Associations need volunteers. We rely on our volunteers for strategic insight,
strategy and direction. Our volunteers
become our subject matter experts, serving as guides and gurus for one another
under the association framework. Through
our volunteers we benefit from local or specialized groups and
programming. For every organization
there is a path of growth and recognition, however formal, that a volunteer
travels. Their journey may start from handing
out name badges, and in a number of years they may end up on the Board of
Directors. These paths are neither constant
nor pre-established, but they exist and we rely on them to drive our
organizations forward just as much as we look to the bottom line on the financial
returns to be ever growing.
The primary focus for most associations is to feed the pool
of volunteers. As organizations expand
there is an ever enlarging demand to fulfill the number of responsibilities to
make everything run. Recruiting new
volunteers, avoiding volunteer burnout, creating a volunteer acceleration curve
– these are all primary foci of associations.
Yet, instead of creating a volunteer path I believe too often we create
a volunteer cliff.
A volunteer has given to you organization – they have
climbed the proverbial volunteer ladder and reached the pinnacle – be it the association
BOD or their own local chapter presidency – I ask, what next? Too often we make the assumption that there
are lifetime diehards who are so committed to the association that without a
next step they will find their own next step of involvement. I believe this is taking for granted one of
our most valuable resources.
We all know volunteers basically work a part time job in the
time they commit to our organizations – for no pay. If we can not help them realize what options
they have to continue that volunteer growth, then we risk losing their
knowledge, passion and enthusiasm for the very things that make our
associations great. So they have been
Chair of the BOD – even Past Chair – what next?
Do you have a suggested path they should follow? Options for how they can continue to
contribute that are portrayed in a manner that does not seem to be a step
backwards?
I believe this is one of our neglected groups of volunteers –
the PVIPS (Post VIP’s) – they have had the limelight, influenced the direction
of the organization – locally or globally – and have been ‘put out to pasture.’ If you do not have specific ways they can
stay involved, then the assumption that they will is false. Here are just a few options:
1.
Mentorship: for next gen leaders, for those
entering the profession, for forming ‘clubs’ of past presidents, vp’s,
treasurers, etc – how can these leaders take their hands-on knowledge and serve
as mentors to those that come next and beyond
2.
Advisorships: Rather than mentoring a person,
what if these leaders still had the option to submit feedback on the strategic
direction and initiatives of the organization?
The BOD would have a knowledgeable source to rely upon for perspective.
3.
Implementation:
Neither the BOD nor the staff can do everything – and we should not
expect them to do so. After identifying strategic
initiatives and creating task forces, etc – what if these leaders stepped into roles
of direction and implementation – something nature to their past leadership
experience
Of course there are more options – but in whatever path(s)
you establish, to forget about your FIBS (Former Important Big Shots as used in
my org – yes, they have ribbons) is to let go of one of your most valuable
resources. Our long standing volunteers
deserve thanks, recognition, and assistance in understanding how they can continue
to contribute and lead. That path
divination is in many ways up to us.
