Submitted by Jane Roberts
from: clipartfox.com/
At the Conversation Cafe held on January 15, 2017, there were several topics covered, and this topic is volunteering. Many ideas were brought forward for consideration:
- creating a "volunteer deposit" : members could pay money into a fund, and be refunded for volunteer work; another option was only requiring a deposit from non-volunteers
- because we are not in a rental situation, members who do not attend χ number of meetings must attend an education event
- a letter sent out to non-volunteers
- members should RSVP to meetings? Why aren't members attending meetings or sitting on a committee? (survey)
- member Involvement follow-up twice a year? Or ask a volunteer to do this?
- send out a form with the annual income form, that asks about contributions/committee involvement
- put an Education piece in the newsletter about what counts as volunteering
- consequences for non-involvement - becoming a member not in good standing? Members not fulfilling obligation as shareholder/member
- value of volunteer time compared to market rates (for housing)
- what is the cost of not volunteering/paying for property management
- creating work credits (i.e. 100 volunteer hours) - taking the long view of contributions and the ebb and flow of what members do
- one year without volunteering = monetary penalty added to member's housing charge
- why doesn't the Board call people in and ask them about issues they might have?
- encourage members to volunteer; we don't want regular volunteers to feel resentful, and we don't want to shame non-volunteers
- carrot vs stick - the carrot is more successful; possibility of incentives for volunteer work
- consider the social value of helping in the community; it's a good practice for children
- there is great value in showing up, helping and contributing
- positive effects of meeting neighbours, building community, ease of conversation and getting to know people
- activities that can be done on an individual member's schedule
- recording volunteer activity and/or meeting attendance
- offer education on the physical and other benefits of volunteering (Gladwell* example about heart attacks); articles and/or interviews in the newsletter about the medical and measurable benefits
*An excerpt from Malcolm Gladwell's book Outliers can be found here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/books/chapters/chapter-outliers