Hot Topics
Responses to:
Both Receiving and Giving
Submitted 4 February 2010 by H. Roberts,
Blankie Depot - Project Linus NJ,
Keyport/NJ USA
Giving and receiving at our organization often goes hand in hand. Literally!
A good deal of our volunteers learn about the mission having been on the receiving end of a handmade blanket donation. Their own children or extended family members, coworkers or friends may have seen or experienced the impact a handmade blanket has on a child undergoing medical treatment, trauma or upheaval. A large number of our crafting volunteers are professional caregivers who work in social serivces, medical units and human resources. An even higher number of volunteers are healthy, active seniors who feel a strong alliance to helping the young through difficult health and wellness issues.
On the giving back side, we see a strong interest among youth volunteers participating in our "kids helping kids" programs through local school, service clubs and scouting. A growing area of giving in the last five years has been from urban schools and the working poor who want to make a positive contribution to their own communities and balance the perception of "hand out." We have found generally as volunteerism continues to reach a broader audience, a direct shift in the overall concept of giver and receiver changes. It's a positive direction when we collectively respond to the opportunity to pay it forward as both equal and inclusive.
Some of the ways inwhich we actively share the opportunity to give back include:
- answering emails and phones from first time recipient callers
- writing thank you notes to crafting volunteers
- delivering donations
- attending a knit, crochet or quilting workshop
- giving a presentation to potential volunteers
- distributing our agency brochures
Susan, I hope this month's Hot Topic encourages fellow VM's to open their doors and volunteer opportunities to clients and recipients of their unique missions in an appropriate and thoughtful way. Building trust and goodwill should be a mutual experience.
Submitted 3 February 2010 by Jennifer Miller
I am the Volunteer Coordinator at a Ronald McDonald House. We occasionally have guest families participate in our Family Meal Program by preparing a meal for all the House Guests. I feel it is an excellent way for some clients to give back. Of course we understand that not all of our guest families are able to do this and for that reason, we don't really recruit from this group. I would love to hear from other non-profits if they recruit volunteers from this demographic group.
Submitted on 3 February 2010 by Lynne Allebach, Volunteer Assistant,
Souderton Mennonite Homes,
Souderton, PA USA
In the long-term care facility where I work we have a long history of residents serving as volunteers. When new residents move into our independent living units I send a welcome letter and volunteer application. Twice a year the social worker in independent living hosts a new resident social and a separate new family social. These socials serve as an opportunity for residents and their families to learn more about the services available to them, and the opportunity to volunteer is one of the featured topics. We will also receive referrals from activities staff of people in other care units who have expressed interest in volunteering. We are fortunate to have volunteers from all levels of care in our facility.
Submitted 3 February 2010 by Sheila Livingston, GA USA
Quick question to someone who may know the answer: Our agency stopped using clients as volunteers when we were told that the client could have tax implications (they received something from us, i.e. utility payment or seasonal food/gifts) because their volunteering was seen as work earning the item(s) we supplied. I still work for this non-profit, but in a different position now. Although we don't want to admit it, there was also a problem with clients handling seasonal gifts - theft and attitude problems could ruin a day.
Response from Susan, posted 3 February 2010
Any time an organization gives volunteers something of cash value that is not a direct reimbursement for expenses incurred as a volunteer, there are tax implications. Recognition items and small gifts (say, under $20 in value) are no problem, nor is providing food while the volunteer is on site (an accountant can answer specific questions for an agency). However, within your question are two issues that are about volunteer management in general – not about “clients as volunteers.” The first is that your organization seemed to set up client participation as a jobs program or income supplement. If they did this because they thought no client would serve without some monetary compensation, they may have missed an opportunity both for your clients and for the agency. Had they acknowledged this as a jobs program, the accounting may have been different. The second issue is about the theft and attitudes. Is your organization of the opinion that every client is untrustworthy, or (which you imply) did they get rid of any and all client volunteers to protect against the few who couldn’t be trusted? Sounds like no one designed the work client volunteers would do thoughtfully, screened clients for which of them would be truly suited to the work, or supervised them carefully. I can understand this all being a big red flag, but the organization threw the baby out with the bath by not trying to do things properly after they started by doing lots of things wrong. Again – don’t blame the clients! (And I do not blame you, either – thanks for posting!)
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