These two images below popped up in Linked in recently.
Putting aside "paid well", they are as true for CAP members as for employees.
(http://s33.postimg.org/sqte6q7sv/ext.jpg)
If you can't provide the above to your members and staff, they either shouldn't be on your staff (or members)
(uncomfortable conversations as required), or perhaps you're the problem.
People who are most of the above, most of the time, stick around.
And to build the all important "Trust", you need to build the below pyramid in both directions,
but most importantly in an inverse fashion back down to your people:
(http://s33.postimg.org/9cchcxzi7/Pyramid.jpg)
It's interesting how the chart shows things building to trust, for example "credibility" and "performance"
together build your reputation. Likewise "skills" and "knowledge" require "experience" to become a "capability".
I take no credit for either image. Reverse image searches have them all over Twitter, but unfortunately there
is no attribution.
"Paid Well" takes on a different context in a volunteer organization.
Like I always say, people "get paid" in different ways in the organization, and it is incumbent upon commanders to understand and differentiate the different ways members "get paid" in their particular unit.
*everybody* in a volunteer organization has to 'get paid,' else whey are they there?
Some people need a certificate every so often. Cool. Come on up front, we'll hand you a COA or something else, recognize you in front of your peers, get your name and pic in the paper. Thank you for all that you're doing and will do!
Some need a bauble (ribbon) or a bottle-cap (promotion). OK, then lets speed that along, too, when and where appropriate.
Others need to be in a place where they feel like they're making a difference (position), contributing to the mission, or are in charge of something. Identify what makes that member tick and put them in places where they're "getting paid."
Still others get paid with a different kind of accolade: the satisfaction of knowing you're having a profound influence on your members, directly or indirectly, though their membership in Civil Air Patrol.
(Full disclosure: this is the kind of guy I am. I get an email from a cadet from 25 years ago saying "hey, sir, just wanted to let you know I'm retiring from the Air Force this month as an E-8 first sergeant, and I know I wouldn't be where I am today if it hadn't been for your influence," and its like payday for me. This happens frequently enough, where I get a message that says "Remember when I was a #$%^& knucklehead cadet? Yeah, well, you straightened me out and showed me the correct path, and, well, I just wanted to say thanks." Fills my bank account to the brim)
Again: part of being a successful leader of volunteers is knowing how to top off *everybody's* bank account on a regular basis.
^^^ Well said, Nin.
I probably could wallpaper at least three houses with all the Certificates that I have received over the years.
The few framed items/plaques on the "love me" wall and the bauble worn on the uniforms may impress others (but to me are simply reminders of significant milestones accomplished).
But like Nin stated, it is that note or word from someone who was impacted by service rendered that means the most to me. Just a couple of weeks ago, while I work, my cell phone rings and the voice on the other end was a former cadet who I have had the opportunity of watching grow from a basic CAP cadet to the young man calling me from Lackland just a few minutes after graduating Basic Training.....or chatting via Facebook with a former cadet who is currently deployed...no amount of ink or fabric can come near the feeling of having had a part of that person's life and accomplishment.
Sure members stay for the reasons shown in the graphics....but they also stay when there is a sense of fulfillment -- when what they do really matters. Make sure those that we serve with receive recognition...whether it is the piece of paper, the piece of fabric, or that word of acknowledgement that they are making a difference.
I'm not a CAP member but in volunteer craft groups but something that seems to alienate people is criticism that could be given in a better way.
For example One project I did I omitted the last step that is usually done because I was not sure about it. It was a project where the pieces had to be uniform and the type of project it was the last step is not always done. It was a small project so the last step was a 10 minute job. Once done it ruins the project if you try to undo it.
So a few weeks later I see a post on the FB page about the error and thanking the other member for pointing it out and how the group organizer now has to spend an evening doing it and postponing her life. Yes it was my mistake, I should have asked if we were doing that last step. Back then I was not so confident though and I felt funny asking. I am sure she was not intentionally trying to embarrass me but could have been handled differently.
In another group something similar happened, the group organize wrote me an email asking if she could just add it, I didn't feel embarrassed or humiliated.
Another group a lady puts out an email to please clean your projects, the projects are dirty, and more things like that. The same time a second email goes out to say which projects were received that week. Instead of that a simple reminder before the due dates about how to clean the projects would do OR say if you have any trouble please ask we have 20 years experience cleaning them or just email the member privately. She is a woman very dedicated to the cause but they lose members because of how things are communicated.
The British group has the biggest number of volunteers to the point where projects are taken up so fast they have to limit how many you can sign up for, the coordinators always have a lot of tact, it goes a long way! I have seen them put their foot down but they seem to always have a "move folks in a positive direction" communication style instead of starting off with criticism. One remarkable thing is they have had several women learn a new craft and get into fundraising too to support the group.