Last updated on Jul 2, 2024

Your volunteers are at odds over the community event's direction. How can you help them find common ground?

Organizing a community event can be as challenging as it is rewarding, especially when your team of volunteers has differing opinions on the event's direction. It's not uncommon for passionate individuals to have unique visions, but as a community organizer, your task is to steer these energies towards a unified goal. The key is to find common ground that respects everyone's input while advancing the collective mission of the event. This article will guide you through practical steps to navigate these differences and foster a collaborative environment.

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1 Listen Actively

Active listening is the cornerstone of resolving conflicts within your volunteer team. This means giving undivided attention to each person's concerns and suggestions without immediately judging or dismissing them. By truly understanding where each volunteer is coming from, you can identify the underlying values and goals that may actually align. Recognize the emotions behind their words, acknowledge their contributions, and reassure them that their involvement is crucial to the event's success. This approach will not only help in finding a compromise but also strengthen the team's bond.

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Kiros Tekeste

Regional Management Lead @10Billion Strong Ethiopia Educational Program Manager @Youth Climate Connect Environmental Health Officer
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Listening Actively have very interesting for good result task and oriented activity si in Voluntary programs listening every tasks and their impact have positive and task full.

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2 Identify Goals

Once you've listened to your volunteers, the next step is to collectively identify the core goals of the event. Encourage your team to articulate what they hope to achieve and why it matters to them and the community. This process allows everyone to see the bigger picture and understand how their individual aspirations fit into it. It's important to emphasize shared objectives and remind your volunteers that despite differing approaches, they all ultimately want the event to succeed and benefit the community.

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Edison McDonald

Executive Director at The Arc of Nebraska| Author | Director of Government Relations at GC ReVolt| Future of Disability Services | Community & Social Impact | Lobbyist| Speaker | Board Member
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Always center back to shared values. It's easy to get into disagreements over how the details of an event may go, but if you can remind them of that shared cause, you can bring people back together.

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3 Embrace Diversity

Diversity in ideas and perspectives is a strength that can lead to a more dynamic and inclusive community event. Encourage your volunteers to view their differences as assets rather than obstacles. Facilitate a dialogue where everyone can express their views openly, and look for ways to incorporate a range of ideas into the event's planning. By valuing each volunteer's unique contribution, you can create a richer, more varied experience for participants and foster a sense of ownership and pride among your team.

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4 Compromise Effectively

Finding common ground often involves compromise. Guide your volunteers through a negotiation process where each person can speak about their non-negotiables and what they are willing to adjust. Prioritize the event's overall success over individual preferences, and seek solutions that incorporate elements from various suggestions. It's critical to maintain a fair and balanced approach, ensuring that no one feels their voice is being overshadowed or ignored.

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5 Develop a Plan

With a clearer understanding of shared goals and a willingness to compromise, it's time to develop a cohesive plan for the event. This plan should reflect the consensus reached by your volunteers and outline specific roles, responsibilities, and timelines. Ensure that every volunteer has a clear understanding of how their efforts contribute to the larger vision. A well-structured plan can turn potential discord into coordinated action, keeping everyone focused on the collective endeavor.

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6 Maintain Communication

Effective communication is essential in keeping your volunteers aligned and motivated. Establish regular check-ins and updates to ensure everyone remains on the same page and any emerging issues are addressed promptly. Encourage ongoing dialogue and feedback, creating an environment where volunteers feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas as the event progresses. By maintaining open lines of communication, you can reinforce unity and collaboration throughout the planning process and beyond.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Your volunteers are at odds over the community event's direction. How can you help them find common ground?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Listen Actively

2 Identify Goals

3 Embrace Diversity

4 Compromise Effectively

5 Develop a Plan

6 Maintain Communication

7 Here’s what else to consider

Community Organizing

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Your volunteers are at odds over the community event's direction. How can you help them find common ground?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Listen Actively

2 Identify Goals

3 Embrace Diversity

4 Compromise Effectively

5 Develop a Plan

6 Maintain Communication

7 Here’s what else to consider

Community Organizing

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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