Working with Other Volunteers
Credit: This photograph is
from Corel Print Office, 1998, Corel Corporation.
"Only a
life lived for others is worth living"
-- Albert Einstein
Volunteers as Partners
Sometimes it seems easier to do most of the work ourselves and not include other
volunteers; as a result, some volunteers let one person take charge and do most of the
work. Some volunteers have difficulty working with another adult that they don’t get
along with. People have different ways of doing things and different values; working with
other volunteers usually requires an ability to handle differences, which takes time and
energy. Letting go of responsibility opens up the possibility that the person given the
job might not do it as well as somebody thinks it should be done or that it might not be
done within the time frame that somebody thinks it should be. "If you want something
done right, you’ve got to do it yourself," is unfortunately a belief held by
many.
It takes courage, patience, energy, and time to enlist the help of other volunteers or
to offer help to a leader who doesn’t seem to need any. But the results are well
worth the effort. Help from other volunteers eases the workload of any one person. It also
allows all volunteers an opportunity to learn about all aspects of the group, making them
better able to handle the tasks in the future. This section will focus on working
successfully with other volunteers, and making it easier to include everyone.
Tips for Unity among Volunteers
Credit: This photograph is
from Corel Print Office, 1998, Corel Corporation.
Volunteers who feel a sense of togetherness are more likely to work together well. An
unfriendly or unorganized atmosphere may hinder working together effectively. Here are a
few tips on creating unity among the volunteers in your group.
- Respect everyone in the group for who they are. Instead of focusing on shortcomings of
the other volunteers, try to understand their strengths. Everyone brings with them unique
abilities that will be beneficial to the group. People should be given assignments that
they are good at and will have success with. If you don’t agree with someone, try not
to find fault with the person. Instead try to resolve the conflict while maintaining a
friendly and respectful atmosphere.
- Get to know the volunteers personally. Perhaps getting together with other volunteers
outside of the group setting will foster friendships.
- Volunteers need to know what is expected of them. Have meetings where everyone is
allowed to set and agree upon goals. Allow all volunteers to give input on goals and
directions for change without fear of being embarrassed. If goals among the volunteers are
clear and agreed upon, some conflict may be eliminated.
- Volunteers need to have challenging
responsibilities so they can feel like they are really making a contribution. If they feel
like they are a significant and important part of the group, they will be happier and more
helpful.
Volunteer Interest Survey
Credit: This photograph is
from Corel Print Office, 1998, Corel Corporation.
Some volunteers may be reluctant to be involved if they are asked to do a job that they
don’t particularly like. One way to encourage participation from volunteers is to
have everyone fill out a form that asks about their personal interests and abilities. This
form should be filled out as soon as possible and should be updated often, annually, for
example. You can use this sample Volunteer Interest Form, or
modify it to suit the needs of your particular group.
Problem Solving
Youth leaders must continually find solutions to problems that arise. The ability for
leaders to work together is critical for successful resolution of problems. The following
is an effective step-by-step way for leaders to work together to overcome obstacles that
interfere with their goals.
Activity #2
Credit: This
photograph is from Corel Print Office, 1998, Corel Corporation.
Consider a problem your group is having. Think about how this process might help to
reach a solution. At your next meeting with other youth leaders, use this process to
identify and find solutions to that problem.
Conflict Resolution
Sometimes volunteers may not work well together because they do not agree with other.
The ability to resolve conflicts successfully can help all volunteer leaders feel more
inclined to be helpful and active in the group. The conflict resolution strategies that
you learned about with kids in Lesson 4 are also
effective with adults.
Activity
#3
Credit: This photograph is
from Corel Print Office, 1998, Corel Corporation.
Brush up on the conflict resolution
strategies that you learned in Lesson 4 while applying them to situations with other
volunteers by reading the following situation and answering the questions below.
Lance and Cindi were
adult volunteers who thought that the best way for the kids to raise money would be to
have car wash at the mall. Cindi offered to help the children earn more money by taking
half of the kids to another parking lot and doing a car wash there as well. Lance inwardly
objected to the idea, thinking that it would be too much work and he didn’t think she
would be able to keep the kids under control without his supervision. Lance told Cindi not
to worry about it, that he would manage the car wash himself.
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Discussion Questions
-
Think how would a person who uses
aggression or retreat respond to this situation. What might be the benefits of resolving
the problem successfully?
- Please
list other conflict resolution strategies
you think might be useful to resolve
this situation and describe a possible
outcome of the strategy.
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Click
here to return to Lesson 5 start page.
References
Groups --
How They Decide. Family Community Leadership: Western Rural Development Center.
Corvallis, Oregon.
Let’s Find a Solution: Problem Solving In Groups.
Family Community Leadership: Western Rural Development Center. Corvallis, Oregon.
The Art of Delegating. Family Community
Leadership: Western Rural Development Center. Corvallis, Oregon.
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