Shifting Expectations and a Culture

of Engagement

Abundance.

“Nonprofits have access to all the resources they will ever need because of their profound circles of influence. The key is transforming the organization to a culture of meaningful volunteer engagement in order to access those abundant resources.”

- Jill Friedman Fixler

A beginning thought…

Now, let’s play!

• Very busy, has many obligations and often volunteers for multiple organizations

• Wants flexibility• Expects to be empowered• Is tech savvy• Doesn’t want to simply make a contribution; wants to make a difference

• Doesn’t want to be micromanaged

The “New Breed” of Volunteer

The Participatory Revolution

So, what can we do about it?

Management

Engagement

Management to Engagement

Recruitment

Cultivation and networkingPlacement

Negotiation and agreement

Supervision Support

Performance Review

Performance measurement

Recognition Authentic acknowledgement

Retention Sustainability

From Us & Them to We

Assessment of Organizational Volunteer Engagement

Strengths and Surprises

• What will you need to change to move further toward a culture of engagement?

• What is one SMALL change you can EASILY make to tweak your program to better fit the needs of the “New Breed” of volunteer?

• What is one BIG change that you’ll need to WORK TOWARD to better engage the “New Breed?”

Changes

• Don’t go it alone!• Start small.• Build on your successes.• Remember the abundance!• Go to Burgen’s session “Planning for Successful

Changes”

Moving toward a Culture of Volunteer Engagement

Allison RuncheyVolunteer Outreach Coordinator

Minnesota Literacy Council

651-251-9110arunchey@mnliteracy.org