Post on 30-Oct-2014
description
Leading Successful Volunteer Projects
Stacy Merrill Surlassurla@mitre.org
ASIST Annual MeetingNovember 14, 2004
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Introduction
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Introduction
Principles of Leadership
Duties/Practices
Case Study
ToolsInfrastructure
Medicine bag
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What makes a good leader?
Why run volunteer projects?
What problems are faced in volunteer projects?
What works?
Ideas about leadership
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What is a leader?
Leader = – Director– Boss– Person in charge– Responsible party– Owner– Accountable
Principles
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What is a leader?
Leader = Master
Principles
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What is a leader?
Leader ≠ Master
Principles
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What is a leader?
Leader ≠ Master
Leader = Servant
Principles
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What is a leader?
Leader ≠ Master
Leader = Servant
Principles
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What is leadership?
Leadership = Ownership?
Principles
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What is leadership?
Leadership = Ownership?
Leadership = Giving it away
Principles
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Why volunteer projects?
Principles
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Why volunteer projects?
Volunteers =– Save money– Provide ready labor– Give at least as much as
they get
Principles
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Why volunteer projects?
Volunteers = $
Principles
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Why volunteer projects?
Volunteers ≠ $
Principles
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Why volunteer projects?
Volunteers Get > Give
Principles
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Staying on track
Principles
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Staying on track
Keep your eye on the goal
Principles
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Staying on track
Keep your eye on the goal
Remember: the goal will change
Principles
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Duties and Practices
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Not motivational aphorisms (hopefully)
Duties/Practices
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Ask constantly
Look for people who can give in their areas of expertise
Provide real opportunities for people to contribute
Duties/Practices
Invite
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Give ownership and control to others
Trust that things will work out (probably)
Duties/Practices
Trust
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Just muster the nerve to try
Duties/Practices
Be bold
Our doubts are traitors,And make us lose the good we
oft might winBy fearing to attempt.
- Measure for Measure
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You can do it with what you’ve got
You can do it from whatever position you’re in
Duties/Practices
Lead from your strengths
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Be the team’s muse of communication
Set up workable means for communicating
Don’t stop communicating
Duties/Practices
Communicate
“The time to communicate is… Now!”
- Leo Surla
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Champagne in the fridge at all times
Duties/Practices
Celebrate victory
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Case Study
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ASIST website redesign
Scene 1: Executive director (ED) approaches member X about forming a group to plan an ASIST website redesign. ED suggests locals they both know, and promises the support of the board. X thinks the project can be done.
X agrees.
Case Study
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ASIST website redesign
What have we got?
• Achievable goal• Invitation• Giving ownership away
Case Study
Note: The leader in Scene 1 is the Executive Director
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ASIST website redesign
Scene 2: X invites members to meet and discuss. A central place is chosen with access to coffee, books, and snacks. Group members meet regularly to brainstorm, offer expertise, practice new and existing skills, and socialize. Some are more active than others. Timelines, tasks, and limits are set. Activities are summarized in memoranda. Society gives free event registration.
Case Study
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ASIST website redesign
What do we have?• Infrastructure• Volunteers get more than they put in• Volunteers know more than leader• Leader stays on top of details• Work is voluntary – no punishments• Leader constantly invites• Leader gives tasks away• Appreciation, plus valuable perks
Case Study
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ASIST website redesign
Scene 3: The project wraps up, but stalls somewhat. Data collection, analysis, and brainstorming are done, but the 40-page report is not getting written. Meanwhile, X and volunteer Y manage to brief the Board on findings and recommendations. A memo follows and the project is miraculously complete. Board hires a contractor as suggested, and carries the work forward. Appreciation is expressed.
Case Study
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ASIST website redesign
What happened?
• The goal was achieved• The goal looked different than the
team thought it would• The team gave the project away
Case Study
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Tools
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Infrastructure
Plans
Schedules
Regular communication
Measures of progress
Specific tasks
Means for collaboration
Tools
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Medicine bag
StickiesWikisCafé meetingsE-mailInstant messagingChampagneChocolatePerks & Honors
Tools
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Summary
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Summary
Leader = Servant
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Stacy Surlassurla@mitre.org