The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: How volunteers can changed your work
My beloved group of volunteers has surprised me over the last three months. They've given me the best experience I could ask for while running a new nonprofit.
Let me share my experience building this nonprofit from the ground up.
I initially formed a team of friends who shared our values, showed enthusiasm, and had relevant skills. On top of that, I wanted to help this team with their career growth. However, the journey wasn't as smooth as I'd hoped.
Over time, some team members became less engaged and communication dropped off. Despite a solid onboarding process with good resources and training, some couldn't keep up with their commitments. When my leadership style was questioned, I saw it as an opportunity to grow, and made the professional decision to let them go.
Then came a crucial insight: success depends on finding people who truly believe in our mission, not just those who join because of personal ties.
I'm proud that several founding members showed incredible dedication, staying committed throughout our growth and making vital contributions to our progress.
When we recruited again, we took a better approach. We clearly stated what we needed and focused on finding people who showed real passion for our cause. This change worked wonderfully.
Today, our team shows what excellence looks like, they're committed, share our values, and bring genuine enthusiasm. They offer different viewpoints while staying focused on our shared goals. Their dedication keeps pushing us forward, and I'm deeply grateful for everything they contribute.
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