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~February 2010~
WHERE HAVE ALL THE MEN GONE?
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23% of the volunteers in the USA in 2008 were men
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Mothers who worked outside the home had the highest rates of volunteering in the US
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New York Cares has 43,000 volunteers. 70% are female.
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The Hands-On Network with 250 affiliates in the US report a 60-40 split between female and male volunteers.
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Predictions are that the longer the recession, the more likely a decline in male volunteers
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At Big Brothers Big Sisters of America 70% of the requests for mentors come from young boys; only 37 of 100 inquiries about volunteering come from men
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More than half the boys served by Big Brother Big Sisters are African-American, but only 15% of male volunteers are black.
In many areas, a male volunteer is a rarity. A recent article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy (Oct.1, 2009) tackled this problem and made these observations.
- It is easier to get men involved in garden clean up, one-shot, or hands-on tasks.
- Getting men involved in social or educational programming is a persistent problem
- Getting Hispanic and African American men involved in volunteering is a pressing issue
- Some men do not see volunteering as something “manly.” The social role of nurturing belongs to women
- Men as volunteers are reactive—serving when there is a crisis; while women tend to be proactive
- Traditional gender roles related to volunteering need to be challenged
- The Millennial generation seem more service oriented and males are more comfortable volunteering. It is a part of their life, not a separate component.
- Men sharing childcare is blending gender roles. This is making men more comfortable in a volunteering role
VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT
and
VOLUNTEER SUPERVISION AND DELEGATION
TWO ONLINE COURSES FOR MANAGERS OF VOLUNTEERS
Recruiting and Supervision and Delegation of Volunteers: Online Training Courses
Portland State University
Department of Extended Studies
Two courses that lead to certification in volunteer administration are being offered online beginning March 29, 2010. The Volunteer Engagement and Leadership Program’s first course, Volunteer Recruitment, an eight week 2 credit courseand Volunteer Supervision and Management, a four week, 1 credit course, will be offered through an online program held in conjunction with the School of Public Administration’s Institute for Nonprofit Studies and the Department of Extended Studies.
The recruitment class tackles such issues as the rise of short term volunteering, the impact of age cohorts on volunteering patterns, creating a recruitment plan, utilizing market research for effect recruiting strategies, and engaging a volunteer recruitment team. The Supervision and Management course takes the learner through the essential elements of organizing, supervising, and delegating the work of volunteers. Assignments are interactive and designed to build skills directly applicable to a manager of volunteers program. Some assignments can be used immediately.
For more information on the program visit: http://distancedegree.pdx.edu//programs/v_engagement.php
AL!VE SEEKS MEMBERS
The Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE) is a national organization that supports and advocates for professionals in the field of volunteer management. Membership is diverse cross section of professionals who are managers, directors, trainers, and consultants committed to the engagement of volunteers.
You can learn more about AL!VE at their Web site. www.volunteeralive.org There is information on the board of directors, resources, newsletter, and committees. It is now possible to join the organization online as it moves forward in its development.
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The Futurist November-December 2010
Trend tracking is essential to volunteer administration. 15 years ago episodic volunteering had no name; little information on managing the short-term volunteer ; and no statistics on hours of service. A few volunteer administrators started planning for this type of volunteering. Their programs benefited by being on top of this trend.
This is trend tracking. Watching what futurists say, monitoring trends in corporate employment and government to predict how volunteerism will respond. Here are the trends for the future suggested by the World Futurist Society. Some trends impact common things in volunteering others are related to how the workplace of the future might operate.
- Suburbs have absorbed increasing numbers of poor people since 1990. Hence the continuing economic downturn might pressure suburban governments who have reduced and eliminated services.
- Future cities could be carless. Singapore mandates cars carry electronic sensors and charges them every time the person enters the city.
- People will improve mental health through video games. Already in existence are online games that help the brain form more positive patterns of thought. Games are based on neuroscience.
- Mobile phone saturation will be 75% in 2011. It is projected to replace the office or home computer as the primary device for getting real time information.
- The number of US jobs filled by telecommuters is likely to group fourfold to 19 million by 2012. (Virtual volunteers anyone?!)
- Young people will read more and the old will play more video games
- 2/3rd’s of US households will own cars in the decades ahead. It is currently 7/8ths.
- Population boom of the future? Centenarians.
- The global economy is dependent on technology workers, with skills in science, technology, engineering, or mathematically based. To produce these workers education systems need to be improved.
- US senior citizens are postponing retirement. Not enough money to retire.
- Terrorism can be thwarted with rehab. Rehab programs for terrorists exist from Saudi Arabia to Singapore.
- China will become the world’s largest economy, based on GDP, by 2025
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Legal and Financial Issues of the Non-Profit Board
Do you know how to conduct a legal and financial assessment of tasks for your non-profit board and staff? The roles and responsibilities of a non-profit’s staff and volunteers concerning legal and financial issues will be clarified. An attorney will be available to answer questions on specific areas of interest regarding non-profits.
Instructor: Nancy Macduff
Day/Time: Friday, 8:30 AM-12:30 PM
Dates: Friday, 2/5/2010
Fee: $79.00
Managing Change for Non-Profit Boards
The non-profit board copes with change each year, and it is necessary to learn how to manage the change without losing members or funders. Discuss how change impacts individuals in the organization and leave with a strategy to organize smooth transitions
Instructor: Nancy Macduff
Day/Time: Friday, 8:30 AM-12:30 PM
Dates: Friday,2/19/2010
Fee: $79.00
For information contact: Nancy Kress at nancy.kress@wwcc.edu or call 509.527.4561
To register:
http://www.campusce.net/WWCC/category/category.aspx?S=3
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