Monday, November 4, 2013

International Volunteer Managers Day 2013

As we approach another International Volunteer Managers Day (IVMD), I ponder the true meaning of the day.  The banners and posters on the IVMD website suggest that IVMD is about thanking “Leaders of Volunteers” for fighting for and enabling volunteers and working their “Magic” or to perhaps “Go Crazy” celebrating the day or that a person who managers volunteers is some sort of “Miracle Worker”.

To me the message is clear.  If you value volunteers, you value volunteer managers!

It is not about being miracle workers or working magic.  It is about leadership and direction of volunteers, valuing their contributions by providing meaningful tasks within a professional, safe environment and acknowledging the donation of that very precious commodity, time.
 

1 comment:

  1. Great post Wendy, thank you. I agree with your message 100%. My own message is the same thing in reverse: If you have a good manager of volunteers you'll have a great volunteer programme.

    I've not long come back from a wow of a gathering in Wellington where the crowd, the buzz, the networking, and the plaudits for managers of volunteers was awesome - like we really are worth something!

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International Volunteer Managers Day 2013

As we approach another International Volunteer Managers Day (IVMD), I ponder the true meaning of the day.   The banners and posters on the...