Human resources

Are you thinking about working with communications volunteers? Do you have people in your network with specific communications skills to offer? A few years ago, I urged readers of this blog to think beyond the “communications committee”. I provided 14 different skills-based communications roles to consider (with some suggestions about exactly how these roles might… Read More »

As I was interviewing for my current job, an interviewer asked what I would miss about my old position. “My team,” I said. “I wish I could bring them all with me.” The team I worked with at the time was amazing—committed, passionate, funny, diligent, harmonious—each person lending her strengths to serve our mission through… Read More »

Volunteers are golden. They bring fresh energy and outside-the-box ideas. A communications volunteer will recognize immediately when I’m writing in acronyms or preaching to the choir. Volunteers keep me sharp, too, by recommending audiences or tools or strategies I may never have considered. Not sure if working with communications volunteers is right for you? Or… Read More »

Much has been written about how Millenials approach work differently than previous generations. Often they are labeled as a group that “work to live” rather than “live to work” but this generalization is too simplistic. According to Deloitte’s third annual Millennial Survey, this new generation of workers value their careers and want a workplace environment… Read More »

Megan Storey has been working in communications since 2005, but her work as a communications volunteer started two years ago. By day, Megan is currently the Senior Communications Manager for Health Education England. And outside of work hours, Megan is the Communications Specialist for Raise the Roof Kenya: an organization that builds sustainable futures for… Read More »

We hear it often in the nonprofit sector, but volunteers truly are the lifeblood of an organization. From their support with administrative tasks to fundraising events to service delivery, they undertake various duties, all equally important. Senior-level volunteers, however, are often the driving force behind a nonprofit’s success. Many leadership volunteers play an important role… Read More »

In her recent blog post, Marlene Oliveira gave us an overview of some of the ways volunteers can be engaged in communications roles. She has provided a solid foundation from which to build and I encourage you to read the post if you haven’t already. Knowing the roles we want volunteers to play in helping… Read More »

Do you involve volunteers in the delivery and development of your communications? Are you thinking beyond the communications committee? You need help getting the work done, so wouldn’t it be lovely to tap into a pool of folks who have the skills that you need? According to Volunteer Canada, more and more people wish to… Read More »

Faced with limited resources, do you amplify your nonprofit’s communications capacity by working with communications volunteers? As the communications landscape continues to change and evolve, the volume of our output grows and grows. But these challenges also bring about new opportunities and the potential for all kinds of meaningful new roles for communications volunteers.  … Read More »

Even with all of the significant accomplishments by nonprofits in the social media space, many organizations don’t feel it’s necessary to have an in-house social media professional. Sometimes it’s an issue of budget, other times it’s the misconception that a specialist won’t add value to an organization’s marketing and communication strategies. But the competition for… Read More »