Leadership & Advocacy in Volunteer ProgramsAnthony McAdoo, Ed.D.March 29, 2011Central ChapterAVCA
Developed for the Leadership & Advocacy core competencies for the Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA) DesignationText:Volunteer Administration: Professional Practice
Leadership
Leadership Defined: The ability of an individual to
influence, motivate, and enable other to contribute toward the effectiveness and success of the organization of which they are members. (House, et. al, 1999, p. 184).
Leader vs. Manager Leader:
Associated with inspiring or influencing others for the sake of commitment.
People-Oriented Personal Power
Manager: Associated with
hierarchical power and subject’s compliance.
Task-Oriented Position Power
Leaders and Power Social Power: a process that entails the
leader affecting others/followers in ways that those individuals will respond in favorable ways and engage in beneficial actions that they would probably not do on their own in the absence of the lead
Position Power Legitimate Power: Associated with the
position, function or profession (think CVA)
Reward Power: Salaries, promotions, recognition
Coercive Power: Fire or penalize Information Power: Using, releasing or
controlling information from or within the organization
Personal Power Expert Power: Knowledge in specific
areas. Referent Power: Followers desire to be
associated with people with whom they have developed affective feelings or admiration.
Leaders vs. Leadership Leaders are individuals who are in the
position of using the sources of power that are available to them to influence individuals.
Leadership is the relationship between a leader and the respective followers and is very much a two-way process.
Leadership Theories Path-Goal Contingency Theory
Clarify linkages between performance of the followers to the individual and organizational rewards that result in collective outcomes
Charismatic Leadership a two-way relationship that engenders an
intense reaction and inspiration on the part of the follower Two views: Socialized or Personalized
Other Leadership Theories* “Great Man” Theory Trait Theory Behavioral Theory Participate Leadership Situational Leadership Contingency Theory Transactional (Management) Leadership Transformational (Relationship) Leadership
*These are not discussed in CVA content
Leadership & Cultures Universally endorsed characteristics
Charisma and its socialized manifestation Team-oriented leadership Leaders are seen to exhibit charismatic and
integrity qualities and build effective teams
Some characteristics were consistently viewed as barriers to effective leadership:
Self-protective (being a loner and asocial) Malevolent (non-cooperative and irritable) Autocratic (dictatorial)
Organizational
Organizational Management The ability to design and implement
policies, processes and structures to align volunteer involvement with the mission and vision of the organization.
Organizational Assessment The systematic process of gathering key
information and measures from across the organization to create a picture of how the organization is functioning and performing.
Assessment vs. Evaluation Assessment: gathering key
information and measures to identify function and performance.
Evaluation: looking at results and determining what should happen next.
Principles for Organizational Assessment
Role in Society Governance Planning Transparency & Accountability Fundraising
Principles for Organizational Assessment
Financial Management Human Resources Evaluation Strategic Partnerships Civic Engagement and Public Policy
Conducting Volunteer Program Assessments
Volunteer Program Scorecard McKinsey Nonprofit Capacity
Assessment Grid
Diversity & Inclusion Diversity: full participation by
members of many different groups. Inclusion: engaging the uniqueness of
the talents, beliefs, backgrounds, capabilities, and ways of living individuals and group when joined in a common endeavor.
Advocacy
Advocacy The ability to advance individual,
organizational and community goals, advocating for effective volunteer involvement inside of the organization and in broader community it serves, through the investment of personal integrity, skills and attitudes. (according to CCVA)
A deliberate process that has as its objective some sort of change.
Lobbying Lobbying has a call to action to contact
policymakers about specific legislation. It can either be:
direct (to the legislator or legislative staff) indirect (to the general public with a call
to action)
Advocacy Strategy
Preparation
Planning
Implement
Evaluate
Adjust
Celebrate
Types of Advocacy Internal(within the
boundaries of the organization): On behalf of others -
all volunteers or a particular volunteers
On behalf of volunteer management
For themselves and for their role in managing the volunteer program
External (targeted audience is outside the boundaries of the organization). For the organization
or cause beyond the confines of the organization
With external partners and the community
For the profession of volunteer administration
How do you Advocate? Become knowledgeable.
Know the goals/objectives Know the facts and history Know the big pictures, context and options Know the audience Know your values and philosophy
How do you Advocate? Prepare through Research.
Research the issues Connect with others in the profession Research the issues, organization or
community by connecting with those outside of volunteer management
Assess assets and deficits of the larger context, the organization, community or section
Critical thinking to integrate all streams of information
How do you Advocate? Practice effective communication
skills. Active listening Communicate clearly Know how to use persuasion Adapt your language to that of the audience Be aware, knowledgeable and respectful of
cultural differences
How do you Advocate? Prepare through Research.
Research the issues Connect with others in the profession Research the issues, organization or
community by connecting with those outside of volunteer management
Assess assets and deficits of the larger context, the organization, community or section
Critical thinking to integrate all streams of information
Questions, Thoughts & Observations?Anthony McAdoo, [email protected](479) 422-1237
Top Related