"Volunteer is a pay rate not a job title."

I stumbled on this great quote from Susan Ellis, of e-Volunteerism (@energizeinc), today after talking to a chapter president in New England. In that conversation she noted so many things she was managing and in that context referred to one that she wouldn't ask her volunteers to do - it wasn't in their job description. She understands that volunteer is the pay rate not a "dumping ground."

We were leading a full-day strategic planning session for a California chapter and in the midst of a making a difficult decision, the chapter president said, "well our decisions are etched in jello."  Within this statement was a wonderful bit of wisdom. Too many times chapters aren't able to take a leap of faith and try something different. The refrain "but we've always done it this  way and it works" puts up a impenetrable wall.

With one statement, this president opened a door. If the decision didn't work or they ran into trouble implementing it, they could fall back. Making the change didn't mean they were wedded to it forever.

His comment got a few chuckles and a vote to change. It's that kind of leadership that is needed in more chapters. When's the last time your chapter took the leap?

I couldn’t attend the second installment of Buzz  2010 this past Tuesday (enjoying vacation) but was delighted to see the twitter stream and the recaps from a number of great sources including Jamie Notter’s Polices are good. Relationships are better. And the kernel I picked up from Jamie is really wisdom from Wendy Harman at the American Red Cross: if one of her chapters isn't in compliance, instead of a cease and desist letter, she reaches out to the chapter and asks how she can help. She is investing in the future (building relationships) while working through a troubling situation today.

Over the past two months I have had the chance to spend time with nearly 1000 volunteer leaders and many chapter executives from a wide spectrum of associations – promotional product professionals, family physicians, diabetes educators, case managers, subcontractors, principals, event professionals, public relations professionals… . I am awed by the dedication they show and the enthusiasm they share. And I am troubled by the fact that one recurring bit of angst comes up over and over: we can’t get enough volunteers.

Here are excited, dedicated members saying one of their toughest problems is getting more of them. I think it’s a lot like the conversation I hear when I’m talking with other parents. We just can’t get our kids to be more like us.

To active association volunteers, volunteering is networking.

Ever notice how the first reason an active member gives as why you should join is the networking and then they define it in terms of the latest project they worked on.

As the snow melts (slowly!), you might expect the conference memories too as well. At least that's what usually happens about 2 weeks after you've returned from a conference. Not so with #UnTech10. We're still living the spirit. Afterall my CafePress tee just arrived!

You can read about the technology unconference from more than a dozen angles here (thanks to Maddie Grant's aggregating) which also includes my posts. And you can order your very own shirt at CafePress.

So why did this conference last longer in my mind? Was it because of the content? I mean lots of conferences have great content. Was it the speakers? Lots of conferences have top-notch speakers. Was it the handouts? Ditto above. Yes all play a factor, but here are the three reasons that really make the difference ...

The reluctant volunteer just wants to know it's short-term.

My non-volunteering husband just said yes to the March of Dimes. They asked could he  send letters to peopel in his neighborhood. They'd send a kit. That's it. He said yes.

People volunteer to be part of something larger without being larger than life in that project.

Glenn Yonemitsu, chair of the Canadian Association of Management Consultants, a volunteer for the Olympics shares his journey and the excitement of seeing one of his members carrying the torch. 

Of all the responses I received to my request for help in setting an agenda for 2010, the one that gave me most pause was from Jeff De Cagna (like I was surprised?):

In 2010, association leaders need to ask a fundamental question: how can we make everything we do more social?  This question is not primarily a technological consideration, but a strategic and human one.  The challenge is to look beyond the tools at the diverse relationships they enable and the deeper meaning they nurture.

I crowdsourced my 2010 action list and received a great reply from colleagues. The ideas included “quick actions” which I shared in my first post, tips for listening, several thoughts on integrating social media (which will come in future posts) and this checklist for building relationships from David Nour, author, speaker and consultant.