The Art of Persuasion

Those who work with volunteers; executive directors, volunteer managers, program staff are using persuasion on a daily basis. It is capturing an individual or group and converting them to take action or to a way of thinking. Some people possess this skill naturally. For most of us it is something to be developed. Here are the elements that make up that powerful motivator-persuasion.

The persuader:

• Models the behavior they hope to receive.
• Highlights unique benefits.
• Asks for commitments to be made in a public manner.
• Is quick to tell about others who are doing the same thing or thinking the same way.
• Exhibits their expertise on the topic, never assuming people know about it.
• Identifies similarities with those they are trying convince.

In the aftermath of 9/11, two US senators are leading an effort to dramatically expand volunteer opportunities for everyone from high school graduates to senior citizens. The Call to Service Act of 2001 is co-sponsored by Senators John McCain and Evan Bayh.

The proposed legislation would increase the number of Americorps positions, loosen the eligibility for seniors to volunteer through such programs as Senior Grandparents, RSVP, and Foster Grandparents. Currently Americorps has room for 50,000 enrollees each year. The new legislation would increase that to 250,000 by 2010. It would also link the Corporation for National Service to the new Office of Homeland Defense, charging the corporation to find ways to promote national security through all its programs.

A companion bill is being proposed in the House of Representatives. The official endorsements of these efforts moves beyond the federal government and is expected to be passed in some form.

Congress is moving ahead on another volunteerism front. September 15 ­ 21, 2002 has been designated National Civic Participation Week. The week is designed to celebrate civic participation throughout the US, honor the courageous spirit of Americans, and honor those lost on 9/11. Participate America is leading the national coordination for this effort. The organization will provide a virtual headquarters for the initiative, providing tools to organize local events, resources and materials to learn about how to become involved, and information on traditional grass roots activities.

Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) sponsored the bill creating this celebratory week prior to 9/11. The fall tragedies moved passage of the bill more quickly, with more sponsors. For more information: http://www.participateamerica.org/partamer/index.html.

CYBERVPM, the best know and groundbreaking online discussion site for volunteer manages is moving on. Beginning in the summer 2002 this award-winning site will be moving into new hands. Its owner, Nan Hawthorne, is refocusing her career and will be passing some of CyberVPM.com's features to other capable hands. Some of the elements of this site have moved already. For more information you can visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cybervpm/.

Here is a list of the changes and the links to new locations:

• Fresh Ideas Delivered to your Mailbox/CyberVPM.com Update

This weekly e-newsletter has been reborn as VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT REVIEW and is likewise free. Subscribe at http://CharityChannel.com/newsletters/.

• CyberVPM.com web site articles and links

The CyberVPM.com web site, the oldest site entirely devoted to volunteer resource management, has been shut down, but its many articles on volunteer resource management have been or soon will be available in the archives of VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT REVIEW at http://CharityChannel.com/newsletters/

• Sample Volunteer Program Procedure Manual

This free sample manual is available by sending an email to: vpmanual@fastfacts.net

• You can keep up-to-date on CyberVPM.com at http://www.cybervpm.com
• For those of you who know Nan Hawthorne, you can find her current work at VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT REVIEW and other forums and publications at CharityChannel http://CharityChannel.com/ and eSight Careers Network at http://www.eSightCareers.net. She continues to maintain the GOV-VPM resources at the Points of Light Foundation at: http://www.pointsoflight.org/government/government.html.

Hawthorne enjoys new ventures that allow her to devote herself entirely to her first calling, writing. You can reach her at hawthorne@nanhawthorne.com.

AND you can still find Hawthorne's very popular training kits right here at the VOLUNTEER TODAY BOOKSTORE!

The Points of Light Foundation has forms available to nominate volunteers and volunteer organizations for the Daily Points of Light Award. It is designed recognize individuals and groups that demonstrate unique and innovative approaches to community volunteering and citizen action, with a strong emphasis on service focused on the goals for children and young people set by the Presidents Summit for American's Future.

The award is given five days a week, excluding holidays. If you would like nomination forms, contact Crystal Hill at 202-729-8000.

By calling 1-800-VOLUNTEER in the U.S., individuals can be connected to their local volunteer center. This is a national interactive call routing system designed to get volunteers connected to people who can help them volunteer.