Where there is a vacuum of leadership there is an opportunity for dissenting voice. You see this quite often in politics. You don’t expect this in Volunteer Management.
Volunteer Management is not political nor does it conjure up ideas of dissent or disagreement. After all, the definitions and theories behind volunteerism are seen to be well and adequately defined by those who believe they have the moral right to say what is and what isn’t in the field of volunteerism.
Pity that!
In the Volunteer Management sector, things just seem to roll on. A few localized and encouraging waves towards the true advancement and professionalization of the sector wiped out by the tsunami of indifference by a sector that struggles to find its political voice and fundamental raison d’être.
To those who are perplexed by my talk of politics, dissent and such matters then you have obviously not been a follower of this blog and the message I seek to propagate.
But seeds of hope have been set.
More blogs have been born since I started blogging.
More voices are finding confidence.
There is more challenge to the status quo. Although it may look small to you right now, remember it is enormous compared to what came before – little or nothing!
There is such a long way to go.
Over 35,000 pages on this blog have been read in just a short 15 months.
The top 10 read posts suggest we seek a sense of humour as well as leadership in Volunteer Management. On top of that we really desire more knowledge on managing change and want to articulate great speeches that recognise volunteers! We also are curious on what is holding us back as a sector and the perception of volunteering and our role in maintaining or changing that.
200 posts.
Thanks for reading and have a say!
I'm new to your blog and discovered it researching Volunteer Management for a position for which I'm applying. I served over 17 years in the US Air Force as a member of the "All Volunteer Force." None of my peers I served with was conscripted although some senior leaders were "acquired" during the Viet Nam conflict era. I always saw myself as a volunteer--despite having a pay check automatically deposited twice a month--and I viewed my people as volunteers as well. We were on call 24/7/365. And sometimes we got the day off. We were there, potentially putting our lives on the line, in a volunteer capacity. This shapes my understanding of volunteer management/leadership today.
ReplyDeleteI already appreciate the need for real leadership skills in a volunteer manager so it is good to see you espouse the notion. (I make the distinction one LEADS people, one MANAGES things.)
Since retiring form military service, I have had the great fortune of volunteering with one of the best run operations in our area if not the state or country, namely the Victim Services Division of the Pima County (AZ) Attorney's Office. We are about 150 strong and provide crisis intervention services 24/7/365. Approximately another 25 people are in paid positions to follow through with victims in the legal processes. The county has a total area of 9,188.83 square miles (23,799.0 km2).
My new role (should I be accepted) will be to lead a team of volunteer managers throughout the community. Wish me luck!
Hi BabsinAZ
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking the time to reply.It was such an interesting read and good luck with your leadership role!