Community Engagement group at LeadersForCommunities.org

Here’s a great post I just have to share with you, from Reemberto Rodriguez originally posted in his Community Engagement group.  Reemberto’s extensive experience in Planning, Architecture, Urban Affairs, and Curriculum Development in Community Engagement & Neighborhood Revitalization make him someone to watch for emerging ideas in this field.

Read on as Mr. Rodriguez shares motivators and his thoughts on volunteering.

______

Up front questions to ask of the individual, the organization, and the community.

Why do people volunteer? To what end? Altruism, self interest, or a little bit of both? (Ayn Rand, are you listening?) “Take care of numero uno”, we are told. But, “love (serve) your neighbor” we are also told.

In the USofA the value of helping others is deeply rooted and has a rich history. Today, the “call to service” resonates loudly with the aging baby boomers and the younger generation. Our current economic crisis coupled with the innate willingness of both of these generational cohorts – and the rise to the Presidency of a man that clearly ‘gets it’ – seems to be a perfect storm for a ‘new age of volunteerism’. For those of us fortunate enough to be paid to think about such things and operationalize systems or create curriculum to maximize this ‘volunteer energy’, these are exciting times indeed.

More people in need. More people willing to volunteer. An understanding President… A perfect storm… What an opportunity! What excitement! What challenge!

However, before we jump in the volunteer bandwagon, we’d better think through the implications for the individual, organization, and community… Why do people volunteer? What organizational outcome can be expedited by the use of volunteers? How can volunteers weave into the fabric of the community rather than be seen as opportunistic outsiders?

There are a gazillion other questions that we could ask.  Three simple ones to consider include:

[1] Meaning for the individual: How meaningful should the volunteer activity be for the individual? (Are they looking to exercise their profession and/or skills ‘for free’, enrich themselves spirituality, and/or create consciousness for a cause? What is their time commitment, restrictions and/or demand/expectations? How do we ‘segment’ the volunteer pool – youth, elderly, retired, stay-at-home parent; etc. )

[2] Organizational purpose: What is the purpose of using volunteers in the organization? (Is it to alleviate a current condition – i.e. address staffing shortage; or is it to more effectively and efficiently meet a particular organizational objective? Are there internal opportunities for volunteers to get involved in systemic change – or would their participation be ‘busy work’ only? Is our purpose to ‘create consciousness’ – or is immediate resource savings driving the use of volunteers? What is the organization’s capacity to recruit, train, and supervise volunteers?)

[3] Community Context: How will the community benefit from the use of volunteers? (What types of volunteer activities already exist in our community? What is the “demand”? What is the “supply? Who are the existing ‘opportunity providers’? Are the opportunities “one time only”; do they ‘sunset’; or are they permanent and ongoing? Who controls the process? Are they willing to partner?)

The exact nature of the question is not that critical – as long as it is asked of prospective volunteers, leaders in the organization, and residents of the community. There is no right or wrong answer. If the questions are framed correctly, their answers will lead to efficient and effective use of volunteers. If the questions are not framed correctly, the use of volunteers can lead to individual frustrations, organizational loss of resources, and unmet community expectations.

So, what are other questions that should be asked?… Please provide yours. Do please indicate whether the question is of an individual, organization, or community; and, who should ask the question.) Chime in!

These questions help in setting common, attainable goals.  Engaging volunteers and creating rewarding, connecting experiences for them needs to be part of the plan to attain the goals.

Survey your community for improvement ideas, ask respondents how much time they would be willing to devote to their suggestions.  Encouraging suggestions and giving room to implement them may be all that is needed to realize some goals.

Grouping volunteers by type (youth, elderly, retired, home-based worker) allows those with similar time schedules to work together. Solidifying these groups and their position in your community can go a long way toward realizing the improvements they promote.

Not all goals are tangible.  A resident musician may offer to manage a community musical group to perform at events.   Sharing our talents and skills with other community members enriches the whole community, and brings people together.  Try to provide occasions where these new talents and skills can be demonstrated for the community, and people may begin to feel that they can contribute more.

Share with us what your community does to encourage new goals and community events.