tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post2536294873744429523..comments2024-03-28T11:15:57.026-04:00Comments on The Uncataloged Museum: Where do Volunteers Come From?Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833927749919826650noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-80371794636305710202011-07-15T09:31:53.274-04:002011-07-15T09:31:53.274-04:00Here's a word I've just come across: micr...Here's a word I've just come across: micro-volunteering. Like micro-philanthropy, the underlying premise is that many people nibbling away at a project can have as much impact as a few people taking big bites. As you mention, Linda, every institution needs to figure out what projects require big bites, sustained bites, and micro bites, but the point is that we need to offer all types of bites, probably all the time, in order to encourage all types of volunteerism. <br /><br />I think there is something to be said for the contributions volunteers can make in half an hour as opposed to half or full-day stints.Anne W. Ackersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04543098694263540652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-56174143893236462692011-07-13T23:00:56.065-04:002011-07-13T23:00:56.065-04:00Thanks for this Linda. I am a huge advocate of you...Thanks for this Linda. I am a huge advocate of your first point, volunteer jobs that matter. I've done this in several capacities both at a local history museum, in community work, and now at AASLH through the affinity group model. This engages volunteers in a meaningful way and creates affinity not only for their individual cause but also for the institution as a whole. <br /><br />I wish that the field would adapt this idea/model on a more widespread basis because I think it'd help solve issues of engagement and relevance and later membership and donations. <br /><br />I have a full-blown talk I give on this but here are some of the hints I offer:<br /><br />Always be explicit about museum’s goals for the committee/affinity group and resources.<br /><br />Find a strong chair who buys into that vision and get out of the way and let the volunteers create the strategies to accomplish the task. <br /><br />And remember that volunteers provide their talent and expertise, let them use them for something other than stuffing envelopes or making copies.<br /><br />Ok, that's enough for now :) Thanks for the food for thought.Bob Beattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10406317464574114168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-83409996800682939322011-07-13T08:36:42.473-04:002011-07-13T08:36:42.473-04:00Reading these observations makes me wonder if we i...Reading these observations makes me wonder if we in the US create unnecessary barriers to volunteering. How many of us recruit by word of mouth, as the examples here did, openly welcoming whomever can assist? I know when I had to do volunteer work for school years ago I barely had any idea how to find somewhere I could volunteer, let alone any realization of many opportunities there were. <br /><br />How many of us require forms or orientations to get started because our insurance policies and lawyers say they're necessary for CYA? There were no such roadblocks in Ukraine and it appears to have made a significant difference.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com