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Professional Development: Using Your Skills to Get Ahead and Help Others

Katie CampbellExecutive DirectorCouncil for Certification inVolunteer Administration

Speakers:Facilitators:

Melinda BostwickVP, Member Services

ACCP

Amanda MacArthurVP, Global Pro Bono & EngagementPYXERA Global

Stephanie HongManager, Engagement

VolunteerMatch

BPNHow To Ask Questions

• Type questions into the box on the left side of the your screen

• Submit via Twitter to @VM_Solutions using “#VMbpn”

• We will pose questions at the end of the presentation

• A copy of the slides will be circulated after the event

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Find content like today’s topic & more in VolunteerMatch’s new book Volunteer Engagement 2.0: Ideas and Insights Changing the World, out now!

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Professional Development: Using Your Skills to Get Ahead and Help Others

Katie CampbellExecutive DirectorCouncil for Certification inVolunteer Administration

Speakers:Facilitators:

Melinda BostwickVP, Member Services

ACCP

Amanda MacArthurVP, Global Pro Bono & EngagementPYXERA Global

Stephanie HongManager, Engagement

VolunteerMatch

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Katherine CampbellExecutive Director, CCVA

Taking Charge of YourProfessional Development

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• Our roles are focused on giving credit to others• Our supervisors don’t know what we need/want• Our employers don’t actively support it with

resources• We approach it with a limited lens• We are too busy!

Why P.D. Is Not a Priority

BPNPotential Personal Benefits

• Increased self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses• Increased confidence, affirmation from others• Proof of skills and abilities• Opportunities to practice and apply new knowledge• Exposure to diverse people and settings beyond my

comfort zone• Fresh challenges when the current job has become

stale• Changes in how others perceive us• A job promotion, pay raise, or re-positioning in the

organization• Meaningful, enduring relationships

BPNStep 1: Exploratory Thinking

• “I’m really curious about…”• “I wish I was better at…”• “I wish others regarded me as more…”• “How do I feel about my work now? Would I like to feel

differently in the future?”• “What is holding me back from taking a step to grow or

learn?”• “What am I nervous/stressed about changing? Why?”• “If I don’t do anything to improve my competence, what

might happen?” • “Who might have advice to offer, or help me find what I need?”

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• Plain old networking• Seek a mentor or coach• Join a local, regional or national

affinity group• Identify a peer career coach:

a relationship of equals regular communication

focused on individual goals shared resources, insights, fresh perspectives

Step 2: Maximize the Power of Colleagues

BPNStep 3: Map Your Pathway

• Don’t get hung up on the entire journey

• Include short- and long-term goals• Break big steps into manageable

actions• Set some deadlines• Identify who else could be/will be

involved• Include resources needed• Record your journey and progress:

what, when, why, evidence, reflections

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• We are “canaries in the mine”• Our roles are intrinsically

connected to the greater community

• Professional development leads to organizational quality improvement

• Personal clarity & focus improves job performance

The Ripple Effect: Beyond Ourselves

The Right Pro Bono Expertise for the JobAmanda MacArthurVice President, Global Pro Bono & Engagement

What is Pro Bono?» Giving of one’s

professional skills to deliver a product that improves organizational capacity.

» Volunteers offer time, energy, and abilities

» Nonprofit offers valuable time and resources for a deliverable that has the potential to be game-changing

Why Companies InvestEmployees who participate are…

satisfaction than traditional volunteers

high

47%More likely to report

142%More likely to report job related

skills gained

True Impact “3rd annual Volunteerism ROI Tracker Report” 2012

What can you achieve

?

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Decision Questions

What resources

do you have?

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What are you

willing to invest?

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Before You Start Don’t compromise. If you feel like the appropriate skills aren’t available it’s better to

postpone or reconsider the scope of work.

IBM survey of managers and employees

• Make sure the right decision makers are on board

Find the Right

People• Schedule meetings in

advance

• Have initial meetings set before the work begins so volunteers can get started immediately

Schedule Meetings

• Get to know each other.

• To understand who you will be working with research the company and business culture

• Prepare a virtual or live

orientation prior to the start of the project

Break the Ice

Scope of Work

A good scope of work outlines the

» Organizational background

» Project objective

» Existing challenge

» Requested deliverables

» Perceived impact

A S.M.A.R.T Road Map for Pro BonoCreate a strong scope of work, be clear and concise

S• Be Clear and define the project• Why is this important to your organization• What has prevented you from achieving it to date • What information does the volunteer need to be a success

pecific

easureableM• What will success look like• How will this project enable you to better serve your mission • Are there metrics to collect/measure and report on

greed - Upon• What are your expectations for project reporting,

communication, etc.

A

• Why now• When do you need the deliverable

Timely

• What resources are available to support the project & its implementation

• What are the constraints

Realistic

During the Project Make the volunteers a part of your organization

1. Commit to the Project Dedicate as much time as possible to the project. Build a sustainable partnership with your volunteers by maximizing your time with them.

3. Keep an Open MindVolunteers will encounter new ways of working during their project. Working for a nonprofit is much different than working for a private sector company. Keep an open mind and communicate clearly if and when lines are crossed.

4. Be FlexibleExpect the unexpected, and be ready to adapt quickly to changes. Having a work plan is important but work plans are meant to be modified and adapted to meet new priorities or fresh developments.

2. Leave Room for Dialogue and TransparencyHelp volunteers understand your needs and goals. Provide them with access to the information they need and don’t hesitate to give feedback.

What You Need to Know About Corporate CultureExtend hospitality and explain your office culture

Mission-Driven Educate volunteers on what it means to be a mission-driven organization.

Pace of Work Volunteers are often focused on finding effective solutions as quickly as possible. Be honest if you need a change in pace.

Resources Help the volunteers to understand your resource constraints.

Engage with Purpose

» Invest with intent

» Be goal-driven

» Know what you bring to the table

» Give a meaningful and authentic experience

BPNAsk a Question!

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Q&AType questions into the box on the left side of the your screen

or

Submit via Twitter to @VM_Solutions using “#VMbpn”

BPNWin the Book!

Find content like today’s topic & more in VolunteerMatch’s new book Volunteer Engagement 2.0: Ideas and Insights Changing the World, out now!

Enter for a chance to win by tweeting #VMbpn during the webcast!

Get 25% off your copy today:www.bit.ly/accpVMbook

23

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www.VolunteeringIsCSR.org

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