Energize - Leveraging the Power of Volunteers

05/22/2023

📢 Just released! "Activating the Power of Strategic Volunteer Engagement for a Better World: A Conversation Starter for Funders and Nonprofit Leaders."

This new guide from the Initiative for Strategic Volunteer Engagement (co-directed by Energize's Betsy McFarland) provides actionable tools and resources tailored for funders and nonprofit leaders to invest in strategic volunteer engagement and help move missions forward.

Download the new resource today to amplify strategic volunteer engagement as a win-win-win strategy that directly benefits nonprofits, volunteers, and funders:
https://strategicvolunteerengagement.org/resources/

04/20/2023

Calling all Volunteer Engagement Professionals! Please respond by this Sunday, April 24th!

We invite you to contribute your input about the volunteer engagement profession, sponsored by the AAssociation of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement(AL!VE), the national association for the volunteer engagement profession. Part of AL!VE’s mission is to advocate for our field, and there is a lack of data that speaks to the career pathways for a volunteer engagement professional, causing many professionals to leave the field in search of other advancement opportunities. AL!VE seeks to create a Career Pathways report that demonstrates the various job levels within our field and the competencies and skills for each level, giving practitioners and employers a roadmap of progression.

AL!VE also intends to use this data as validated evidence for the job of the volunteer engagement professional to be officially recognized by the Department of Labor (DOL) in the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

AL!VE’s Volunteer Engagement Professional Career Pathways Survey is a national survey that is designed to reveal the career progression for volunteer engagement professionals, prevailing levels of total compensation, as well as the benefits associated with work-life balance practices within our field. The survey and results are administered by Creative Management Solutions, Inc. (CMS), a management consulting firm.

The results will be published into a report that can be used as advocacy both individually and organizationally and for the profession as a whole. Respondents have the option to provide their email afterwards if they would like to receive the final report.

To participate, take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y3ZTKBH

Please complete the survey no later than Sunday, April 23rd, 2023. Thank you for your participation, and we look forward to what the results can bring towards advocacy for our field!

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

01/27/2023

Energize's Betsy McFarland is one of the moderators for this exciting event. Please join us on Tuesday, February 7, 2-3 PM ET / 11 AM-12PM PT for a free webinar to celebrate the launch of the Initiative for Strategic Volunteer Engagement with an interactive discussion for nonprofits and funders on the future of volunteerism. The webinar will feature key findings from groundbreaking national research on strategic volunteer engagement and provide practical tips and recommendations for funders to advocate for strategic volunteerism. Register today: https://us06web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_BSDlXFBfSwOVRLVtKePNsg

Join us on Tuesday, February 7, 2-3 PM ET / 11 AM-12PM PT for a free webinar to celebrate the launch of the Initiative for Strategic Volunteer Engagement with an interactive discussion for nonprofits and funders on the future of volunteerism. The webinar will feature key findings from groundbreaking national research on strategic volunteer engagement and provide practical tips and recommendations for funders to advocate for strategic volunteerism. Register today➡️ : https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BSDlXFBfSwOVRLVtKePNsg

Featured Speakers:
Dr. Nathan Dietz, Senior Researcher, Do Good Institute, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland,
Dr. Sue Carter Kahl, President, Sue Carter Kahl Consulting
Rina Cohen, Senior Planning Executive, Caring & Special Projects, UJA-Federation of New York

Moderators:
Jeff Goblecki, Co-Director of the Initiative for Strategic for Volunteer Engagement
Betsy McFarland, Co-Director of the Initiative for Strategic for Volunteer Engagement

11/02/2022

Check out this great article about diversifying volunteer efforts.

Experts say organizations will struggle to recruit volunteers of color if their staffs aren’t diverse. They also advise groups to look at how and when they offer opportunities to volunteer. Plus see

09/13/2022

Have you read this groundbreaking feature article from The Chronicle of Philanthropy on the critical role of volunteers and why foundations and nonprofits should invest in volunteer engagement? Take advantage of this timely article to drive a conversation in your own organization – Share it with your leadership team and explore additional ways volunteers can strategically help you meet your mission.

The Energize team applauds each of the amazing volunteer engagement professionals featured in this article, including: Kaira Esgate, Michelle Raymer, Rina Kattan Cohen, Nicole R Smith, CVA, Jennifer Bennett, CVA, Beth Steinhorn, and our own Betsy McFarland, CVA.

Some volunteer programs lapsed during the pandemic; others adapted and thrived. Both cases illustrate how valuable volunteers can be. Plus, see everything from our new issue, posted today.

09/06/2022

The day after Labor Day always feels like a fresh, new beginning. We are hearkened back to the familiar feelings of childhood and the smell of crayons and library books, the chance to learn and experiment, and an opportunity to do good work.

It’s as if our creativity awakens and flows through newly sharpened pencils. May your entry to the season be filled with possibilities!

08/16/2022

With summer winding down and back to school upon us, many organizations are eager to ramp up volunteer recruitment. It’s important to remember that successful volunteer recruitment is TARGETED! General calls for volunteers are not nearly as effective as recruiting for a specific role by targeting prospective volunteers who bring the skills and qualifications a particular role requires.

Adisa

08/09/2022

Today is National Book Lovers Day!

If you haven't yet read Susan J. Ellis' timeless book, "From the Top Down," you're missing out. Written for the executive director and the volunteer engagement leader, this book explains fundamental subjects that must be considered for successfully involving volunteers in your organization's mission.

Get your copy today in the Energize bookstore: https://www.energizeinc.com/store/top_down

07/27/2022

Imagine your organization had an unlimited budget, would you still involve volunteers in some way and, if so, why? Tell us in the chat!

Adisa

06/28/2022

As we move out of the pandemic, it’s a great opportunity to re-evaluate the roles volunteers play in our organizations. Ask these questions to help identify mission-critical volunteer roles:

1. Where do we have the greatest difficulty in delivering effective services or programs?

2. What are the biggest unmet needs of the clients we serve, our community, etc.?

3. Where would we like to expand our programs? What new populations do we want to reach?

4. How could we benefit from new skills and expertise?

04/18/2022

Did you know that 81% of volunteers surveyed say what keeps them engaged is understanding the *IMPACT* of their volunteer service?

As you celebrate your volunteers during National Volunteer Week this week, go beyond simply recognizing hours/years of service. Celebrate the *DIFFERENCE* volunteers are making and how they are contributing directly to the mission and goals of the organization.

04/17/2022

Happy National Volunteer Appreciation Week!

U.S. President Joe Biden issued a proclamation in support of National Volunteer Appreciate Week 2022.

Over the past year, we have seen that the American spirit of service is alive and well.  Every day, Americans are giving their love and labor to care