Volunteer Management News from Volunteer Today

LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNICATION IN VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

        Enroll now in a five week course in communication and leadership in the management of volunteer programs. i Portland State University's Volunteer Engagement and Leadership program begins its second summer course on July 20, 2009. Get help in dealing with challenging volunteers, assess your personal communication style, and determine if you are managing or leading your program. To sign up visit the PSU Dept. of Extended Studies web page.

http://www.extended.pdx.edu/degrcomp/programs/v_engagement.php

Act now: Class starts July 20, 2009

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THE INTERNET AND CHARITABLE GIVING

         The Internet has been a boon to charitable giving (See article on Tech Tips page). A report by the Chronicle of Philanthropy describes how the rush to online donations is showing some signs of strain.
         In a study by Target Analytics, it was shown that 9% of giving to 12 top national organizations came from online sources. The disturbing result of the report was that very few continued giving the following year. However, the donors gave $27 more per gift than those gifts from other sources, like direct mail appeals.
         In another study, by Convio, the good news was that online giving grew by 14% in 2008 from 2007 levels. The rate of growth was down, however, from 2007 highs. It was especially slow toward the end of 2008.

To read the Target Analytics report go to http://www.blackbaud.com
To read the Convio report go to http://www.convio.com/benchmark2009

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NONPROFIT LEADERS "BOOT CAMP" IN OREGON

August 31 - September 4, 2009

New leaders in nonprofit organizations often learn in the school of experience. This conference provides the opportunity to cultivate your leadership skills, explore your strengths, and build tool, techniques, and support in working in the nonprofit sector. Some topics include:

Managing and supervising staff
Administrative duties and responsiblities of the leader
Working with and leading a board of directors
Raising money to sustain the organization
Strategies to maintain work and life balance

Can be taken for college credit or CEUs.

Sponsor: Institute for Nonprofit Management, Portland State University

Location: Alton L. Collins Conference Center, Eagle Creek, OR

To register or form more information: 503.725.8221 or INPM@pdx.edu

Deadline is July 31, 2009

GIVING CIRCLES--ARE YOU HELPING ESTABLISH THEM FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION?

         Yet another report on the impact of “Giving Circles.” Since 2005, Volunteer Today has been writing about the importance of giving circles. In the June 4, 2009 issue of the Chronicle of Philanthropy another research report describes how members of giving circles give more than other donors, give more strategically, and give to a greater number of organizations.
         The report provides details on giving and volunteering behavior and much more. A report on the study is available at http://www.givingforum.org
         A giving circle is akin to investment clubs. Many people come together to pool small amounts of money for greater impact. There are about 500 giving circles in the US. Time magazine reported on this trend in November 2008. One group in Michigan raised $500 per year from its members to fund the work of local charities, a group in New Jersey has raised $125,000 for Alzheimer’s research, and another group in South Carolina raised money for the battle against breast cancer. The groups set their own dues, rules of operation, and who will receive the money raised-----some money is raised through efforts as simple as bake sales.
         More information on forming giving circles can be found on the Internet at givingcircles.org or givingforum.org.

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