The UN's IYV+10 has raised the perpetual question of "What exactly is - or is not -volunteering?" How someone defines the core word of our field often has strong impact on some critical, practical matters.
The American "Reimagining Service" initiative is pushing the concept that corporate human resources professionals are the key to building the capacity of nonprofits to engage volunteers. Really?
AmeriCorps (and also Senior Corps) members are now being deployed as volunteer coordinators in organizations that do not have staff to lead volunteer involvement. Susan examines the potential and concerns of this initiative.
Can an organization turn to volunteers to fill gaps when budgets are cut and employees laid off? Economic crisis is a teachable moment, with the potential to educate everyone about smart, motivating engagement of volunteers.
Service-learning has evolved as a world unto itself apart from the field of volunteer management, despite the connecting link of the young people engaged in service. How can we bridge the divide?
Guest contirbutor Paula Beugen examines what the new Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act says (or doesn't) about volunteer management.
Susan shares some true stories that highlight the gap between ever-expanding needs for volunteers and resistance from organizations who do not actually want this help. How welcoming is your setting?
U.S. President Barack Obama is calling for "a new era of responsibility." So in this is a unique moment, Susan's "Open Letter" presents concrete requests from the perspective of volunteer management.
In the spirit of the new year, Susan considers what 2009 might hold in store for volunteering. What are your predictions and wishes?
How do we feel (honestly) when we answer "I'm in volunteer management" when asked what we do? Do we dread watching people’s eyes glaze over? Here are some unexpected and powerful ways to explain our profession.
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