I can, I moonlight in private practices, using my strengths as a compassionate communicator (with a confidently feminine charm) to help improve the self-esteem of my patients, one orthodontic procedure at a time.  I have lived in and visited over 50 countries in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, including my deployment with the United States Navy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to Al Asad, Iraq where I took care of the smiles of over 25,000 active duty, contractors and Iraqi security forces. After practicing for three years as a general dentist, I was selected to attend the elite Tri-Service Orthodontics Residency Program at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.  While in residency I competed and won the title Ms. Texas, then after graduating won Ms. United States 2012, and internationally won Ms. Galaxy 2014, Ms Earth 2018, and International Ms. 2020.  The titles allowed me the opportunity get involved with local communities, speaking at events including elementary schools where I mentored young girls and showed them that they can be and do anything- from beauty queen to Navy officer to orthodontist. I continued to balance my two passions, serving as the keynote speaker at the STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) Conference to over 1,000 middle school girls for the Department of Defense in Japan." Thank you Corinne, for sharing your experiences, both as a volunteer and as an accomplished leader. If you wish to get in touch with Corinne, her contact information is:  Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/drcorinnedevin/ Instagram: @drcorinnedevin Youtube: Dr. Corinne Devin Linkedin: Corinne Devin Email: [email protected]   The organizations (for volunteering overseas) Corinne mentioned are: Smart Traveler Enrollment Program: https://step.state.gov/step/ Cross-Cultural Solutions: https://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/    

Jaylen Christie, the Director of Public Relations for Moxē, an integrated marketing agency in Orlando and former volunteer manager, chats about:  volunteer contingency plans volunteer impact volunteer ROI showing impact to volunteers who don't work directly with clientsfamilies and groups that volunteer togetherPR for volunteer managersstrategies for PR (R.P.I.E.)bland volunteer recruitment adscompetitionintegrated convergenceleadershipJaylen serves on several local boards including the Orange County Friends of the Library board, the United Negro College Fund and the Public Relations Society of America. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men and known for giving back to the community. You can follow Jaylen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesuperflynerd/?hl=en or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaylen.christie