Bibliography Statistics Inspiration Consultants & Trainers Software Recognition Items Professional Networks Journal Index Links Clip Art Tips on Supervision By Marlene Wilson [Editor's Note: You may forget that your network's members are volunteers themselves when they join the board or committees.  Now that you remember, apply good volunteer management to them too!]

Truth, Trust and Clear Expectations are the key to team building. Hold people accountable for what they've said "yes" to - that's why job descriptions and action plans are so important. (Do not rescue.) Two questions to ask your key leaders after 1-3 months: 1. "What do you need from me that you're not getting?"  (Is your leadership style helping them succeed?) 2. "What do you wish you knew that you don't to help you feel better about your job?"  (What are their training needs?) If the job is not getting done - find out why as quickly as possible and take appropriate action. The three most common reasons are: – Lack Aptitude (bad placement) Change person to another job  Change job to fit the person  Put someone with them to co-lead – Lack Skill or Motivation Provide the training!  (video, audio, books, training workshop, mentor) Find out what the problem is and deal with it. – Your leadership style may be the problem  Conflict in the group could be the de-motivation  A family or personal problem could have occurred  They may just need to be reminded that what they do is important and others count on them Remember … our people are as important as our programs!   © 2000, Marlene Wilson, Volunteer Management Associates, 320 South Cedar Brook, Boulder, CO 80304 800-944-1470 Marlene Wilson Volunteer Management Associates Marlene Wilson is internationally known as one of the foremost authorities in the field of volunteer management. For over 30 years Marlene has been conducting workshops, writing books, and creating videotapes to provide thousands of volunteer directors and volunteers the skills they need to improve the impact they make in their own communities. In 1968 Marlene established the Volunteer and Information Center of Boulder County which became a national model. She helped create the world’s first Volunteer Management Certification Program at the University of Colorado and was faculty director of the program for 25 years. Her book, The Effective Management of Volunteer Programs, is a staple in every volunteer program manager's library along with her several other books. She very richly deserves the National Volunteer Leader Award from the American Hospital Association which she received in 1999. Marlene is president of Volunteer Management Associates (VMA), a volunteer consulting and publishing firm. Volunteer Management Associates 320 S. Cedar Brook Road Boulder, CO 80304 www.volunteermanagement.com email: [email protected]

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