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From Martin J:
Quality of Life
Recently I had the privilege of riding the England's Peak Railway. This five mile (7 km) rail line is staffed entirely by volunteers. From the volunteer CEO to the steam train drivers, ticket collectors and signalers, all give time.
To some, engaging volunteers in running a steam railway may seem frivolous. However, as the steam engine roared round the bend, volunteer driver tooting the whistle, volunteer fireman shoveling coal, you should have seen the expressions on the faces of the two young boys we had taken. It certainly added to their quality of life. (And I got to ride up front in the engine so I can vouch for my enjoyment).
More recently,
I visited the Toronto Sick Kids Hospital in Canada. The huge number of volunteers engaged there--from their innovative emergency room volunteers to story readers and supporters--are united again in one purpose: add quality of life.
The results of our Global Volunteer Management Survey showed volunteers work for an incredible range of diverse organisations. Even after years of working in this sector I was amazed at the diversity and scope of volunteering; whether a small agency with 10 volunteers or a megalith with 10,000 volunteers; whether the volunteers are planting trees, auditing the books, establishing a marketing plan or stapling papers. There were some clear trends:
· 85% of respondents said volunteers were essential · 96% indicated that volunteers in their organisations are involved in direct service delivery· The 1.5 million volunteers in the survey gave 50 hours
pa on average· 11% of volunteers were students
The survey also found that there was much diversity in how managers of volunteers are hired, positioned and paid. Salaries were lower for volunteer managers than for other paid not-for-profit roles. Resources for most volunteer programs were not sufficient to cover the services required.
This suggests a discrepancy between the rhetoric organisations make about volunteers and the real value they place on on their own program. Often that is because impact, value and satisfaction of the volunteer program have never been measured. This month we launched three new products which give organisations an accurate picture of the volunteer program. They will help organisations to be more relevant and effective.
The aim? To add to the quality of our lives. There is more information about these new packages in this newsletter and on on our website.
Feel free to ring, email or write to us for our flyer detailing these new packages. Utilise our expertise in your volunteer programs. |
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Gidday Martin!
Great to have you back for another update from People First -Total Solutions about our work in the not-for-profit sector. Welcome new and existing readers: this issue goes to 3500 people globally. Enjoy!
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Effective people: SYHID@TEOTD*
*Scratching Your Head In Disbelief
at The End Of The Day.
For almost four years, People First -Total Solutions has been researching, training and assisting organisations to better understand and work with their employees, volunteers and clients from different "generations". Some of our most requested training is in regard to the transitions required to prepare for Baby Boomers retiring and Gen Y entering the workforce.
We are monitoring developments in the "I Gen" (Generation Z) children born after 1995 into 24/7 world of mobile (cell) phones,
computers and the net. This new generation are parented by Gen X'ers (known themselves for
self-reliance) who offer a very structured childrearing experience. Although 13 years of age or younger at
the moment, some interesting data is emerging about members of this generation:
- watching TV or videos/DVDs is their most usual pastime*
- much of that TV has been "reality" TV
- reading comes second, just ahead of computer games*
- only 59 per cent took part in organised sport and just 29 per cent took part in cultural activities*
- work commitments prevented 40 per cent of parents being physically active with their children**
- 70 per cent of parents thought their child preferred TV or computers to sport/games**
- one third of parents said their children didn't like healthy foods and 25 per cent thought it didn't matter what their child ate as long as they were growing properly**
- the environment
and terrorism top these kids' concerns
- this generation will probably be the most highly educated generation ever, with high matriculation rates
- the combination of SMS and chat messaging is leading to an entirely new, abbreviated language
What sort of society will we create for these people and what sort of citizens will they be? They know about global warming, resource issues and will live with the impact of the Iraq war. How will they give to their society? How will they volunteer?
Do you have I Gen kids? What are you seeing? We would love to hear your thoughts about this generation on our I Gen Wall.
* Australian Bureau of Statistics family snapshot
** University of Otago
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Better organisations: Turbocharged volunteerism
 The People First -Total Solutions team are dedicated to building better volunteer programs and have presented well-received training in countries round the globe. We have been searching for something that would give a significant boost to volunteering and we think we have found it.
One of our clients said of the new packages we are now launching:
"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, this is exactly what we need for volunteer programs to be recognised professionally."
These three new packages (available now) are designed to give organisations an accurate assessment of
- how their volunteer program's rates against three key international standards giving practical steps to improve the culture and structure of volunteering
- the satisfaction of volunteers - this can be used to raise that and attract new volunteers
- the impact of the volunteer program on the community, clients and organisation
These packages are designed to:
1. Give an indication of the program's current state
2. Develop a clear blueprint for way forward;
3. Provide coaching to achieve a better future
4. Allow board, management, paid staff, volunteers and funders to understand program impact
5. Demonstrate the value of the volunteer program
The packages are now on sale. Information on them is available from our website. You can combine any packages and even combine them with training for a discounted rate.
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Stronger society: Global volunteer
management survey
 In late 2007/early 2008, People First -Total Solutions conducted the first ever Global Volunteer Management Survey.
851 managers of volunteers responded
to our survey from 23 countries.
Results of the survey are available here and comments on the survey can be made here. See also comments in Martin's column, at left!
There were some issues that filled us with concern:
- 42 per cent of managers of volunteers will be out of the field within five years (taking their knowledge and skills with them)
- salaries for managers of volunteers are lower than other roles in not-for-profit organisations
- there was no pattern as to how salaries were calculated
- 64 per cent said that they needed more resources to run their program
- 25 per cent stated that their Board did not understand their work and role
In our latest article in E-Volunteerism, Martin J Cowling and Andy Fryar tackle the issue of how not-for-profits are sabotaging volunteerism. By undervaluing, undersupporting and under-resourcing this part of a not-for-profit, the real power, true commitment and significant effectiveness is blunted and reduced.
For training on how to overcome that sabotage, consultancy on how to create an effective volunteer program and audits to see where you are placed, contact us.
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Company news
Boost your training with Martin J Cowling!
So far this year, Martin has presented training in five countries to great acclaim. No other expert in volunteer management will present in the USA, Uk, Canada, Australia and NZ in the one year:
- "fantastically skilled and knowledgeable"
- "engaging, energetic, knowledgeable presenter... [of] helpful information I will use in my work"
- "Your high ratings speak for themselves"
- "provided a strong base of volunteer management information that set the tone for a great conference"
Martin J is next presenting training in:
- USA/Canada: Sept/Oct 2008 & May/Jun 2009
- New Zealand: Nov 2008 & Feb 2009
- UK: Aug 2009
- Australia: Aug to Sept 2008 & Nov/Dec 2008 & Mar/Ap 2009
It is easy and economical to add a session for you in your city. Call or email us!
Kerrie Spinks on the ground running!
Kerrie,
our first contract staff member became our first full-time employee on July 15.
Kerrie's many strengths include policy development, governance and
volunteer management. Kerrie is available for training in:
- USA/Canada: Jun 2009
- New Zealand: Sep 2008
- Australia: Aug to Dec 2008 & Jan to May 2009
New Zealand Connects to People First -Total Solutions
People First -Total Solutions now has a Wellington, NZ number: 04 889 2450. It, along with our Australian, US/Canadian & UK numbers, is answered by our friendly call-centre staff 24/7.
Our Results Exceed our Goals
We have achieved our own high goals for our training in 2008. Those who organise training and engage us rated us an average at 9.6 out of 10.
For our consulting services, our clients rate us 10 out of 10 for the usefulness of our reports! We are now publishing all of our ratings and scores on our site.
Training rates now on website
This bold step (not one many consultants employ) allows clients to better plan their use of our training team. NB: we negotiate rates and that one project every month is delivered pro bono.
66 trees purchased by People First -Total Solutions
These trees remove 17.4 metric tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere and represent our commitment to offset 110 per cent of the carbon we produced last year. Combine this with our use of trains as much as possible, instead of planes or cars, and you will see how we are striving to minimise our impact on the environment.
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Your say
I read in your last newsletter how volunteering is changing and I
find that interesting. I am a worker, [I] don't need the social side of it all and like to put in a constructive day's work and that is part of my reason for volunteering.
I know that quite often [organisations] don't know what to do with their volunteers.Mary, Australia
Thanks for emailing me your newsletter. I am very happy to receive it - keep up the good work. Lyndall, Australia
Please keep me on your list to receive your People First -eNews! I get a lot of useful information and it stimulates
Fritz, USA
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