Sometime ago, I wrote an article titled What Does Your First Date With A Volunteer Look Like?  where I shared the parallels between the interview process for volunteering and a first date:

• Both parties come together with lots of expectations
• Those expectations often aren’t expressed up front (or not until it’s too late!) and;
• Communication is key!

Well, if the interview is the first date, then a high quality volunteer training program can be the foundation for a Beautiful Relationship.  I was reminded of this last week when I participated in a two day training session for a local organization I’ll be volunteering for. By way of background, I’ll also share that before I was offered the role, I went to an introductory session at the organization’s office followed by an in-depth interview.  That “getting to know you” phase should be taken very seriously as well - and with this organization it was.

But back to the training.  Prior to the training sessions, I completed a series of online modules that prepared me for the two days of on-site work.   The training itself was conducted by an outside facilitator, utilized multiple learning styles i.e. group project, individual opportunities and truly encouraged our learning experience as a team.  I found it to be one of the most comprehensive training programs I’d come across in nearly two decades of work in this field. 

My intention wasn’t to do a rave on this terrific organization - I’ll save that for another occasion.  Rather, I wanted to share 8 best practices they demonstrated I’m confident any organization, regardless of mission and funding, can follow when it comes to their volunteer training:

1. Positioned as Mandatory: The training was positioned as mandatory and essential to your success. You couldn’t move forward without having completed the program.
2. Firm but Flexible Structure:  There were ample time and location options to complete your two days.  But they had to be done in succession and in proximity to each other.
3. Organizational Engagement:  Throughout the training, we had opportunities to meet and interact with staff, from field staff to senior management.  
4. Interactive with use of Multiple Learning Styles:  As noted, the training utilized online, team and other creative learning opportunities.  
5. Reflective:  There were several sessions focused on situations where there’s a need to separate individual values from adherence to the organization’s mission.
6. Team Building:  The training connected participants with each other and helped us each build a network of support as we step into our roles.  
7. Mentorship:  Each of us were assigned a mentor, met them during the training and scheduled a meeting prior to moving into the work 
8. Acknowledgement:  While it’s not why you volunteer, it’s always nice to hear.  We were thanked throughout the sessions by the facilitator and staff.

​Do you have more to add to this last?  Please share away...

I’m excited to introduce Nonprofit Now!, my nonprofit consulting and coaching practice.  I’ll be helping social entrepreneurs through the process of registering as a nonprofit and partnering with existing charities to grow their fundraising operations, launch new campaigns and build their board of directors.  I’m also eager to coach their leadership toward being the most impactful leaders they can be. I’m focusing on these areas as they’re where I’ve had the most success and enjoyment in my 18 years of work in the nonprofit sector.    Please visit my website www.yournonprofitnow.com to learn more about the services I’ll be offering and my work and experiences.    

Now that the pitch is out of the way, I want to talk about 2018 and the impact it had on me personally and professionally - they are inevitably intertwined.   I’m grateful for everything that happened and confident they combined to lead me to the work I was meant to do. 

Last year started off with a tough challenge, particularly around family.  My mom experienced a rapid decline in her health. While I’m grateful she's getting the care she needs, the change in her life and her being is something I couldn’t have imagined.  It was a reminder of how fragile life is and the importance of living life to the fullest while you can. 

The year end brought similar revelations - but they were closer to home.  In late November I was about to have a procedure called an ablation to alleviate ventricular tachycardia (or vt, a rapid heart beat).  My cardiologist had seen several instances of vt related to the post-effects of childhood open heart surgery. While waiting for this procedure to start, the doctors noticed my very low heartbeat.  They suggested a combination pacemaker and defibrillator immediately. I’m grateful that after about five weeks, I’m back to running, light cycling and swimming is on deck in a week or so. This is the second time in three years, that a “happy accident” as my friend Bob Ross calls them, may have saved my life.

Professionally, this was also a challenging year. I continued to serve as ED for a high quality international service learning organization. At the same time, I struggled with my longing to contribute to a wider range of organizations.  I was also eager to coach others, particularly those in the nonprofit sector, something I’d been doing informally. Over the past four years, I’d been on the cusp of taking the plunge into full-time consulting and coaching but various circumstances got in the way.   With my newfound appreciation for making the most of life, I’ve decided to finally and fully go for it! I am now proud to be an independent consultant and coach - and a business owner.
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This is the first chapter of the Nonprofit Now! story.  I look forward to continuing this story with a growing cast of characters, successes, and challenges.  Most important, I’m excited to have the opportunity to help fantastic nonprofit organizations maximize their impact, achieve their missions and ultimately do the most good.  Please sign up to receive my posts and come to the site often as I look forward to building a community of nonprofit leaders and learners by sharing your ideas as well (Ok, a little more pitch).  See you again soon...