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The New Breed: Understanding & Equipping the 21st Century Volunteer
The world of volunteers has changed. But have you changed, too?
Across the country, volunteer ranks continue to grow, but people are volunteering differently. They’re working online, seeking flexible schedules, and pursuing a role in defining how projects should be completed. They want to feel a sense of responsibility for your organization’s overall mission.
Put simply, these volunteers don’t want to simply make a contribution; they want to make a difference!
Jonathan McKee and Thomas McKee have tapped into their decades of experience with the simple goal of helping you recruit, manage, and lead the new breed of volunteers. They’ll guide you to a clearer understanding of what today’s volunteers look like, how they want to get involved, and how you can most effectively attract, train, and unleash them within your organization.
You’ll also discover a bounty of helpful resources to assist you, including job descriptions, applications, and interview questions; activities, icebreakers, and team-builders for volunteer meetings; community-building activities; and tips for board retreats and planning sessions.
The 21st century calls for a new system and for a greatly expanded definition of what it means to be a volunteer. If you can harness this passion and potential, you’ll experience results that will reward both your organization and your volunteers.
Across the country, volunteer ranks continue to grow, but people are volunteering differently. They’re working online, seeking flexible schedules, and pursuing a role in defining how projects should be completed. They want to feel a sense of responsibility for your organization’s overall mission.
Put simply, these volunteers don’t want to simply make a contribution; they want to make a difference!
Jonathan McKee and Thomas McKee have tapped into their decades of experience with the simple goal of helping you recruit, manage, and lead the new breed of volunteers. They’ll guide you to a clearer understanding of what today’s volunteers look like, how they want to get involved, and how you can most effectively attract, train, and unleash them within your organization.
You’ll also discover a bounty of helpful resources to assist you, including job descriptions, applications, and interview questions; activities, icebreakers, and team-builders for volunteer meetings; community-building activities; and tips for board retreats and planning sessions.
The 21st century calls for a new system and for a greatly expanded definition of what it means to be a volunteer. If you can harness this passion and potential, you’ll experience results that will reward both your organization and your volunteers.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2007
57 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan McKee
41 books48 followersJonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new IF I HAD A PARENTING DO OVER; 52 WAYS TO CONNECT WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE OBSESSED KID; and the Amazon "Best Seller," THE GUY'S GUIDE TO GOD, GIRLS AND THE PHONE IN YOUR POCKET. With over 20 years youth ministry experience, Jonathan speaks to parents and leaders worldwide. You can follow Jonathan on his blog at JonathanMcKeeWrites.com, getting a regular dose of youth culture and parenting help. Jonathan, his wife, Lori, and their three kids live in California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 6, 2015
A must-read for anyone who is in the position of managing volunteers, this deceptively thin volume is jam-packed with excellent advice and keen insights from cover to cover. Whatever flaws it exhibits are paltry compared to the wealth of valuable information which the authors impart. Among the most useful observation offered up are the distinction between generational and life-stage differences; the need to avoid hypothetical questions during interviews; understanding the difference between mission and vision; the importance of utilizing talents according to abilities; the importance of both ongoing training and regular feedback; and countless other examples as well. The authors have included an appendix which is jam-packed with useful resources, in addition to citing many others throughout the text. The value of this book extends beyond the world of volunteer managers (where it should be required reading): it would make a good read for all managers.
November 3, 2014
Anyone who works with volunteers, whether in a nonprofit or church setting, should read this book. The authors do a great job of describing how the volunteer of the 21st century differs from earlier generations: the new volunteer wants to make a real difference, have work that fits into her schedule, and have input into how the program for which she is volunteering is run. No longer content just to make a no-questions-asked, long-term commitment to fill a slot, the new volunteer requires a new set of management strategies and tools, which are provided here. Well worth the investment.
April 13, 2020
An absolute must-read for anyone leading volunteers of any sort. I wish I had read this years ago as I never realized how much of my profession would consist of volunteer management. Frankly, every single pastor and ministry leader should read this book as it can become easy to overwork and overwhelm our volunteers.
This book especially spelled out how it’s more important to find the right volunteer than to fill positions. With solid training and a clearly communicated vision, we can empower volunteers to take the lead on their own.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars since there were a few outdated teachings such as technology and the target toward “Gen Y”. Overall a great and easy read!
This book especially spelled out how it’s more important to find the right volunteer than to fill positions. With solid training and a clearly communicated vision, we can empower volunteers to take the lead on their own.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars since there were a few outdated teachings such as technology and the target toward “Gen Y”. Overall a great and easy read!
April 2, 2020
Value of the volunteer
The authors have great suggestions in reference to developing a dynamic volunteer program. Definitely things I will incorporate into my program including use of digital media for recruitment, identifying quality over quantity, developing volunteer mentors, creating my own self care and self assessment system. Lots to think about. I do appreciate the case studies and sample resources. Well done.
The authors have great suggestions in reference to developing a dynamic volunteer program. Definitely things I will incorporate into my program including use of digital media for recruitment, identifying quality over quantity, developing volunteer mentors, creating my own self care and self assessment system. Lots to think about. I do appreciate the case studies and sample resources. Well done.
March 22, 2020
I bought this book hoping for some advice on how to manage and lead volunteers but the book, despite the title, is quite dated now. There have been a few interesting ideas here and there. I like the one where the author explores the difference between delegation and empowerment and when it’s time to switch from one to another.
July 29, 2019
Some good principles for recruiting, retaining, and managing volunteers. I wish the authors had steered totally clear of religious references and examples, but it's difficult given that they come from a youth ministry background.
January 6, 2021
A bit dated, but most info makes sense.
March 4, 2022
very good thoughts about the 21st century volunteer. I am try some new tactics to gain volunteers....we shall see if it works.
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September 22, 2022Excellent discussion of delegation
October 25, 2024
Really good ideas.
September 22, 2010
Enjoyed reading this as it had some great practical ways that it is helping someone, such as myself, that has little or no experience in managing volunteers to think of things as I get started in my endeavor.
I think the way it was written was both good and bad. There were moments that the fact that you had multiple authors playing off each other helped things along and others that seemed forced and led to goofy exchanges.
Ultimately, the mark of a good book is are you keeping it for reference? Do you want to give this away to others to help them? Did you spend tons of time wanting to underline things?
I do have this as a reference...as it has some great material in the back with examples that I think are very useful.
I think I would pass this along to others, if they are newer to the game of managing volunteers.
I didn't spend a ton of time underlining...but, there were at least a couple of chapters that I wanted to go back to again.
I think the way it was written was both good and bad. There were moments that the fact that you had multiple authors playing off each other helped things along and others that seemed forced and led to goofy exchanges.
Ultimately, the mark of a good book is are you keeping it for reference? Do you want to give this away to others to help them? Did you spend tons of time wanting to underline things?
I do have this as a reference...as it has some great material in the back with examples that I think are very useful.
I think I would pass this along to others, if they are newer to the game of managing volunteers.
I didn't spend a ton of time underlining...but, there were at least a couple of chapters that I wanted to go back to again.
August 5, 2016
This was a great book! I love the concept of a virtual volunteer and 'dating' a volunteer before determining if they're right for your organization. :)
Roles and responsibilities, flexibility, empowerment... all great info on these topics as well as the importance of identifying your organization's purpose before seeking volunteers.
I didn't realize there would be so many references to youth ministry but that did not take over as a theme of the book.
Roles and responsibilities, flexibility, empowerment... all great info on these topics as well as the importance of identifying your organization's purpose before seeking volunteers.
I didn't realize there would be so many references to youth ministry but that did not take over as a theme of the book.
June 21, 2012
As someone very new to the task of volunteer management I found this book to be insightful and gave me lots of new ideas and thoughts on how to approach, develop and strengthen my organisations team of volunteers. Simple to read and understand, although some of the 'banter' between the two authors doesn't really add anything to the book and could have been left out.
January 15, 2015
I guess I'm a bit late to the game as I read the second edition, but this a greater primer on major aspects of modern volunteer management. It provides a level of detail not found in most vol mgt 101 books, and nicely highlights modern techniques as opposed to those being taught year and year with little change. Highly recommended for anyone managing volunteers.
August 2, 2011
A frustrating read but an important one. The reason it is frustrating is because it introduces (at least for me) a very new way of working with volunteers and explains who these volunteers are. I've been able to take so much from this book and apply it to how I approach volunteers.
June 16, 2015
Best thing I learned: Don't take the football. Let volunteers/employees work out solutions rather than dumping on leader. Good overview of ideas for creating teams and dynamics of different age groups.
February 26, 2018
Helpful look at volunteer recruitment, training, and management. The authors provide clear examples and solid strategies that allow volunteer managers to maximize their volunteer base while providing an enriching experience to their volunteer teams.
March 3, 2009
Pretty good book for anyone in leadership involving volunteer leaders. Can be a bit cheesy at times, but most of the stuff is useful and insightful.
August 13, 2009
Recommended with ASSE & PDC 2009
July 22, 2010
Bad writing.
April 20, 2011
good, general info on managing volunteers, with an emphasis on youth ministry
July 29, 2011
Good book on enlisting volunteers. Lots of practical instruction.
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August 3, 2011Helpful little book that articulates some things that are pretty sense, but not always readily appat front of our brains...
February 20, 2013
Excellent "how to" for recruiting and managing volunteers.
November 25, 2013
Highly recommended book for volunteers management. I am a big fan of the practical books that gives you a real life experience.
July 5, 2014
Simply put, the book sets volunteerism in a context of mission and caring for the needs of the volunteer. Read the second edition.
November 8, 2014
Helpful for anyone working with volunteers.
April 23, 2015
Really enjoyed the book. Easy to read and enlightening.
July 6, 2016
Easy to read, real life examples, great basic resources, and perfect for both paid staff managing volunteers or volunteer leaders!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews