ISACA Victoria Chapter’s Post

Here's #4 in our Fast Five Ways to Recognize Volunteers: Use a Loaded Appreciation Statement It tends to have less effect after you hear a generic 'thanks' or 'we appreciate you' often. A loaded appreciation statement doesn’t lose its effect because it lets volunteers know their efforts are seen and helps remind them how their work helps move the mission forward. The format is simple: Thank you for [insert what they did/do] it [what/who does it help and why/how]. Because of you, we [insert the impact on the organization/program/community]. SAMPLES Thank you for putting together all the new client packets. It gives me an extra hour a week to work directly with clients, and because of you, we can often provide 8 additional client sessions.   Thank you for leading our effort to establish our Annual Marketing and Communications Plan. This plan will help us stay on topic throughout the year and meet our engagement goals. Your skilled support will also help us better engage with our donors throughout the year to make the campaign season more successful. Pro Tip: Challenge yourself to use one Loaded Appreciation Statement for every five times you thank volunteers until it becomes comfortable and is second nature. This will help volunteers know they are seen and confirm they make a difference. Bonus: staff and volunteers get reminded of the mission impact that volunteers and the roles they fill have. Take it Beyond the Volunteer Engagement Professionals: Use loaded appreciation statements when recognizing staff and lead volunteers for engaging volunteers in their work. Help the organization, program leaders, and volunteer supervisors/collaborators consider what some Loaded Appreciation Statements could be. Learn more here! https://ow.ly/K4vf50RlxUP #gvm #globalvolunteermonth #serviceenterprise

What does successful volunteer management look like? This article by Trust Advice Ltd looks at principles to help you support, retain and recognise your volunteers. ▶ Shared vision and values ▶ Living your values ▶ Empowering volunteers ▶ Supervise well ▶ Engagement – emails, newsletters and social media ▶ Keeping your volunteers ▶ Paperwork https://lnkd.in/eaMFZCGQ

Recently teamed up with Classy on a blog post discussing the importance of data privacy for nonprofits! Dive into the insights and best practices we've highlighted to ensure your organization remains compliant and trusted. With ever-changing regulations and the looming "cookie-pocalypse" 🍪 nonprofits must safeguard donor data proactively. 👉 Check it out: https://lnkd.in/e9Z3KvjE #dataprivacy #digitalmarketing #nonprofit #WholeWhale #Classy

How to engage with Gen Z volunteers? Tapping into the potential of Gen Z is vital for the continued success of your volunteering program. This Rosterfy event aims to delve into the unique expectations, motivations, and characteristics of younger volunteers. It will equip attendees with the knowledge and tools to successfully engage with Gen-Z volunteers and create impact initiatives. https://lnkd.in/ey46nmEw

Attention Nonprofits! 📢 Big changes are coming to email. Gmail and Yahoo are implementing new requirements in February 2024 to combat spam and protect users from unwanted emails. This will impact large senders, including nonprofit organizations relying on email communication for fundraising and outreach. To help you navigate these changes, we've created a 4-step checklist: 1️⃣ Authenticate Your Emails. 2️⃣ Reduce Spam Complaints. 3️⃣ Enable Easy Unsubscription. 4️⃣ Select a Reputable Email Delivery System. Reach out to us for support! Debbie Young and Dani Hart are here to help you on your deliverability journey. 😊 For more details and resources, read our latest blog post: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eXNi3XrE Let's adapt to these changes together and ensure successful email delivery for your nonprofit organization! 💪 #nonprofitmarketing #digitalfundraising #fundraisingstragey

Time and time again I see organisations claim their volunteers are either too busy or too jaded to give meaningful answers to surveys and evaluations. Often the surveys and evaluations that are sent are either overly complex, not linked to any real outcomes, or the questions are clearly worded to drive certain narratives. It's no wonder these types of campaigns get very little engagement from their intended audience. Volunteers play a vital role in driving positive change. when decisions are made without consulting volunteers, it risks undermining the spirit of collaboration and respect within these initiatives. Volunteers dedicate their time willingly, often balancing their efforts alongside other commitments. They want to contribute meaningfully and have a say in decision-making processes. Yet, oftentimes, decisions are made without considering their input. Similarly, volunteers are engaged in countless surveys and consultation sessions where their feedback never sees the light of day (also known as organisational box checking). This can lead to disengagement and lower morale among volunteers, reducing their commitment and impact, as well as future engagement in genuine attempts at consultative actions. Ignoring volunteer input can also result in decisions that don't align with the needs and capabilities of those involved. Volunteers have valuable insights into the communities they serve and the challenges they face. Disregarding their input risks implementing strategies that are ineffective or even counterproductive. Moreover, the lack of consultation can damage trust within the volunteer community and tarnish an organisation's reputation. Volunteers may feel disconnected from the mission and values they support, leading to fewer volunteers in the future. To address these risks, organisations MUST prioritise inclusivity and transparency in decision-making. This means actively seeking and valuing volunteer input at every stage of the process. With so many organisations seeking volunteers, those who are genuine in their desire to actively listen to their people will lead to attracting and retaining a sustainable volunteer workforce. Are you currently an active volunteer? Does your organisation consult and value feedback from its volunteers?

Nonprofit leaders, how many unread emails are waiting in your inbox? Unread emails cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. However, here is some good news! -- In “How to Spend Way Less Time on Email Every Day,” Matt Plummer writes in the @Havard Business Review five steps to help you save an average of 2.6 hours a day! I highly encourage you to read this excellent piece. It offers tips and reinforces the idea that we should move away from reactionary behaviors towards more strategic, proactive ones. Plummer states, “So, between checking email six times more than needed, letting notifications interrupt us, and taking time to get back on track, we lose 21 minutes per day. The solution is simple, however. Turn off notifications and schedule time (about 5 to 8 minutes) every hour to check email.” The quote above is a fantastic example of how proactive behaviors, even tiny ones like planning to check your email once an hour, can lead to significant impacts! -- Tell me, what could you do with an extra 2.6 hours a day? -- When you’re ready to move from REACTIVITY to PROACTIVITY, here are two ways I can help: Download this checklist to learn the six strategies to move your nonprofit from REACTIVITY to PROACTIVITY.  Join our LinkedIn page Spark Group Consulting to stay up-to-date on nonprofit best practices through blog articles, free resources, interviews, and more.

Volunteers play a crucial role in your association, not just during #VolunteerAppreciationWeek, but every single week! You likely leverage your #AssociationManagementSoftware to manage, recruit, retain, and engage your member volunteers. But have you considered leveraging your online member community to give your volunteer program a boost?  Read our blog for seven tips to use your online member community to enhance your volunteer program > https://hubs.la/Q02tB-940 #NationalVolunteerWeek