Recruiting Volunteers for Hard to Fill Positions
from Nan Hawthorne via Charity Village
We've all been there. We've inherited a program with a ragtag collection of volunteer positions, some based on old expectations of volunteers, some poorly thought out, some created to address a single need that no longer presses, some simply unpleasant no matter when, where or who. If we've kept up on trends in volunteerism or simply have a gift of empathy, chances are we know precisely why the position is so unattractive. Even if we do know the cause, a relative few of us know the solution. To arrive at this we must be sure we have looked at every aspect of the problem recruiting. More

Are You Awash With Volunteers?
fromVolunteer Today
While the heat is cranking up with the summer sun, so are the volunteer applications and requests for individuals to be a part of your organization. With the new Serve America Act, many department and some of my colleagues report that the volume of volunteer application requests, interviews, and orientations are skyrocketing. While this is encouraging, is our field prepared to handle the number of volunteers coming in to our organization? More

Going Green With a Paperless Program Manager's Handbook
from The Corporation for National & Community Service
Programs looking for handy ways to disseminate important information in an environmentally responsible fashion might consider exchanging the traditional program management handbook for a newer streamlined version made available on a flash/thumb drive. Dee Wilder of Volunteer Florida submitted this effective practice. More

Beware of Fees For Nothing
from Gift Shop Magazine
As a merchant, every time you accept a customer's credit, PIN debit or signature debit card, you pay a "Merchant Discount Rate" and various fees, that are distributed to the credit card, the respective association, the third party processors, and your merchant services provider. The average cost to you for a $100 transaction can be as high as $3 or more in fees. You might argue that some of these rates and fees are too high, but at least most of them are associated with an actual service necessary to accept credit card payments. Any other fees or surcharges that show up - or don't show up - on your monthly statement are fees for nothing. More

Embrace Cross Channel Retailing
from Integrated Solutions for Retailers
Cross channel retailing is not a buzzword, but rather a priority you cannot ignore. Indeed, the third annual U.S. consumer survey conducted in January by retail enterprise solutions provider Sterling Commerce focused on how consumers want to interact with retailers across channels. The survey found that consumers’ cross channel expectations continue to escalate, even in tough economic times. More

Eight Low Cost Perks: Staffing Incentives for Retailers
from Shari Waters via About.com
In order to provide the "above and beyond" type of customer service a retail store should deliver to be successful, it must begin by creating happy employees. Retailers that develop long-term incentives, perks, and rewards for its staff often see benefits like less employee turn-over and better customer service. A combination which can lead to an increase in sales. Motivational speakers, extra staff development and monetary incentives like paid health coverage are typical for corporations, but what about retailers? What perks can a brick and mortar retailer offer employees? More

2009 AHVRP Annual Conference Distinguishing Our Profession, Discovering Our Spirit Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa Phoenix, AZ August 27-30, 2009 Website: www.todaysvolunteer.org For a full conference brochure, click here.