Professional Development & Resources
By Jennifer Teeler on May 14, 2013
- Marce Mendez Campos / Flowers Photos / CC BY-NC-ND
My daughter, Abigail, and I like to go out to coffee together. Last week, we wanted to try a new coffee shop called Bedlam. I went online to get directions and one of the roads leading to the shop was not named on the map. When I minimized the window on my computer, the tab read “Unknown Road to Bedlam.”
That statement really hit me and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. It’s a good illustration of the need for leaders to be effective communicators. Here’s why:
In order to reach a goal, we need to know where that goal is and how to get there. Essentially, we need a map. As a leader of volunteers, it’s my job to provide that map to others in a way that they can understand – the roads must be named. And in a way that inspires them to join me on this journey. In fact, in their book The Leadership Challenge, Kouzes and Posner define leadership this way: “the art of mobilizing others to want to struggle for shared aspirations.”
Communicating in a way that inspires is essential for leaders. In one short session at the upcoming VAN conference in June, I can’t teach you all of the principles and nuances of leadership communications. But I can give you some of the basics and a few tips and tricks to set you on the right path. And hopefully that path is not the Unknown Road to Bedlam.
Leadership Communications is just one of the helpful workshops and classes that will be offered at the VAN conference on June 25th. To attend the conference, register here. Hurry, because early bird registration ends tomorrow!
Posted in conference info, Monthly Newsletters, Professional Development & Resources, Uncategorized, VAN NEWS |
Other Recent Posts
By WendiLee MacLeod on May 7, 2013
I’m experiencing some test anxiety along with my children this year. While they are agonizing over the state standardized tests, I’m preparing to take my exam for the Certification in Volunteer Administration (CVA) in just a couple of weeks! This year I set out on the journey to earn my credentials in volunteer management. The [...]
Posted in Professional Development & Resources, Uncategorized |
By Nikki Russell, CVA on May 7, 2013
I confess…I loved to watch Extreme Makeover- Home Edition. I loved the images and stories of homes and families transformed. I always felt moved and inspired. Though I haven’t watched the show for a while, there are a few lessons I picked up from the show that continue resonate with me, and, strange as it may [...]
Posted in Monthly Newsletters, Professional Development & Resources |
By Kathleen Maki on May 6, 2013
Celebrating Innovation and Agility is the theme for the Washington State Nonprofit Conference, being held on May 17, 2013 at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. Details about the conference and registration can be found here: WaStateNonprofitConference.org Andrew Zolli, Executive Director and Curator of Pop Tech is the keynote speaker. He will speak of many ideas found [...]
Posted in Professional Development & Resources |
By Nikki Russell, CVA on April 29, 2013
Early bird Special! Register by May 15th for the VAN Annual Conference and save. Early Bird registration is $75. After May 15th the registration fee is $80. The price includes VAN Membership for the year, breakfast and lunch, plus all workshops. We hope you’ll join us on June 25th, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm! We got [...]
Posted in Conference, conference info, Monthly Newsletters, Professional Development & Resources |
By Nikki Russell, CVA on April 29, 2013
Imagine you are reporting to your Board on the value of you volunteer engagement efforts. What do you include in your report? Do you highlight the number of volunteers engaged? Or the total number of hours volunteered? These numbers can be a useful measure if you are wanting to measure the effectiveness of your recruitment efforts. You can [...]
Posted in Monthly Newsletters, Professional Development & Resources |
By Nikki Russell, CVA on April 23, 2013
Here are some professional development opportunities coming our way: Interested in measuring the results of you volunteer efforts? Consider participating in United Way of King County’s Advanced Volunteer Resources Management workshop: What Are Volunteers Worth? Measuring the Impact of Volunteer Efforts This is a 4 Hour Workshop- May 14th, 2013 9:00am-1:00pm “Volunteers are our most [...]
Posted in Membership, Professional Development & Resources |
By Nikki Russell, CVA on April 23, 2013
Join us at VAN Northwest’s Annual Conference on June 25th, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm! We got some fantastic workshops lined up for the 2013 Conference! This is a conference you don’t want to miss! So join us for a day of inspiration and renewal. Take the next step in your professional development as leaders of volunteer engagement [...]
Posted in Conference, conference info, Monthly Newsletters, Professional Development & Resources |
By Nikki Russell, CVA on March 26, 2013
“The times, they are a changing…” Indeed they are, and volunteer involvement efforts, including the opportunities we create are changing too (well at least they should be). As volunteer managers, we are painfully aware that involving volunteers today is not as simple as it used to be. Yep, many of us have surpassed the volunteer [...]
Posted in Professional Development & Resources |
By Nikki Russell, CVA on March 19, 2013
Are you fairly new to volunteer resources management? Or maybe you’ve been at it for a while and would benefit from a “back to basics” refresher. Here are some upcoming opportunities to enhance your practice: Consider attending United Way of King County’s Effective Volunteer Resources Management 101 Workshop, April 2nd and 16th 9:00am-4:30pm Cost: $170 Details and [...]
Posted in Professional Development & Resources |
Follow Us!