Case Study

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.

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.

We spend a lot of time touting the value of skilled volunteers – advocating the engagement of entrepreneurial volunteers who can take an idea from conception to implementation – and championing the capacity-building potential of high impact volunteer teams. And yet, this week I sat and marveled at a team with whom I’ve been working for the past ten months as we met to discuss how to transition a pilot project into an ongoing program offering at our local volunteer center, Metro Volunteers in Denver, CO.  The best part of the meeting? The point when this productive group was scheduling the next gathering and I was able to say, “Here’s my offer: I won’t come to that meeting.” In other words, congratulations – this program belongs to you and the most helpful thing I can do is get out of the way as you take it and run.