cultivation

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!

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.

“Ownership” and “doing things the way we’ve always done them” were two of the few items listed when asked, “What might staff have to let go of in order to embrace a more fully collaborative culture of volunteer engagement?” What’s to gain by embracing such a model of volunteer engagement? The list was much, much longer. It was part of an honest, lively conversation between about 65 staff and volunteers at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) this week.