The Trouble with Training

Great article Erin! Your point is an excellent and important one and I think speaks to the direction we as managers/leaders of volunteers need to move in. Yes, we are still busybodies in our organizations (and I think it's important that we have a high profile and are seated around the leadership tables- where appropriate) but that doesn't mean we should be the only connection a volunteer has. Each one of us plays an important role in the experience a volunteer has in our organization(for better or for worse). Volunteers come to our organizations for a variety of reasons, but we know the main one is that they believe in the cause. They don't come because of the volunteer coordinator... they are not 'my' volunteers so why would I be the main point person for every interaction they have once they're through the door successfully? If each employee owns their role in the successful engagement of volunteers, be it training, orientation, recognition.... we start to see our organizations culture shift to the point where it's a no-brainer... each employee knows their role in ensuring volunteers understand that they are important to everyone in the organization- not just the Vol. Coord. Our volunteers... not mine. :)

Thanks, Adriane!