leading successful volunteer projects

Leading Successful Volunteer Projects

Stacy Merrill Surlassurla@mitre.org

ASIST Annual MeetingNovember 14, 2004

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Introduction

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Introduction

Principles of Leadership

Duties/Practices

Case Study

ToolsInfrastructure

Medicine bag

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What makes a good leader?

Why run volunteer projects?

What problems are faced in volunteer projects?

What works?

Ideas about leadership

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What is a leader?

Leader = – Director– Boss– Person in charge– Responsible party– Owner– Accountable

Principles

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What is a leader?

Leader = Master

Principles

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What is a leader?

Leader ≠ Master

Principles

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What is a leader?

Leader ≠ Master

Leader = Servant

Principles

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What is a leader?

Leader ≠ Master

Leader = Servant

Principles

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What is leadership?

Leadership = Ownership?

Principles

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What is leadership?

Leadership = Ownership?

Leadership = Giving it away

Principles

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Why volunteer projects?

Principles

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Why volunteer projects?

Volunteers =– Save money– Provide ready labor– Give at least as much as

they get

Principles

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Why volunteer projects?

Volunteers = $

Principles

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Why volunteer projects?

Volunteers ≠ $

Principles

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Why volunteer projects?

Volunteers Get > Give

Principles

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Staying on track

Principles

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Staying on track

Keep your eye on the goal

Principles

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Staying on track

Keep your eye on the goal

Remember: the goal will change

Principles

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Duties and Practices

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Not motivational aphorisms (hopefully)

Duties/Practices

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Ask constantly

Look for people who can give in their areas of expertise

Provide real opportunities for people to contribute

Duties/Practices

Invite

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Give ownership and control to others

Trust that things will work out (probably)

Duties/Practices

Trust

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Just muster the nerve to try

Duties/Practices

Be bold

Our doubts are traitors,And make us lose the good we

oft might winBy fearing to attempt.

- Measure for Measure

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You can do it with what you’ve got

You can do it from whatever position you’re in

Duties/Practices

Lead from your strengths

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Be the team’s muse of communication

Set up workable means for communicating

Don’t stop communicating

Duties/Practices

Communicate

“The time to communicate is… Now!”

- Leo Surla

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Champagne in the fridge at all times

Duties/Practices

Celebrate victory

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Case Study

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ASIST website redesign

Scene 1: Executive director (ED) approaches member X about forming a group to plan an ASIST website redesign. ED suggests locals they both know, and promises the support of the board. X thinks the project can be done.

X agrees.

Case Study

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ASIST website redesign

What have we got?

• Achievable goal• Invitation• Giving ownership away

Case Study

Note: The leader in Scene 1 is the Executive Director

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ASIST website redesign

Scene 2: X invites members to meet and discuss. A central place is chosen with access to coffee, books, and snacks. Group members meet regularly to brainstorm, offer expertise, practice new and existing skills, and socialize. Some are more active than others. Timelines, tasks, and limits are set. Activities are summarized in memoranda. Society gives free event registration.

Case Study

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ASIST website redesign

What do we have?• Infrastructure• Volunteers get more than they put in• Volunteers know more than leader• Leader stays on top of details• Work is voluntary – no punishments• Leader constantly invites• Leader gives tasks away• Appreciation, plus valuable perks

Case Study

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ASIST website redesign

Scene 3: The project wraps up, but stalls somewhat. Data collection, analysis, and brainstorming are done, but the 40-page report is not getting written. Meanwhile, X and volunteer Y manage to brief the Board on findings and recommendations. A memo follows and the project is miraculously complete. Board hires a contractor as suggested, and carries the work forward. Appreciation is expressed.

Case Study

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ASIST website redesign

What happened?

• The goal was achieved• The goal looked different than the

team thought it would• The team gave the project away

Case Study

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Tools

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Infrastructure

Plans

Schedules

Regular communication

Measures of progress

Specific tasks

Means for collaboration

Tools

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Medicine bag

StickiesWikisCafé meetingsE-mailInstant messagingChampagneChocolatePerks & Honors

Tools

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Summary

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Summary

Leader = Servant

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Stacy Surlassurla@mitre.org