Find news you can use on a variety of topics; opportunities to raise money, changes in postage rates; statistics and facts that impact volunteer programs; and more.

~ October 2007 ~ Topics

Volunteer Management Professional Certificate
Books, Books, and More Books

Earn a professional certificate at Washington State University in its Volunteer Management Institute for managers of volunteers in Spokane, Washington, November 6-9, 2007. Designed to accommodate beginning managers, as well as those with more experience it is an in-depth look at the new forms of volunteering and how to manage the episodic and traditional volunteer. Enroll by October 9th for reduced fee. For more information visit the Web site: http://www.emmps.wsu.edu/volunteer/.

New Vitality for Volunteer Programs: New Models, New People, New Strategies
Workshop: Tuesday, November 13, 2007
9:30 - 4:00 p.m.
600 Means Street
Atlanta, GA
For registration email dayn_volmacon@belsouth.net or phone VolunteerMacon and Hands-On Macon at 478-742-6677.
Cost: $75.
Some scholarships available

It is getting harder and harder to find volunteers. What is happening? Spend the day with nationally known author and trainer Nancy Macduff as she leads us in a lively exploration of the issues facing those who manage volunteers. Explore a new model of volunteering based on how people are asking to volunteer. Review the practical strategies for recruiting and managing traditional and non-traditional forms of volunteering. Go home with practical techniques to enhance your volunteer program.

• Not able to attend a workshop in November? Professional Certificate in volunteer administration available online. Sign up any time, do assignments at your own pace, and work on project directly related to the work you do. For more information on the Washington State University Volunteer Management Certificate Program go to http://capps.wsu.edu/certificates/vmcp/default.asp.

Volunteer Today has a book store, print and electronic books, for those who manage volunteer programs. We have recently added sixteen new titles to the inventory. There are several new books on youth volunteer initiatives, a BIG book on service learning, workbooks to guide you through planning training sessions, and books on fund raising. Visit our bookstore to see these new titles. (http://shop2.pageland.com/catalog.cfm?StoreID=9)

Here are short reviews of two of the books. We will highlight more in subsequent issues of Volunteer Today.

Volunteering in a Unionized Environment by Colin Thacker

Thacker served on a task force in Canada to address issues related volunteer and staff relations in a unionized environment. He took that experience to the pages of this book, with practical tips on principles, mechanisms, and protocols supporting sound volunteer and staff relations in an organization with a union. Chapters identify the different roles of paid staff and volunteers, how to deal with the day-to-day relations, and how to keep a mind on the "big picture." There is a section with suggestions on how to resolve conflicts.

A is for Ask. . .A Fund Raising Guide by Betsy Clarke

A is for Ask. . . is a fundraising guide full of grassroots ideas to increase resources in an organization. Written by a Canadian author, the book includes information on the components of a successful fund raising campaign, how to care for donors, how to work with volunteers, and 35 fund raising ideas. A practical resource for staff and volunteers in a variety of organizations.