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Responses to: One Step Further: Volunteer Services and Agency-wide Education

Submitted on 5August2003 by Carol Bloemer, RSVP Director / Volunteer Center of East Central WI, Appleton, WI
The program that I worked for previously often encouraged volunteers to attend the staff trainings. Every new staff person was required to attend the Volunteer Training. I think they did a great job at combining the two groups for purposes of education, appreciation of each other, and to have a shared experience. Quite a few ex-employees have been volunteers after they left the agency . I think that the respect that the agency placed on volunteerism is one of the reasons why ex-employees and volunteers have made long-term commitments to the agency.

Submitted on 5August2003 by Judith Milton, Manager, The Board Bank Program, United Way of Gtr St. Louis, St. Louis, MO Your article on professional education sparked me to articulate an education/training idea for diversifying nonprofit boards of directors. Making the first woman, man or person of color be willing to take the risk of joining an established board is important to successfully diversifying a nonprofit board. New recruits must feel comfortable and included to participate effectively. Education and training for key staff and volunteers who are recruiting minority board members has been overlooked.

Submitted on 5August2003 by Sara Redfern, Coordinator of Volunteer Services, AIDS Committee of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
This is a great idea! Offering training sessions to both staff and volunteers in the agency where I work has contributed to the cohesiveness of the team & has exemplified our commitment to professional development for both paid and unpaid staff.

Opening in-house training sessions to volunteers from other organizations has facilitated partnerships and resource-sharing with key community members & agencies.

Submitted on 5August2003 by Mary Ryan, Manager, Community Resources, Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
As usual, Susan has "hit the nail on the head." This approach helps us achieve two things - it's an opportunity for us to raise our profile and credibility within the organization from a professional perspective and a great opportunity to partner with our human resources colleagues to build awareness and commitment to what we do i.e. the human resources management of unpaid staff. I will be sharing at our next combined staff meeting.

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