Volunteer - Volunteer U

Why We’re So Obsessed with Motivation

You’ll hear us talk a lot about motivation here at Volunteer U. In fact, we discuss it so much some might think we’re boarding on obsessive. But there’s a reason we believe so strongly in understanding what motivates our team members. That’s because we’ve found that motivated people get the job done.

You Can Sit With Us: The Power of Acceptance and Belonging

We’ve all experienced it. We’re the new kid. Holding our tray of cafeteria food and nervously looking around the room for a place to sit. It feels like everyone already has their group of friends and are laughing at their regular seats. If only one person would look up at you and smile, life would just be perfect, and the lunchroom wouldn’t feel so much like the Thunderdome.

6 Volunteering Trends to Watch in 2020

Ready or not, volunteerism is evolving. Here are 6 trends we think are going to make waves in 2020 and beyond.

Just Show Up

The sun had already set as I opened the school door to head to my car. After a full day of teaching, I had spent the last two and a half hours tutoring, sending emails, making copies, and grading papers. My fingers were stained with red ink and there was a drying ball of play-doh in my pocket. I was beat.

The Only Two Words You’ll Need to Inspire Your Volunteer Team.

If you work with a volunteer team, chances are, you have run into the issue of motivating those volunteers and spend a lot of time thinking of ways to engage and make them feel valued.

The Comparison Trap, Part II

Our social media-driven world makes it difficult to avoid feelings of competition. It’s all about more likes, more followers, more reach. You follow someone you admire on Instagram but what started out as a genuine interest in the person turns into wishing your life could be as enjoyable and successful as theirs seems to be. It’s a vicious cycle.

The Comparison Trap, Part I

I’ve noticed in my life that this isn’t just an issue faced by women. It’s something we all deal with on a pretty regular basis. As leaders and even as volunteers, we often run into thoughts of how we gauge ourselves against others. “Am I good enough?” “Can I do this?” Turn into thoughts of “I will never be as good at this as her.” “He’s such a good leader, I’m nothing like him.”

How to be a better listener

Conversation is an art form. A delicate dance where each partner moves from speaking to listening, exchanging information and ideas.

Motivation Theories

How are our leaders investing in us? Are they just putting us through the paces? Sending us to one class after another to learn and telling us to read books but not taking the time to invest their time in us? A leader’s schedule can become very hectic, and between trying to help others and […]

Creating a Cultural Brand

Scott Cook, the co-founder of Intuit (the company credited with QuickBooks and TurboTax), once remarked, “A brand is no longer what we tell the consumer it is – it is what consumers tell each other it is.” This has become true in our social media-driven environment where one positive or negative post can go viral […]

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