leadership & advocacy in volunteer programs

Leadership & Advocacy in Volunteer ProgramsAnthony McAdoo, Ed.D.March 29, 2011Central ChapterAVCA

Developed for the Leadership & Advocacy core competencies for the Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA) DesignationText:Volunteer Administration: Professional Practice

Leadership

Leadership Defined: The ability of an individual to

influence, motivate, and enable other to contribute toward the effectiveness and success of the organization of which they are members. (House, et. al, 1999, p. 184).

Leader vs. Manager Leader:

Associated with inspiring or influencing others for the sake of commitment.

People-Oriented Personal Power

Manager: Associated with

hierarchical power and subject’s compliance.

Task-Oriented Position Power

Leaders and Power Social Power: a process that entails the

leader affecting others/followers in ways that those individuals will respond in favorable ways and engage in beneficial actions that they would probably not do on their own in the absence of the lead

Position Power Legitimate Power: Associated with the

position, function or profession (think CVA)

Reward Power: Salaries, promotions, recognition

Coercive Power: Fire or penalize Information Power: Using, releasing or

controlling information from or within the organization

Personal Power Expert Power: Knowledge in specific

areas. Referent Power: Followers desire to be

associated with people with whom they have developed affective feelings or admiration.

Leaders vs. Leadership Leaders are individuals who are in the

position of using the sources of power that are available to them to influence individuals.

Leadership is the relationship between a leader and the respective followers and is very much a two-way process.

Leadership Theories Path-Goal Contingency Theory

Clarify linkages between performance of the followers to the individual and organizational rewards that result in collective outcomes

Charismatic Leadership a two-way relationship that engenders an

intense reaction and inspiration on the part of the follower Two views: Socialized or Personalized

Other Leadership Theories* “Great Man” Theory Trait Theory Behavioral Theory Participate Leadership Situational Leadership Contingency Theory Transactional (Management) Leadership Transformational (Relationship) Leadership

*These are not discussed in CVA content

Leadership & Cultures Universally endorsed characteristics

Charisma and its socialized manifestation Team-oriented leadership Leaders are seen to exhibit charismatic and

integrity qualities and build effective teams

Some characteristics were consistently viewed as barriers to effective leadership:

Self-protective (being a loner and asocial) Malevolent (non-cooperative and irritable) Autocratic (dictatorial)

Organizational

Organizational Management The ability to design and implement

policies, processes and structures to align volunteer involvement with the mission and vision of the organization.

Organizational Assessment The systematic process of gathering key

information and measures from across the organization to create a picture of how the organization is functioning and performing.

Assessment vs. Evaluation Assessment: gathering key

information and measures to identify function and performance.

Evaluation: looking at results and determining what should happen next.

Principles for Organizational Assessment

Role in Society Governance Planning Transparency & Accountability Fundraising

Principles for Organizational Assessment

Financial Management Human Resources Evaluation Strategic Partnerships Civic Engagement and Public Policy

Conducting Volunteer Program Assessments

Volunteer Program Scorecard McKinsey Nonprofit Capacity

Assessment Grid

Diversity & Inclusion Diversity: full participation by

members of many different groups. Inclusion: engaging the uniqueness of

the talents, beliefs, backgrounds, capabilities, and ways of living individuals and group when joined in a common endeavor.

Advocacy

Advocacy The ability to advance individual,

organizational and community goals, advocating for effective volunteer involvement inside of the organization and in broader community it serves, through the investment of personal integrity, skills and attitudes. (according to CCVA)

A deliberate process that has as its objective some sort of change.

Lobbying Lobbying has a call to action to contact

policymakers about specific legislation. It can either be:

direct (to the legislator or legislative staff) indirect (to the general public with a call

to action)

Advocacy Strategy

Preparation

Planning

Implement

Evaluate

Adjust

Celebrate

Types of Advocacy Internal(within the

boundaries of the organization): On behalf of others -

all volunteers or a particular volunteers

On behalf of volunteer management

For themselves and for their role in managing the volunteer program

External (targeted audience is outside the boundaries of the organization). For the organization

or cause beyond the confines of the organization

With external partners and the community

For the profession of volunteer administration

How do you Advocate? Become knowledgeable.

Know the goals/objectives Know the facts and history Know the big pictures, context and options Know the audience Know your values and philosophy

How do you Advocate? Prepare through Research.

Research the issues Connect with others in the profession Research the issues, organization or

community by connecting with those outside of volunteer management

Assess assets and deficits of the larger context, the organization, community or section

Critical thinking to integrate all streams of information

How do you Advocate? Practice effective communication

skills. Active listening Communicate clearly Know how to use persuasion Adapt your language to that of the audience Be aware, knowledgeable and respectful of

cultural differences

How do you Advocate? Prepare through Research.

Research the issues Connect with others in the profession Research the issues, organization or

community by connecting with those outside of volunteer management

Assess assets and deficits of the larger context, the organization, community or section

Critical thinking to integrate all streams of information

Questions, Thoughts & Observations?Anthony McAdoo, Ed.D.amcadoo@gmail.com(479) 422-1237