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Are you planning to thank your volunteers?

February 3, 2010 By Sandy 1 Comment

There are so many little things that get overlooked when we as Fundraisers get busy.  One of them is thanking volunteers.

I was coaching a busy Executive Director lately and she mentioned that she has a lot of people who are volunteering with her organiazation and doing sweet things.  I asked her if she had thanked them recently. “Thanked them? Uh, no.” 

So here’s the idea I gave her.  Go pick up a box of valentine’s and write a personal note on them, then mail them to your volunteers.  It’s simple, it’s affordable, it’s quick, and it works!  Most of the time, people just want to know you appreciate them. (This also works for some donors and other supporters.)

Brainstorm a couple of ideas throughout the year when you can do these little things to thank your volunteers.  Then get them on the calendar so you won’t forget.

Would you like more great little ideas like this?  Join me Thursday afternoon at 3 pm eastern for a free call.  Sign up and get all the details here: http://getfullyfunded.info/where-is-sandy/free-teleseminars.

Filed Under: Donor Acknowledgement, Fundraising Planning, Volunteers Tagged With: , ,

When the cat gets too big

December 15, 2009 By Sandy 3 Comments

I love days that I get to work in my office.  It gives me some quiet time to think and plan.  But today, my solitude ihas been interrupted.

Sadie is a rather large kitty and has decided that she wants to sit in my lap.  This is one of our older cats and she’s a big girl (16 pounds!).  Not only is she in my lap, but she’s purring to beat the band and insists on keeping her paw on top of my arm, making it difficult to type.  Why she isn’t upstairs pestering my daughter, I don’t know.

Now, you probably know I love my critters.  This one included.  I just don’t love her when she gets in my way. 

Which reminds me of a donor story I heard today.

My friend Lynn is an Executive Director of a good-sized organization and has a new facility manager she just hired.  He’s working out great and is followinfg her directions for keeping things clean and tidy.  There’s a long-time volunteer who also happens to be a major donor who has taken it upon himself to tell this young fellow everything he needs to know.  The only problem is that the volunteer/donor is giving the staff guy different instructions than what Lynn did.

So for Lynn, this volunteer/major donor is kind of like the cat in my lap – I love you, but don’t get in my way.  If the proverbial cat gets too big (if the volunteer/donor gets too caught up in being in charge) it can really cause problems.  Best to deal with it as soon as possible.

Lynn feels a bit caught between a rock and a hard spot. My suggestion is that she sit down with the volunteer/donor and go over the procedures for the facility and get his buy-in.  She should also let him know that she’s got the new guy well-oriented and is supporting him.  She should probably go one step further and ask the volunteer/donor to let her know if he sees things happening that he thinks needs to be addresed with the new guy.  And find a way to let the volunteer/donor know that it’s not his job to tell the new kid what to do.

This is a tough situation, trying to keep the volunteer/donor happy and engaged, but keep him out of staff business.

What would you do if it were you?  Click on the comment link and let me hear from you.

Meanwhile, I’ll see if I can convince Sadie to go find another lap!

Filed Under: Donor Relations, General Fundraising, Management, Volunteers Tagged With: , , ,

National Volunteer Week Coming Up

April 12, 2009 By Sandy Leave a Comment

National Volunteer Week is April 19-25, 2009.  How will you recognize your volunteers?  Here are a few suggestions.

Send your best volunteers a hand-written note card thanking them for their time throughout the past 12 months.  If you track their time, tell them how many hours they have contributed to your organization.

List your volunteers in your next newsletter and publicly thank them for their efforts.

Write a letter to the Editor of your local paper and thank your volunteers for their time.

Some organizations give volunteers little treats like pins or magnets.  You don’t have to spend money on trinkets to let folks know how much you appreciate them, especially this year.  Just be warm and sincere and it will do the trick.

Filed Under: Volunteers

Online resource for Volunteer Management

November 20, 2008 By Sandy Leave a Comment

Got questions about recruiting volunteers?  Check out Energize, Inc.

Peruse the online library. Read the wisdom of others working with volunteers. Sign up for their monthly newsletter.  There’s lots to see and learn.

www.energizeinc.com

Filed Under: Volunteers, Website/Internet Tagged With:
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