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By Deb Bicknell

At the Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN) we have a group of young people who help to plan all aspects of our events, a youth planning team, or YPT, as we fondly call it. The group has varied in size over the years, but for the past five years youth from across the state gather faithfully (or sometimes not) to help plan. At MYAN we often talk about sharing power between youth and adults and we believe that creating a more balanced relationship of power is a an essential part of effective youth and adult partnership. YPT is one of the places at MYAN where we get to “walk our talk.” We get to experience first hand various barriers to this and to practice sharing power. Here are some tips and thoughts, from my perspective, that have come in part from these experiences.

1. Be willing. Examining the places and ways that you and you don’t feel comfortable sharing power is an important and valuable step.
2. Be honest. Sometimes we have requirements or other external constraints that prohibit us from sharing the amount of power we might want. Being honest and clear about decision making practices, and who has power to make decisions is really helpful to share.
3. Notice language. Use of acronyms and any kind of language that is common to a closed community can create barriers. Be sure to take time to explain terminology as it comes up and to ask when you don’t understand terms that others are using.
4. Offer tools, let go. Sharing power is not about “just letting youth do it.” Offer tools that will support success and leadership and then be willing to let youth take the reigns from there.
5. Be patient. Sharing power effectively in youth adult partnerships takes time and can sometimes be a frustrating and/or baffling experience. You do not have to do it perfectly. See #6 for help with this.
6. Make mistakes and admit it. This can be a powerful step for adults and it can also help to build trust and respect between youth and adult partners. Often youth see adults as “knowing it all” or at least thinking they do, and adults can feel like they need to play this role. Breaking down roles and assumptions between the two groups also assists with building healthy and meaningful connection.
7. Build trust. We all know that trust is a cornerstone to healthy relationships and ultimately youth and adult partnerships are about healthy, respectful, authentic relationships.
8. Seek support. If you or your group is interested in collaborating with youth it is a good idea to get some sort of training or support. We often hear people talking about getting support and help for the youth who are joining an adult committee or group but it really is a two way street.
This is not a comprehensive list but more an invitation for the reader to think about how you share power with youth. Good luck, have fun – the benefits are absolutely worth it.

By Deb Bicknell is the Training and Projects Coordinator at Maine Youth Action Network(MYAN)and a Guest Blogger.

By Bob Moore

With an influx of the newly unemployed, New York Cares, an organization that links volunteers to projects, is anticipating over 50,000 recruits this year, up from 27,000 just four years ago. Likewise, Taproot, a San Francisco-based nonprofit saw its volunteers jump by nearly 125% last year – even though they had stopped actively recruiting. “Without more money to train and manage the surge of volunteers, this will be a missed opportunity for many charities”, says Lindsay Firestone, Project Manager for Taproot.

To that end, many non-profits are putting their hopes on the sweeping legislation that President Obama signed in April. The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act is the largest expansion of national service since President Kennedy launched Peace Corps and VISTA in the early 1960’s.

http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/newsroom/releases_detail.asp?tbl_pr_id=1283

The act will add tens of thousands of new positions to the AmeriCorps program – including older Americans – while also providing funds to charities across the United States to train and oversee more volunteers. Good news for all organizations looking to expand their volunteer base.

Bob Moore is the Executive Director of Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed and a featured blogger.

By Penny Kern

Do you find recruiting or maintaining a volunteer program particularly difficult during the summer months? Is it the “summer attitude” of laying back and relaxing what is happening? Or, could it be that there are so many local, community events taking what limited resources we have to make them run successfully? I don’t have to recruit volunteers any more but I find myself, as a volunteer, looking for a different kind of volunteer opportunity in the summer time. I hope I get some feedback because this is something I’ve been wrestling with for awhile now. Thank you

Penny Kern has been a manager of volunteers for more than 17 years and is a featured blogger.

By Trudy Hamilton

Those of you who know me understand how I feel about advocating for professionalism in our field. I’m all for it, and think we need to promote it…united we stand, divided we fall kind of thinking.

Part of the process is to define what we mean by Professionalism, so we look to other professions. What makes a teacher a professional? An attorney? An accountant? Training, of course. Continuing activities within their field for professional development and advocacy, as well. Professional associations, groups, or networks are terrific. How about how they define the special set of skills that makes them an accepted professional in their chosen field?

This came to mind in San Francisco, while I was in a workshop about advocating for our profession. One of the interactive questions was what do we do? There were a variety of answers, including human resources manager, fund development manager, activity or program coordinator or specialist, and other descriptions. What struck me as incredibly odd is that no one stood up and said they were a Volunteer Manager. Everything else we may do as part of our job was listed, but there was no sense of “I am a Volunteer Manager, and here are the skills that are important to my profession.”

While there is much publicity right now about the Obama plans for Americorps, service, and volunteerism, there is also a lot of movement for the independent sector (by which I mean those of us who are not affiliated with HON or Americorps as the main part of our work), as well, for professionalizing our field. While the AVA is no more, and AVRM seems pretty quiet, another group, AL!VE (disclaimer…I’m on their National Board of Directors), that is working toward the networking, advocacy and professionalism pieces. You’ll hear more about them soon. Perhaps the first thing that should be done is the development of a standard, bare-bones position description that lists the minimum, must have skills and expectations of a professional Volunteer Manager, as well as the nice to have, nice to expect pieces. One we can share among ourselves, but also put out there for employers to see, so they can gain some insight about the specific skills and responsibilities they can expect from a Volunteer Manager, as well as what they should not expect.

Here is a challenge for each of you reading this: Respond to this piece by answering the question “ What do you think makes a professional Volunteer Manager? Why?”

Trudy Hamilton is a Volunteer Manager at SeniorsPlus and a featured blogger.

By Karen Stephenson

With the deadline for 6 Who Care nominations just around the corner, I’ve been reflecting on volunteer recognition and what it means to the volunteer. I believe most volunteers don’t do the work they do because they want to be recognized. Typically they like the work, believe in the cause, want to learn or enhance a skill, etc., but they aren’t doing it for the recognition. I am personally embarrassed by public recognition. I don’t like to be the center of attention and I don’t like people to “make a fuss” about me. I do, however, like to have people take an interest in me, ask how I’m doing, how’s my work going, etc. just so I know the work I’m doing is important to the organization whether it’s filing, folding napkins for an event or creating a volunteer manual.

I’ve managed the 6 Who Care recognition event for the three years I’ve been here at the United Way of Greater Portland. I’ve been on the initial review committee reading through nomination forms and seen the variety of volunteer work people in our state are involved with. Anyone who’s ever been on a review committee like this knows it’s very humbling. Having met the final winners of the awards and read about the amazing work they do, I would venture to say that about 98% of the winners of the 6 Who Care award are like me, embarrassed by public recognition, terrified of giving a speech, etc. What I find, though is that deep down, they enjoy receiving the award not because they want the physical award, or even the check to the agency of their choice, but because deep down, we all want to feel that the work we are doing is meaningful and makes a difference to someone. I see them celebrating with their family and friends on the evening of the award ceremony and see the pride in the work they do and the knowledge that “yes, I’m helping another agency/person, etc. and I am making a difference”. This event is also an opportunity for the volunteer to thank all of those who make their volunteering possible, be it their spouse who puts the kids to bed on the nights they volunteer, the volunteer manager who matched them with the perfect opportunity to help or the client they work with who truly has given them more than they believe they’ve given as a volunteer. It’s one of the most inspiring projects I’ve ever worked on.

There are many ways to recognize our volunteers, from a simple “thanks for your work today” to a nomination for an award such as 6 Who Care. Everyone wants to feel needed and appreciated in some way. Here are resources and ideas to recognize volunteers:

Click on the 6 Who Care links to recognize volunteers and/or a non-profit agency
Governor’s Service Awards
www.energizeinc.com - resource books and articles
www.baudville.com - recognition items and ideas
Seattle Schools - list of ideas and best practices

Karen Stephenson is the Director Volunteer Development at the United Way of Greater Portland and a guest blogger.

By Pete Phair

All volunteers are special, but some volunteers are like a four-leaf clover. You never know where you might stumble upon one but you feel so lucky when you do. Some of the most devoted volunteers I have ever worked with came from some of the least likely places.

One of my favorite volunteer stories is about a woman whose daughter attended a day camp I was running in the Bangor area a few years ago. She had just moved to the area from somewhere down south and was working hard to acclimate herself and her daughter to Maine. She was desperately seeking work and until she found something permanent, she offered to help out at camp. I suspected it was because she wanted to be close to her daughter but that was just fine by me.

At first, I asked her to clean up some data files that I had been dreading to get to. She had done some computer work in a past life so she zipped right through this task in a day (I thought it would take her a week) and came to me with that patented, “I’m done- what now?” look. I think I asked her to do some cleaning to round off the day and I thanked her profusely for her efforts.

The next time she came to volunteer, I set her on the task of organizing the boathouse. No ordinary boathouse. One that was half under water (not necessarily by design), full of creepy creatures and probably better suited for housing hardened criminals than a dozen canoes. It listed slightly to the side and the dirt floor was that clammy, cakey kind of dirt that takes some effort to get off your pearly white sneakers.

I liked this woman and I was fearful that by giving her such a challenging job, I might jeopardize her desire to continue as a volunteer. However, the impending board meeting and facility tour required that I do something with the boathouse so I was in a quandary. I opted for the risk of losing a volunteer verses the gain of the boards’ favor.

To say she surprised me really does not do justice to the effort she put into this project. It took her all day and she borrowed my maintenance guy for half of it, but by day’s end, she had rigged a storage system for the canoes that got them off the mud floor and had done the same for the fifty life jackets that were fast evolving from a bright orange hue into a chocolate brown stain. She had had the maintenance guy build shelves for the various and sundry boat parts and supplies and had painted the interior a bright white so that instead of a cave, it now resembled something closer to a sun porch – albeit without the Sun (there were no windows).

I had only asked her to sweep cobwebs, arrange the canoes and give some order to the life jackets so when I politely asked her why she had gone so overboard, she replied, “because it needed to be done”. If only I could have bottled that mentality and served it to some of the teenage staff…

Unfortunately, she volunteered for only another four weeks before she was scooped up by a savvy employer and no longer had the time. But while I had her available, she accomplished a half dozen non-essential projects around camp that all needed to be done, but probably would have been put on the back burner if not for a dedicated volunteer.

Over the years, other volunteers with similar get-it-done attitudes have continued to surprise me with efforts that go beyond the pale. When you expect a cheeseburger and get a steak, well, please pass the A-1.

So when you find yourself with a four-leaf volunteer, or a lucky rabbit’s volunteer or discover that you are throwing a pinch of volunteer over your shoulder for good luck, remember to celebrate your good fortune and be thankful that Lady Luck has smiled on you. Just try to get her to clean out a boathouse.

Pete is the Outreach Coordinator for WinterKids and is a guest blogger.

By Ruth Saint Amand

Senior Corps Week, July 13th through July 19th, has come to an end! With a flurry of activity, from the signing of the Proclamation by Governor Baldacci on Monday the 13th, to news releases and events from Aroostook County to York County, eight Senior Corps Programs took the opportunity to highlight the impact of Senior Corps volunteers in Maine and to celebrate their service. A few of the highlights from that week include:
• In Aroostook County, a local 30-second PSA ran on WAGM-TV and Volunteer Maine. News releases ran in four local newspapers.
• The Senior Corps programs in the Bangor area set up an informational booth at an early-evening Outdoor Market and Concert.
• In Rockland, a Match Maker open house was held and four volunteers were signed up!
• In Southern Maine a Senior Volunteer Fair was held in Scarborough with refreshments, entertainment; and an opportunity for people to visit with about a dozen exhibitors who provide services for seniors in that area.
• In Central Maine, a two-day Health Fair was held at Spectrum Generations’ Muskie Center with exhibitors who shared information on everything from games to keep the mind active to nutrition and put on demonstrations on Tai Chi, Yoga and much more!

In my opinion, recruitment is the toughest of the three R’s – Recruitment, Retention, and Recognition. It’s difficult at best to get the word out and often feels like we’re the best kept secret in the volunteer world! This week was a great opportunity for all Senior Corps programs – RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program); SCP (Senior Companion Program), and FGP (Foster Grandparent Program) to get the word out about the wonderful and unique opportunities we have for people 55 and older to share their experience and knowledge with their communities.

A heartfelt THANK YOU goes to Rochelle Runge, Public Relations Representative for the Maine Commission for Community Service, for her hard work to make Senior Corps Week a success. We look forward to reaping the benefits this week has afforded our programs, and planning ahead for our next event!

Ruth Saint Amand is the Director of HealthReach RSVP and a guest blogger.

By Rochelle Runge

With the opening of registration for the Blaine House Conference on Volunteerism it got me thinking about professional development in our field. It can be so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day that we forget about our own enrichment. One of the ways I remember is by putting a note on my calendar that pops up to remind me. I find that if it’s not on the calendar it doesn’t get done! Whatever your strategy its import to keep up on the latest in your field.

I recently went to the National Conference on Volunteering and Service. Although I was very excited to go, I found myself a little stressed out before leaving, fretting about all the things I needed to get done at the office. We had a service project we were working on with the Governor for United We Serve and many other things going on! When I left I was a bit apprehensive, but after my first class I was so happy I made the effort!

I learned new things, met interesting people, and made some great connections. Most off all I felt refreshed and re-energized to do my job! It reminded me why professional development is so important! I’m excited about a similar opportunity right here in Maine, The Blaine House Conference on Volunteerism! There is more information about it below along with some other great resources- some you may recognize others you may not. Either way copy and paste them into you calendar and set aside some time to refresh and re-energize yourself!

Educational and Training Resources for Managers of Volunteers:
Certified in Volunteer Administration is the only international professional certification in the field of volunteer resources management.
Nonprofit Buzz is a great resource for anyone who leads, manages, staffs or volunteers for a non-profit organization.
Energize empowers and inspires leaders of volunteers worldwide.
People First -Total Solutions works with nonprofits to improve the efficiency, and effectiveness.
The Corporation for National for and Community Service
Competencies for Managers of Volunteers- Asses your skills!
United We Serveis a nationwide service initiative that will help meet growing social needs resulting from the economic downturn. With the knowledge that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things when given the proper tools, President Obama is asking us to come together to help lay a new foundation for growth. United We Serve is an initial 81 days of service but will grow into a sustained, collaborative and focused effort to promote service as a way of life for all Americans.
Tips from the Maine Commission for Community Service on recruitment, working with different generations, writing position descriptions, and much more!
Blaine House Conference on Volunteerism-Keynote Speaker- Martin J. Cowling When: October 13, 2009
Where: University of Maine, Orono
Time: 8:30AM- 4:30PM
Early Bird Registration: $75 *Other Discounts Available.
The Blaine House Conference on Volunteerism is the State’s only professional development conference tailored exclusively to the needs and challenges of leaders like you in the state’s volunteer sector. Workshop Topics Include:
- Social Media
- Volunteer Management from Beginner to Advanced
- Building Partnerships
- Kennedy Serve America Act
- Pro Bono and Highly Skilled Volunteers

Rochelle Runge is the Public Relations Officer for the Maine Commission for Community Service and a guest blogger.

By Eleanor Reese

What do you do with all the new found information or ideas you’ve gained through your networks, workshops and publications? Do you implement it right away? Do you file it away for future use? Or maybe you just feel overloaded? Such was the case when I learned about the ABCD model when attending an Advanced Community Building Track at a conference in 2004. It was an intense endeavor. It took the entire conference time to develop. And it was sometimes confusing to navigate through. I came away from the whole experience with plenty of material to ponder and thinking “How in the world will I ever apply this to what I do?” From time to time I did refer to the material, which was sound and made sense, but was overwhelmed by the amount of work required to implement it.

I ran across another article in a 2007 publication, which related three case studies on the ABCD model. The article ended with three common lessons learned, I.e. The Most Important Stuff.
■ Connections should center on gifts
Identify and mobilize people’s gifts.
■ Connectors understand the nature of citizen space
The bridge to community is built of relationships in the every day life of its citizens.
■ Connectors should be valued
A connector is a special kind of community leader who opens doors for other people.

I suddenly had an “Aha!” moment when I realized that the material had obviously stayed with me. I decided to try out the idea of ‘Making Community Connections’ on a new coordinator and outlined some goals based on the lessons gleaned in this article. As the connector leader, she would identify people’s (volunteer’s) gifts and bridge the relationships in their own community. She worked the idea community by community, which took some time to develop. I am glad to report she has produced amazing community results and support in less than two years. Her most recent connections include mobilizing people, places and materials to establish a new senior center in a community.

This was a small step but nevertheless a step in the right direction on my part. We continue to remain focused by including ‘Making Community Connections’ a part of our regular staff meeting discussions.

Resources used in developing this blog:
A Community Building Workbook: 2005 ABCD Institute
www.abcdinstitute.org
www.coady.stfx.ca/work/ABCD
Building Communities From the Inside Out: John P Kretzman and John L. McKnight

Eleanor Reese is the Director of Aroostook RSVP and a guest blooger in celebration of Senior Corps Week.

By Paula Burnett

Come on down! Be a volunteer contestant! Select a door! What is behind door #1, door #2, or door #3?

Ok, the volunteer has selected your door (agency). Now it is time to “make a deal” to cement this relationship and keep that volunteer coming back. Ahhhhhhhh, retention is the real name of the game. How many times each day do volunteers consider themselves unnoticed, unappreciated, unrecognized, and just leave? It happens all the time…more than you may realize. The deal is volunteers are not staff, which volunteer supervisors sometimes forget, and the reasons for being a volunteer vary from the sheer joy of doing an activity to a feeling of belongingness to leaving a legacy for future generations. Smiles, thank you’s, sincere feedback, and listening to their suggestions on a regular basis go a long way in terms of retaining volunteers and recruiting new volunteers via their comments to friends, family, and other community members. Put yourself in the shoes of your volunteer’s experience at the site….how would you like to be treated and remembered?

Here are a few volunteer testimonials for why Senior Corps volunteers choose to serve. These are gentle reminders for all of us in volunteer management.

Door #1 Senior Companion Program - “After I retired, I really didn’t know what to do with myself. I really felt depressed and useless, often looking out the window and wondering why I felt so down. Someone told me about SCP so I decided to volunteer. I don’t know that I would be here today if I had not gotten out and started to help other people. I have purpose and enjoy visiting others. Some days when it’s hard to get going, I think of the people who are waiting for me to visit and it really gets me moving. Somebody really needs me.” - Ed Morrissey

“Doing what I am doing has made my life so much better.” - Kay Newman

Door #2 Foster Grandparent Program - “I have grown in many ways. The students and teachers make me feel special every day…It’s been a privilege for me to be a part of FGP. We don’t have the responsibilities the staff has, but I believe we help so they can do what they need to do as they teach the kids to be intelligent, responsible adults. They [the children] are our future; we need to take care of them. They will need all the help we can give them.” – Prudy Turner

Door #3 Retired and Senior Volunteer Program – “Volunteering is fulfillment for my heart and allows me to meet the needs of my community.” - Edith Hussey

In conclusion and celebration of Senior Corps Week, I would like to take this time to encourage all volunteer managers to review the promises, trainings, and tasks that were set forth for their volunteers when the volunteers started serving. In other words, have you lived up to the DEAL you made with your volunteers? Perhaps, it is time to make a new DEAL.

Paula Burnett is a RSVP Director at the UMaine Center on Aging RSVP and a guest blogger.