Comments for Management4Volunteers Blog

Comment on The Neediness of Volunteer Organisations by Sue Hine

Sue Hine — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 20:53:41 +0000

And what does ‘needing volunteers’ imply about an organisation apparently willing to take all comers?

Comment on The Neediness of Volunteer Organisations by volunteerplaintalk

volunteerplaintalk — Wed, 29 May 2013 11:27:11 +0000

Great point Sue! Using the word “need” also implies that we will take every warm body no matter what. Maybe we “need quality volunteers” or “are looking for the best volunteers”. Need implies desperation and negates our role in screening and placing volunteers correctly. Words do matter!

Comment on The Neediness of Volunteer Organisations by Sue Hine

Sue Hine — Mon, 27 May 2013 20:49:26 +0000

Well said! Civic duty or community obligation do not find favour so much these days, so we need to find alternative attractions for potential volunteers.

Comment on The Neediness of Volunteer Organisations by WaterDragon

WaterDragon — Mon, 27 May 2013 11:23:10 +0000

Need comes with certain overtones of obligation. I’m known to do the “oughts” as well as anyone, but if I’m putting my time and talents towards a cause I believe in, I don’t want to get the sense I’m doing so because I should/ought to do so.

Comment on The Neediness of Volunteer Organisations by Sue Hine

Sue Hine — Mon, 27 May 2013 05:06:08 +0000

Thanks for your comment Mike. We could discuss the philosophic distinctions between ‘needs’ and ‘wants’ at length, but at issue here is the way we market volunteer opportunities in the climate of competition for volunteers as well as funding. Important to find a point of difference, and to link that with known volunteer interests.

Comment on The Neediness of Volunteer Organisations by Mike Feszczak

Mike Feszczak — Sun, 26 May 2013 11:03:34 +0000

Too right Sue. I have seen some really poor pleas for volunteers when the Organisation could be selling the OPPORTUNITIES available. Opportunities to help less fortunate members of the community, opportunities to use/develop skills, opportunities to be part of a welcoming community etc etc. I NEED to own a Bentley, but I’m unlikely to get one……

Comment on Unpacking ‘Communication’ by Paul Rafferty

Paul Rafferty — Sun, 19 May 2013 21:05:55 +0000

Reblogged this on Boggledash's Blog.

Comment on A Shift in the Wind by volunteerplaintalk

volunteerplaintalk — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:02:46 +0000

Wow Sue, you have touched on so much in this great piece. Please keep up the voice, you speak for so, so many of us!

Comment on The Legacies of Volunteering by Sue Hine

Sue Hine — Sun, 05 May 2013 03:54:41 +0000

The glow of volunteering, the feel-good factors will be different for different people. And even if you are driving every elderly person to their doctor that doesn’t mean you get that glow 100% of your time. Don’t bruise your head, have a laugh at the absurdity of expectations coming from people and organisations who don’t ‘get’ volunteering.

Comment on The Legacies of Volunteering by volunteerplaintalk

volunteerplaintalk — Fri, 03 May 2013 13:01:06 +0000

Great article Sue! You really nailed it. If I drive my elderly neighbor, whom I view as a second mother, to her doctor’s appointments, then surely I must want to drive every elderly person to their doctor in my spare time. This is the mentality of people who think that when someone volunteers for an event, they will naturally be caught up in the “volunteering” aspect of the event and want to go on volunteering. So, if “Ted” volunteers at a sporting event, then “Ted” will be so caught up in the glow of volunteering that he will run right out to the nearest woman’s shelter and volunteer. How do those of us in this sector, counter absurdity? Typically, we shake our heads. I, for one, am tired of shaking my head, my brain is bruising!