InnoVate Blog

Individual Volunteer Plan (IVP) Gets Attention

Beth Steinhorn — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:46:42 -0400

In our ongoing effort to post case studies and news from the volunteer engagement field, we are pleased to share this blog we found posted by Michele Ober, Volunteer Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity / 7 Rivers Maine on the VolunteerMaine website and "From the Field" blog. Michele agreed to allow us to post her blog -- and to keep us posted on how utilizing the IVP (Individual Volunteer Plan) with volunteers works for her and her organization in the future! Thanks, Michele!

New Volunteer Engagement Resource from JFFixler

Beth Steinhorn — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:31:13 -0400

Earlier this summer, we launched our new name, "JFFixler Group" (and shared a bit about the importance of branding) - but our name isn't all that's new! JFFixler Group adds new resources and new services to our longstanding tradition of customized consulting, training, and publications. Our latest addition is our new book, Boomer Volunteer Engagement: Facilitator's Tool Kit by Jill Friedman Fixler and Beth Steinhorn, published in partnership with VolunteerMatch.

Hospital Volunteer Program brings Measurable Results

Jill Friedman Fixler — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:38:24 -0400

As I have noted before, one of the benefits of travelling the continent for conferences, consultations, and workshops is that I get to meet so many dedicated professionals, passionately engaging volunteers to help make the world a better place. Last year, I met Eileen Pelletier, who is Co-Director of Volunteer Services for Hartford Hospital in Hartford, CT. She and her colleagues shared a program in which they have engaged volunteers as active partners with hospital staff in preventing patient falls by visiting rooms, talking with patients, and ensuring that protocols have been followed. The program continues to be very successful with tangible results. Eileen and her two colleagues, Kelley Boothby, Co-Director of Volunteer Services, and Chris Waszynski, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, agreed to be interviewed so we could feature their organization in our ongoing series of case study in our blog. We believe this is a powerful and useful example because the program addressed a tangible and pressing need and did so while also providing volunteers with a valuable volunteer position. The results demonstrate how impactful a volunteer-staff collaboration can be. We think it will inspire you to think outside the box and find innovative ways to engage volunteers in solving real issues for your organization.

JFFixler Blogger Beth Steinhorn interviewed the team. Here are some highlights from their conversation.

What is Your Volunteer Brand?

Beth Steinhorn — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:25:06 -0400

Branding is all the rave in our consumer-based, emotionally-driven society. From cars to computers, clothing to food, everything in our society-- and in life for that matter-- has a ‘brand'. You have a brand. Your organization has a brand. So what is a brand and why is it so important in enhancing your volunteer program? In this post, we'll take a look at what branding is and how it can enhance your volunteer efforts ten-fold.

New Volunteering In America Study Released Opportunities Abound for Strategic Assessment and Discussion

Jill Friedman Fixler — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:43:34 -0400

This past week, the Corporation for National & Community Service released its “Volunteering In America” report and data, summarizing some of the top volunteerism trends for 2009. We, along with many, have been eagerly awaiting this report both to see if our observations in communities across the country bear out nationally and to set our strategic compasses for the coming year in order to leverage these trends for the benefit of our client organizations.

Leveraging the Millennial Generation

Beth Steinhorn — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:53:19 -0400

By Josh Fixler, JFFixler Associate

A few weeks ago, Beth Steinhorn wrote a post about the Millennial Generation. She asked me to respond to it, since I have a unique perspective on the subject. I am, after all, a Millennial. I was born in 1984, putting me on the front edge of that generational line and I strongly identify with the label.

7 Best Homepage Updates

Beth Steinhorn — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:00:15 -0400

Websites are the portal to your organization. It's where your current volunteers can go for the latest news and where your potential volunteers can become familiar with -- and ultimately, engaged with -- your organization. So, having a powerful and effective homepage on your site is crucial to making your first impression one that is a lasting impression. We asked our colleague Monique Cuvelier of Talance, Inc. to share some tips about strengthening your organization's homepage. And, of course, we believe you have volunteers in your midst with skills and interest to help you implement all of these recommendations!

Committing to Volunteer Engagement as a Business Strategy

Jill Friedman Fixler — Wed, 12 May 2010 16:24:59 -0400

What compels a large, successful non-profit to re-imagine the potential of volunteers to build organizational capacity? "The economy" may be an obvious answer, given the increasingly fierce competition for philanthropic dollars... But our recent time on the ground with one of our Canadian clients revealed motivation that predates the economic woes and commitment that we believe will position the organization to become, in their words, the "charity of choice" in their country.

Volunteer Ambassadors -- A Case Study

Jill Friedman Fixler — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:57:19 -0400

One of the benefits of travelling the continent for conferences, consultations, and workshops is that I get to meet so many dedicated professionals, passionately engaging volunteers to help make the world a better place. Just last month, I was at the National Council on Aging conference in Chicago and met Jenni Frumer, who is one of those dedicated and passionate professionals. Jenni is Associate Executive Director of the Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service in West Palm Beach, Florida and she is doing some impressive and innovative work with volunteers and older adults. She agreed to be interviewed so we could feature her organization as a case study in our blog. We believe the program will inspire you to utilize volunteers in similar grassroots, impactful programs – and to share your stories of your success on this blog, too. JFFixler Blogger Beth Steinhorn interviewed Jenni recently. Here are some highlights from their conversation.

Thoughts on Performance Measurement and Volunteer Leaders

Beth Steinhorn — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:10:55 -0400

Evaluation. Performance measurement. Outcomes-based assessment. These are all phrases we talk about frequently – and we repeatedly hear in conversations as we attend conferences, consult with clients, and confer with colleagues.Last week’s Chronicle of Philanthropy featured Patrick Corvington, the new head of the Corporation for National & Community Service, as he discussed his goals of shifting the Corporation toward a more outcomes-based culture. After reading that article and this blog, talk with your staff and volunteers about what it would mean to take this to the next level by cultivating volunteer leaders to help actualize those outcomes.