1.5-Minute Video: My Pro-Tip on Volunteer Gifting

Hop into the way-back machine with me... It's February 2018 and the staff partner teams I'm supporting are prepping for National Volunteer Week...

I was bombarded with requests for branded keychains, water bottles, and pins. I coached my colleagues on meaningful volunteer recognition and reminded them of the branded products we saw in trash cans after last year's appreciation parties.

My colleague Donna didn't send in a request. What she did instead was brilliant.

Free Webinars on Navigating Nonprofit Chaos

My consultant friend Jennifer Caddick is hosting a FREE webinar series on Communications Strategies for Uncertain Times. The series goes into April and will explore storytelling, resilient communications, community building, and organizational agility.

In Case You Missed It: I made two podcast appearances in January 🎉

If you're a Leader of Volunteers, you'll love my convo with Swim Karim on The Nonprofit Insider Podcast. He point-blank asked if our profession is underappreciated, and I responded with a resounding "YES". I also share my #NonprofitHorrorStory... which involves colleagues snacking on catering for a volunteer appreciation party before it starts (but not making time to chat with volunteers or attend the party). Sound familiar?

If you're an Executive Director or Fundraiser, check out my convo with Mallory Erickson on the WHAT THE FUNDRAISING Podcast. I drop a few hot takes like: "Volunteer engagement is not a make-work project. You don’t just create volunteer roles and experiences to give people something to do in the hopes that they will raise money with you.”

Like the podcasts? Hit reply and let me know what resonated with you!

Where You'll Find Me

Feb. 27: Participating in Volunteer Fairfax’s Volunteer Management Book Club to discuss “I Said What I Said, an anthology of Black Women in Nonprofit.” It's a FREE event and Severina Ware, CVA (one of the book's authors) will be there!

June 3-6: Attending the Points of Light Conference in New Orleans and presenting a session on "Reimagining Volunteer Redirection for Sustainable Community Impact". It will be my first time at Points of Light. If you'll be there too, please message me so we can connect in person!

Recorded online (no signup or login required): Sharing "Uncomfortable Truths to Understand When Self-Advocating". Kudos to Get Connected volunteer technology for hosting and making the recording accessible.

Thanks for reading,

Jessica

p.s. Stuck on a volunteer-related obstacle? Book a 1:1 coaching session with me.