Category: Volunteer Culture

Sometimes a volunteer needs a break. In a previous post, I shared five ways to care for a tired team member. And I still stand by what I said from that previous post: “If...

“Do you have a minute?” It’s a question that strikes fear in the heart of many a leader. Rarely does that question lead to “…I have an extra bag of Dove dark chocolates, and...

A few weeks ago, one of our longest-tenured Guest Services volunteers retired. Hung up his parking vest. Turned in his walkie-talkie. And stepped away from a ministry he’s loved and thrived in for well...

We just kicked off our eighth iteration of the High-Capacity Volunteer (HCV) Cohort: a collaboration of great leaders from around the Summit who have committed to spend the next eight months in a deep...

Not long ago I helped lead a large event that required several dozen volunteers. Many of us met for the first time on the day of the event, so our communication took place via...

Change is inevitable. Eventually, your systems and strategies and specific areas of focus are going to get adjusted…maybe overhauled…perhaps stripped down to the foundation and rebuilt from the ground up. And when that happens,...

“I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do next.” “Is there anything else you need from me?” “What are you asking of me, exactly?” “Just tell me what to do.” I’ve had a long-running battle over the issue of job descriptions for volunteers. Early in my time here at the Summit, I was the job description ninja. Every team and...

What happens when your team changes horses mid-stream? What do you do when your original job description gets dismantled? How do you maneuver the challenges of an ever-changing organization?   There are times that...

Recently my family and I stayed at Home2 Suites in Opelika, Alabama. One morning of our stay, I spent some time in the hotel lobby (hello, continental breakfast!) as the rest of my crew...