Have you ever just asked your volunteers how they like to be recognized?

I see so many articles and toolkits and workshops with titles such as “50 ways to recognize your volunteers” or “how to run a successful volunteer recognition program”.  Too often, organizations plan huge volunteer events with awards and recognition gifts - wall art, mugs, t-shirts – which never get used because they aren’t meaningful to the people who receive them. [more ...]

This blog post is the fourth in a series of success stories featured in our 2012 Annual Report.

Like many projects, The Abundant Not-for-Profit began as an audacious idea.

Military strategists spend significant energy and time contemplating the relative value of retreating, holding the battle line, or exploding with unexpected force to secure that next foothold. I’ve been thinking lately about how someone in an interim role (me, in this case) can apply this analogy to contemplate possible paths for most effectively leading an organization, for a time-limited period, at a specific moment in the organization’s life cycle. [more ...]

This blog post is the third in a series of success stories featured in our 2012 Annual Report.

By Kevin Ronaghan, Vantage Point knowledge philanthropist

 Randy Schaefer’s interest in becoming a knowledge philanthropist grew from his previous experiences in the not-for-profit sector. “Volunteering on boards and in other not-for-profit roles made me aware of how important effective management and stewardship is,” he says. “As a result, I’ve developed the belief that knowledgeable and effective executive directors and board members are essential to achieving the impact each organization intends.” [more ...]

Intensity increases when we apply greater energy over a shorter period of time. That is somewhat counterintuitive. Common sense might suggest that adding intensity would deplete our energy. Yet applied in the right way, intensity actually has the opposite effect.  

Think about workouts. For years I tried to regularly hit the gym. My goal was to go four times a week for an hour each time. I was never able to maintain this schedule and therefore never saw results. Then I started working with a trainer who increased the difficulty of my cardio and weight training, while decreasing the amount of time I spent at the gym. The end result was more progress, more quickly and with more commitment (I’m still regularly working out eight years later).

Many people perform better and become more energized when facing higher intensity challenges. Their drive often comes from stepping out of their comfort zone to take on a higher level of responsibility. [more ...]

This blog post is the second in a series of success stories featured in our 2012 Annual Report.

By Kevin Ronaghan, Vantage Point knowledge philanthropist

Vivian Smith’s work as a knowledge philanthropist was not something she sought out; rather, it found her. “It was in the days when Vantage Point was still known as Volunteer Vancouver,” she recalls. “I was co-volunteering with one of their employees on a committee of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She told me that her organization was looking for volunteer facilitators for its board development program, and thought I would be well suited for the role.”

Once that initial connection was made, Vivian’s passion for training and facilitation quickly took hold, and her contributions grew in scope and responsibility. Following her work in the board development program, she became a knowledge expert for the fundraising component of Vantage Point’s Leaders Lab.  Her success in that role gave her the confidence to accept an invitation to lead Governance Lab in the Fraser Valley – a role she continues today. [more ...]

I’ve been on a mission for the past few months to “date” a not-for-profit organization and explore a possible “long term relationship”. Eventually, I’d like to join a board of directors, but first I’m looking for a short-term volunteer project that will allow me to get to know the organization’s culture and values.

I have reached out to four organizations and let them know my short and long term plans. Each has offered me a role on a committee with a one to two year commitment. I’ve politely declined all their offers.

I believe many people, like me, want to contribute to your organization. And yet we may not want to jump right into a long term commitment. Do you structure your work in a way that allows you to intentionally engage skilled people on a short-term basis?  [more ...]

Maria Turnbull's reflections on the legacy of Vantage Point’s recently retired Executive Director, Colleen Kelly, at last night’s 69th Annual General Meeting.

My daily water taxi commute from Bowen Island is a wonderful opportunity to think and reflect. Rather than scroll through email, I gaze across English Bay and allow my thoughts to wander. Not surprisingly, water images and metaphors have been on my mind in the weeks leading up to our 69th Annual General Meeting. Today, I invite you to join me and gaze at that blue sky reflection. [more ...]

Two weeks ago, our crew was buzzing about a potential knowledge philanthropist who’d left us a voice message. David is a self-described entrepreneur, innovator, and influencer. Soon after moving to Vancouver he wandered past Vantage Point’s offices, noticed a poster about our new book, went home and downloaded it, read it and called us to see how his skills could further our mission. Wow! [more ...]