Posted 2002Apr19
Submitted by Anne Hislop, Training Officer, Volunteer Development
Scotland, Stirling, Scotland
Congratulations, Susan. Sustaining your level of energy over the years
is an achievement in itself ! I look forward to seeing you again in
Scotland in September.
Posted 2002Mar28
Submitted by Welthea Christman, Coordinator of Volunteer, Alzheimer's
Association Rochester Chapter & Chairperson of RAAVS- Rochester Area
Administrators of Volunteer Services, New York, USA
Susan ~ Congratulations on 25 years of boundless enthusiasm for the
world of volunteers; and the encouragement and support you have provided
to all who coordinate/manage/direct (whatever it is called) volunteers.
We couldn't "do it" without them, and do it so much better because
of you! Thank you for your inspiration!
Posted 2002Mar28
Submitted by Gerald (Jerry) Pannozzo, CVA, Assistant Director, Mayor's
Voluntary Action Center, New York, USA
Congratulations! Four months before you started Energize, I moved
to NYC. Twenty-five years ago I was focused on my first career. I
met you following my career change in 1993. Your energy, enthusiasm,
wit and the tools you had developed (I hate re-inventing the wheel)
made a positive impression on me during the workshops I attended--
as did your books.
"What have I learned from working with volunteers?" The following
statements are borrowed.
- No one volunteers with the intention to fail. - Set them up to
succeed.
- Treat the paid staff as well as you treat the volunteers.
- Respect each individual's comfort zone -- not everyone is the
trailblazer, the mentor, the negotiator, the follower, etc.
- Allow the individual to discover his/her unique contribution.
- It is sometimes a challenge to apply to "real life" what you
learn at workshops / conferences. However, take baby steps rather
than "no steps" and build on your successes.
It is the support of colleagues (as well as the debates) that have
been a very significant component of my experience as a volunteer
administrator. I second your motion, "Here's to the future."
Posted 2002Mar21
Submitted by Russ Ayers, President, American Ukrainian Medical Project,
Seattle, WA USA
Congratulations and thank you! One meets some of the finest people
in service to others.
Posted 2002Mar20
Submitted by Sarah H. Elliston, Sr. Volunteer Resource Associate,
United Way & Community Chest
I feel humbled by all that has been said. I will add my paltry words-
how to make them as impactful? Congratulations Susan, and thank-you
for always stretching my mind and helping me understand this zany,
energized and always interesting field in which I (like so many others)
found myself. I always say that you are the thinker who is two steps
out in front of the rest of us, challenging us to look and think again.
Thanks for your dedication and scholarship.
Posted 2002Mar20
Submitted by Kevin Ryan, President, Community Hero Card, Inc., Minneapolis,
Minnesota USA
Congratulations on achieving a very major milestone. I have enjoyed
reading your monthly essays and find your realistic view of the relationship
between mission and margin very energizing. On behalf of our private,
public collaborative, we wish you Gods speed for the next 25 years!
Posted 2002Mar19
Submitted by Jan Masaoka, CompassPoint Nonprofit Services, San Francisco/San
Jose, California
Here's one more truism: if Susan Ellis says it, it's true.
Posted 2002Mar19
Submitted by Lynn M. Teatro, Durham East Housing Outreach Worker,
John Howard Society of Durham, Ontario, Canada
Susan: It has been many years since I have worked as a volunteer coordinator
and yet I eagerly checkout your e-publication every time I receive
my notice. The agency where I am currently employed has no formal
volunteer program. However, we do take advantage of placement students
from local colleges and secondary schools. Your articles remind me
how valuable they are and how important it is to let them know how
much they make our work easier, make our hours count for more and
make our clients feel better served. And I think "The most important
social change has always bee achieved by those who are loud and visible."
should be emblazoned on t-shirts and bumper stickers.
Posted 2002Mar19
Submitted by Judy Cook, Regional Volunteer Coordinator St. John's
Nursing Home Board, St John's Newfoundland , Canada
Congratulations on 25 years. My work with coordinating volunteers
over the past 15 years has given me so much joy -- and moments of
frustrations as well --but so much more joy. As a person I've have
grown mentally and spiritually because of, and along side of, volunteers.
To some, I have been their mentor; others have been mine. All of then
have shown a true understanding and compassion for caring for others.
What a wonderful journey it is to spend each day of your work life
with such caring people..
Posted 18Mar2002
Submitted by Therese Caldwell, Volunteer Services Liaison,
North Kitsap School District, Washington State, USA
Congratulations, Susan! Here's to 25 more great, productive,inspired
years! I am relatively new to the volunteer management world, with
just one year under my belt. However, I have worked with volunteers
as a volunteer for about 14 years. The single most important thing
I have learned is the value of ongoing, clear communication, whether
verbal, written or face-to-face. Things are so easily misunderstood
- it's vital to have those open, varied channels of communication!
This builds confidence and trust in your organization, encourages
input and support from the community and fosters a wonderfully creative
work environment.
Posted 18Mar2002
Submitted by Alicia Pappas, Volunteer Coordinator-Tyler Police
Department- Volunteers In Policing, Texas
CONGRATULATIONS SUSUN ON A JOB WELL DONE!! It was a pleasure meeting
you in Dallas/Ft.Worth at the 1998 International Conference on Volunteer
Administration. You are one "fired up" lady on volunteerism and the
spirit is certainly catching by all who come in contact with you.
Your books are outstanding and helped me create a new program at Tyler
Police Department. A million thanks!!
Posted 18Mar2002
Submitted by Mary Reynolds Babcock, Director of Volunteer Services,
Thanks for reminding us of how fast time passes when you're having
fun. Susan you are certainly to be commended for all you have done
for the field and for folks personally and professionally. What I
have learned over the past 37 years of working with volunteers would
fill a book, when I take time to write it down. Just a few of the
thing that have kept me going are:
- You can't buy caring.
- There is no substitute for believing you can make a difference.
- Youth are the future and are willing to do great things. We must
take time to cultivate their spirit and allow them to become leaders
who understand the importance of giving and sharing self with others.
Thank you for all you continue to do.
Posted 12Mar2002
Submitted by Stephanie Linder, Project Manager, Center for
Volunteer Engagement, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, California,
USA
Congratulations Susan! What a wonderful piece - I've forwarded it
on to the Planned Parenthood Network of Volunteer Advocates. Your
list would make a nice handout to staff for National Volunteer Week.
Posted 11Mar2002
Submitted by Sheri Wilensky, Director, Volunteer Outreach,
American Lung Association, New York, NY
Wow, Susan. 25 years. Remarkable! Congratulations -- I know I would
not be able to perform my job as effectively if it wasn't for you,
your creativity and your wonderful publications and resources. Thank
you for all you do and for continually giving of yourself.
Posted 8Mar2002
Submitted by Mary Ellen LaBruto, Judicial Volunteer Coordinator,
New Jersey Superior Court, Ocean County, New Jersey, USA
Let me join the chorus of voices congratulating you on this milestone
in your career, and in extending my abiding sense of gratitude, for
the countless times you have soothed and "energized" our spirits,
and spurred us on to do better than we ever dreamed we could. You
have done for us what we see our volunteers do every day. For sharing
the deep well of your imagination, intellect, and integrity, I will
be forever thankful.
Posted 5Mar2002
Submitted by Kate Quinn, Director, United Way Volunteer Center
Lancaster , PA USA
As usual Susan, you know and elucidate all the good stuff. Congratulations
on 25 years in a difficult business. And, after a lot of years, here's
the only thing I've ever really learned...all trouble springs from
the fact that people don't know what they don't know.
Posted 5Mar2002
Submitted by Cissy Seibel , Director,Volunteer Center, Center
For Nonprofit Resources, Dayton, Ohio USA
Congratulations Susan. You have brought so many of us to a new level
of professionalism. A level we must strive to keep for our future
Volunteeer Administrators. You have said to us over the years, in
many different ways, we must change and evolve, we must bring in new
people and make the ground furtile for their ideas, we must accept
and support the new types of volunteers coming our way. I have learned
so much from volunteers over the past 11 years I could write a book.
But mostly I've learned "if you can't change your mind, you can't
change anything." And, that not only CAN volunteers change the world
but they have for centuries. From voting rights to disaster relief;
school reform to building homesless shelters. Volunteers are, and
continue to be, the power behind our great county.
Posted 5Mar2002
Submitted by Douglas Mackay, Volunteer Service & Resource Project,
Pennsylvania USA
Congratulations, Susan, on achieving the silver anniversary. In this
year of Olympian feats, you've been a gold medal winner. I salute
you for 25 years of undaunted service, inspiration, guidance, and
leadership. As usual, too, your remarks are right on the money, worthy
of reprints and pass alongs, a volunteer's stock-in-trade. Few people
have your quality to engage, enlighten, encourage, and enthuse. Where
would I be or where would many be without your support?
Though yours has not been an effort of volunteer service, it's been
in service to volunteers, which amounts to the same thing. Your windmills
have never been figments of your imagination or metaphors, but real
life challenges facing entrenched and difficult points of view. You
have always had the courage to espouse and to question but also the
willingness to accept, hallmarks of effective volunteering. As your
accomplishment points out, effort and perseverance mark the qualities
of anyone engaged either with or in t! he volunteer spirit. Where
would "we" be without your energy facing the battles or defining the
allies and exposing the enemies of volunteerism? Volunteering is democracy...
and you have been its champion. Thank you.
Posted 5Mar2002
Submitted by Jayne Cravens, United Nations Volunteers, Bonn,
Germany
Susan's work -- her workshops, her books, her discussions over beer
at the Broken Spoke -- have had a profound impact on me, the way I
do my professional work, and the way I volunteer myself. The Virtual
Volunteering Project would never have had legitimacy or credibility
without her involvement and her generosity -- and online volunteering
would not have the impact it does now without her influence. To me,
she is a key player in keeping volunteer management high profile and
"honest." She said "Value mavericks and dreamers. They may sometimes
be irritants, but often plant the seeds of change." Here's to my favorite
maverick. I rely so much on her books and Web sites, and I'm looking
forward to many more years of resources and insights.
Posted 5Mar2002
Submitted by Rosemary Sage, Executive Director, Volunteering SA, South
Australia
Congratulations Susan on 25 years of interest and support for the
volunteer community. Once again your wit and wisdom have a way of
making very profound statements that we all enjoy using in our work.
Keep up the great work and Thank you.
Posted 3Mar2002
Submitted by Rustie Brooke, Wizard Productions/Civic Engagements,
New York City
Congratulations and thank you Susan, for 25 years of continuous trailblazing.
The international volunteerism community is richer in all aspects,
by your thoughtful contributions and I wish you many more years of
courage and clarity.
I share with you and your readers these few lines of Schopenhauer
that
accompany me in my travels:
"Thus, the task is not so much to see
what no one yet has seen,
but to think what nobody yet has thought
about that which everybody sees."
