enriched, enlivened & engaged: creating community among volunteers tricia brooks and allison...
TRANSCRIPT
Enriched, Enlivened & Engaged: Creating Community
Among Volunteers
Tricia Brooks and Allison RuncheyMinnesota Literacy Council
November 4, 2011
•Overview
•Elements of Community
•Reflection and Self-assessment
•Discussion
Overview
• What is “community”?
•What are the benefits of community?
• What happens when there isn’t a strong community?
Elements of CommunityFrom McMillian and Chavis (1986)
Integration and Fulfillment of Needs
Membership
Shared Emotional Connection
Influence
Membership
•Boundaries
•Emotional safety
•A sense of belonging and identification
•Personal investment
•A common symbol system
Membership
Ideas
- Welcome new members and creating a welcoming environment
- Regular and ongoing communication
(in person, newsletters, email, phone, mail)
-Nametags
-Using symbols and logos
-Certificate and materials from training
- T-shirts
Influence
• Members of a group are motivated to participate because they can influence the group.
•A group is cohesive because it has influence over its members.
InfluenceIdeas
-Placement Decisions
-Surveys/Evaluations
-Sharing successes with group
-Creating Structure
-Providing leadership opportunities for experienced volunteers
Integration and Fulfillment of
Needs
•Members are an integral part of the group and their motivations for volunteering are fulfilled.
•The tools and knowledge required to be effective.
Integration and Fulfillment of
Needs
Ideas
- Tour and introductions
- Placement based on their interests and goals
- Sense of purpose or worth
- Trainings
- Recognition events and awards
- Resources (library)
Shared Emotional
Connection“’It seems to be the definitive element for true community’” (McMillan & Chavis 1986)
Members support each other and have a history of shared experiences or events.
Shared Emotional
ConnectionIdeas
• Make a personal connection with each volunteer
• Movie nights and book discussions
• Require sustained commitment
• Training workshops
• Social Networking: Facebook, Ning, Blog
• New idea
Reflection and Self-
assessment
Strengths
Challenges
Scenarios
