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Dear Connie:
It has been the practice at the history museum where I am volunteer
coordinator to use volunteers to staff a coat checkroom for special
evening functions for which the facility was rented. The tips
for the coat check are then used to fund volunteer field trips.
I wonder what you think of this. Thanks!
C.
Dear C:
On its face, your question seems fine to me. But, I'm guessing
there must be some problem with it or you wouldn't have asked
me, right? Does this money need to be "credited" against
the costs of the event instead? If so, then do that but continue
to have the field trips sponsored by your organization so that
volunteers don't lose one of your benefits of volunteering. Do
volunteers want to use the money in some other way instead of
field trips? If so, then poll volunteers to find out how best
the money could be utilized. As you see, I'm reading between the
lines. So, if there's more to your question, then let me know.
Dear Connie:
Could you direct me to sources of information concerning the mentoring
of voluntary community leaders? By Community Leaders I mean those
leaders in the community that are in non-paid voluntary roles
(neighborhood issue groups, charity boards, etc.). By informal
mentoring, I mean those relationships that are outside of any
formal organization's programs that brings two people together
primarily for the general education of the lesser killed/knowledgeable
person (my specific interest is a focus on leadership skills and
abilities). The mentor uses a number of roles depending upon the
needs of the mentee, including tutoring, coaching, sponsoring,
etc. I would appreciate any observations, referrals or other information
that you could offer. Thank you!
Carl in Seattle
Dear Carl:
While I don't know of a FORMAL leadership mentoring program that
is national in scope, the National Center for Nonprofit Boards
in Washington, DC, and the Compass Point Nonprofit Services in
San Francisco are two of the best resources you'll find for leadership
training, mentoring, information, etc. Their respective Web sites
are http://www.ncnb.org and http://www.compasspoint.org. They
both offer books, publications, workshops, newsletters, consultants,
and programs on nonprofit leadership.
Dear Connie:
Do you know the theme for the National Volunteer appreciation
for 2001? I am starting my planning and scheduling the entertainment
that I might need. Thank for you attention to this matter.
Nylda
Dear Nylda:
The theme for 2001 National Volunteer Week (April 22-28) is "Change
the World -- Volunteer!" This theme coincides with the theme
for the 2001 International Year of the Volunteer. To receive a
free promotional kit for National Volunteer Week, visit the Points
of Light Foundation's Web site at http://www.pointsoflight.org.
Click on "Programs and Initiatives" and then on "National
Volunteer Week." The promotional kit contains press releases,
activities, sources of recognition gifts, and more. For more information
on International Year of the Volunteer, visit http://www.iyv2001.org.
Dear Connie:
We are a non-profit that provides outpatient counseling for adults.
We are in the process of instituting criminal background checks
on all volunteer therapists as part of a grant requirement. I
am looking for information and examples of policies, forms, procedures,
etc. Can you point me in any direction? I am currently trying
to get the same from agencies in our area. Thanks.
Judy
Dear Judy:
First, check with your local law enforcement authorities and ask
for guidance on volunteer screening. Most states and municipalities
have some guidelines and can offer forms, information, advice,
etc.
Next, check out these Web sites for information and guidance:
http://www.cybervpm.com -- Click on "The Basics for Volunteer Programs" and then on "The Sections" and then on "Screening Volunteers." You'll find an excerpt from Linda Graff's book "Beyond Police Checks" and information on how to order the book. Also, there are links on this page to application forms from other organizations.
http://www.energizeinc.com -- At the top of the home page, click on "Library." Then scroll down the library page to the "Risk and Liability" section and click on "Step 2: Screening". This is an excerpt from the book "No Surprises: Controlling Risks in Volunteer Programs." You can also order this book from this page.