Hot
Topic Archive
January
2007
Bug or Butterfly?
By OzVPM Director Andy
Fryar
Have
you ever considered the lifecycle of the average volunteer
program manager?
We
tend to run through a busy lifecycle that includes
the planning and preparation for each new volunteer
intake, the facilitation of information sessions and
publicity, conducting the seemingly 'never ending'
process of interviews, running orientation days, educating
at training sessions and performing on-going volunteer
evaluations.
To
further complete the cycle, we have to attend an ever
increasing number of meetings, complete a growing
pile of reports, and operate highly effective volunteer
week and end-of-year volunteer recognition functions
- while all the time wearing a smile on our face!
It's
little wonder we are exhausted when the last of our
volunteers leave for their annual vacation!
Thoughts
of CS Lewis' 'Narnia' come readily to mind - where
it was 'always winter .but never Christmas' , and
I wonder how many of us ever take the opportunity
to step back, evaluate our progress and celebrate
our achievements?
Sadly
the effects of this 'lifecycle' can be seen and measured
by the high turnover rate of those in our profession,
and by the many others who through burn-out, simply
no longer have the time or inclination to get involved
in opportunities for professional development or networking.
If
we were to compare ourselves to butterflies, I wonder
how many of us ever have the opportunity to move beyond
the 'bug' stages of being either a caterpillar or
withdrawing into our cocoons?
How
many of us ever show our true colours and potential
by becoming a butterfly and soaring high - even if
only occasionally and for short periods of time?
The
beginning of any year offers the ideal opportunity
to make this happen and to create some resolutions
of change:
. To
make the new year a time when personal as well as
organisational goals can be set and achieved
. To
resolve to put some time aside for you in the midst
of a busy schedule. Take up a hobby, read a book,
or dare I say it - go do some volunteer work for another
agency!
. To
commit to joining a newsgroup (or posting more regularly
if you are already a member) , attending a conference
or to reading that pile of year old journals in the
corner of your office
. To
read two new books on the topic of volunteerism
. To
link with a colleague doing similar work either in
your home country or overseas, to compare notes on
the work you do, to exchange ideas and to offer mutual
peer support to one another
. To
pencil into your diary regular 'time out' periods
in which to have lunch with a work colleague or even
one or two of your program's volunteers once a week,
fortnight or month
. To
play more and worry less
. To
spend more time with your family and less time at
the office.
. To
deliberately change your work patterns. Maybe ask
your boss about working from home a day a week.
. To
delegate more
. To
be an advocate for 'volunteerism' by writing letters
to the editor on issues you believe are misrepresented
in the media
. Make
a commitment to attend your local volunteer managers
network group or join a committee on a topic which
interests you, perhaps through your local volunteer
centre
Planning
personal as well as organisational objectives not
only allows for much needed respite throughout the
year, but has the added benefit of helping you to
keep 'fresh' while retaining your sanity at the same
time!
So
what's stopping you?
Do
it now!
Pick
up that diary before it gets too full, and start to
schedule some time for you !
Plan
to be a butterfly for at least a little time this
year - I guarantee that you will appreciate it, and
better still others will take notice.
Now
why not start by responding to this hot topic and
sharing at least one goal that you pledge to achieve
in 2007!
This
month's Hot Topic is an adaptation of an article Andy
Fryar originally wrote for Charity Channel's 'Volunteer
Management Review' that was first published in January
2003
It's
not too late to...
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to this month's Hot Topic
(Be
sure to add your name, title and organisation to your
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send your reply to response@ozvpm.com
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contents of this Hot Topic are copyright © 2003
- 06 OzVPM.
You may reproduce this Hot Topic in part or in full
on the condition that the author, source and website
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