Group items tagged

Interesting study using Facebook volunteers. The authors analyzed 700 million words, phrases and topic instances from Facebook messages of 75,000 volunteers who took standard personality tests, and found striking variations in language with personality, gender, age. Used an open-vocabulary technique where the data itself drives the exploration of language that found connections not captured with traditional methods. To date, this is the largest study, by order of magnitude, of language and personality.

Some interesting findings based on age and gender

This blog post by Beth Kanter, January 24, 2013, has lots of considerations for working with nonprofits on social media adoption and use. Good links to other resources, too, including legal counsel-type guidance. Raises several issues for me including blending uses of social media (external, face forward kinds of promotional and educational sharing as well as learning with each other, for example) and legal angles to understand, and guidance for volunteers in addition to staff, especially in professional membership associations where members may do far more sharing than staff. A social media policy for a np--professional membership association--with volunteers in addition to or instead of staff doing most of the representation for the organization would need to be explicated as well. We need to understand this thoroughly as we work with organization

ASAE's page on Collaborate Welcome with explanation of how to get started and how members "easily interact and communicate online and via email to exchange ideas, experience, knowledge and wisdom of your peers." Join our discussion groups to spark or contribute to a conversation. The benefits are endless!" Overview of how to get started "1. customize your profile and preferences... 2. adjust your subscription settings... 3. start a conversation in the discussion groups... 4. start networking--find a member and connect... 5. Volunteer Town Square--here you will find short-term opportunities as well as ASAE's one-year term council and committee appointment groups. We encourage you to volunteer for projects that fit your interests, expertise, and schedule!"

recording of tech platforms for volunteering--NTEN sponsored in San Francisco,

Second story by Eric Nelson offers good reasons for volunteering during transitions to build relationships, references, reach clarity on new directions, etc. January 29, 2013.

REally good blog post by Leadership Freak Dan Rockwell on how volunteering allows you to grow all the leadership skills that you wish to be paid for someday. Many of these skills are needed online, too.

Nice blog by Danielle Holly, Common Impact, on engaging remote employees and skilled volunteers with good sources cited in the article, May 17, 2016. If everyone is remote, everyone is equal, but skilled management is still needed.

Article by Lydia Dishman, April 2015 on how attitudes are changing about work "How Job Candidates Are Judged Only a small percentage (11.9%) of global workers say they wouldn't hire someone without a LinkedIn profile. Professional profiles are, not surprisingly, ranked for these top factors: work experience (56.4%) education history (28.6%) volunteer experience (16.6%)"

Says it all about why nonprofit leaders might not jump on retiring corporate types to help run their nonprofits or volunteer for them.

article by Robert Elsenpeter, Star Tribune, 2008. Expand Your Network Many admins are already members of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). And while that is a group worth joining, there are other organizations - like Toastmasters - that can help your professional life. "Attend community groups and industry association meetings," says Kathy Northamer, vice president of OfficeTeam in the Twin Cities. "Make presentations on your area of expertise. Volunteer with a nonprofit. You'll not only gain new contacts, but acquire experience and work samples you can use to build your career." Different organizations can offer different opportunities. But there is one thing they all have in common and it's something beneficial for the admin. "Networking, networking, networking!" says Northamer. "The more contacts in your network who know you, the more likely you will secure leads, interviews and interesting job offers." Reasons to Join a Professional Organization: Personal and professional development resources. Networking opportunities. Professional certification that can help your career. Service and support from the national organization. Opportunities to develop one's leadership skills. Discounts on related products and services. Regular organization conferences. Member publications.

article by Thomas J. Denham in About.com Job Searching Benefits 1. Networking 2. Professional trends 3. Attending conferences 4. Publications 5. Job listings 6. Product discounts 7. Mentoring 8. Building your resume through volunteering These two speak more to what you should consider before joining an association 9. Being selective 10. Asking questions

"In 2002, approximately 12 million people were employed by nonprofits and another 100 million volunteered their time to help these organizations (O'Neill, 2002). If any sector could be exempt of the glass ceiling - where professional women would advance and be paid at the rate same as men - the nonprofit sector seems like the most viable candidate. An overw helming percentage of nonprofit employees are 3 women, so it logically follows that in this sector, the percentage of female CEOs would be larger than the percentage of male executives and the two groups would be similarly compensated (Hays, et al., 2009; Johnston, & Rudney, 1987; Gibelman, 2000a; Joslyn 2003; Shaiko, 1996; Pynes, 2000; McGinnis, 2009). Perhaps in this se tting, supportive female co-workers would be more likely to confront inequity and encourage women as they work toward promotions. But such scenarios are the exception rather than the norm. It turns out that the glass ceiling of nonprofits is similar in construc tion and resiliency to the gl ass ceilings of government and private industries. "

blog post by Vu Le, February 2, 2015--reflections on SeaHawks' loss to Patriots and tie-in to nonprofits' lessons And I found that the greatest thing about this sport where a bunch of dudes throw an egg-shaped ball and shove each other around, is the community it builds. The last two weeks especially have been great. People were nicer to each other. Everyone seemed happier. And the ice at any meeting could be broken with a simple "Go Hawks." Applied to nonprofits: One of the most important things that nonprofits do is that we build community. This is hard to measure and is not often funded. But we cannot take this for granted. When we do a good job, our organizations and programs instill in people-our clients, staff, board, volunteers, donors-a sense of belonging to a community that cares about them, where they are seen, where they matter. (See "An immigrant kid's reflections on community.")

SeniorNet, an international(?) nonprofit organization run by volunteers out of Ft. Myers, FL to serve adults 55+. Hmmmm.

By Laura Murphy, January 6, 2016. Some of it is building investment in Freelancers Union services. Also volunteering in community, finding a hobby, etc.

Paul Lemberg writes about delegating--five components--give the job to someone who can get it done; communicate precise conditions of satisfaction; work out a plan; set up a structure for accountability; and get buy-in. Believe these components are even more important for remote workers and volunteers.

Taproots sponsors three kinds of events for pro bono volunteers--pro bono marathon, ScopeAthon, speed consulting

Taproot advertises and connects skilled volunteers with projects onsite and virtually. They provide timeline and scoping assistance for longer-term projects. They have projects done-in-a-day, 4-6 week period, and 6-9 months-in-length projects.