Dealing With Change

I would like to share some of my thoughts with you after attending a seminar on Strategic thinking at Volunteer Toronto recently. We had a lively discussion as we talked about all of our experiences as volunteers.

I thought mostly about how my various placements as a volunteer had led to me having to become more fluid in my responses to change instead of always digging in my heels, and refusing to accept the inevitable. Once I recognised this fact, the changes that I had been so afraid of became welcome ones. These are the most important ideas that I formed at the seminar, and reinforced what I had already accepted in my own mind:

To volunteer means to accept constant change. Your own schedule may change, your programs may change, and the people you help will always be experiencing various degrees of change within their own lives.

Changes can be:

• Cyclical, e.g. You have more students for tutoring during the school year than in the summer months

• Structural, e.g. Attendance in your programs drops, so you have to adapt or restructure in order to continue.

• Transformational: e.g. Either You or your students have moved on or outgrown your programs. This is the hardest change of all because it requires support from those above you as well as those you are helping. Some will be totally behind you, some will be cautious about supporting you, but can be eventually one over to your side, and other support systems will withhold their support completely.

Keep in mind our mission statement at Community Matters: Neighbours helping Neighbours in St. James Town.

See the big picture: Identify the context of your goals: What do you expect to get out of your volunteering time with us? Understand what is going on around you, as well as what is going to make the experience of change more positive.

Try to respond to changes either with your support and or a positive outlook, or by taking a second look to make sure that the changes that you make are the right ones to order to solve the problem. Ask others for their input and try to work together towards a shared understanding.
Had a similar experience? Please share your views about this by posting on the volunteer blog.

Ingred

March 4th, 2008

Hi CMT volunteers!!


Hi, my name is Ingred and I am the new coordinator of volunteers for Community Matters Toronto.

First I want to thank all of you who volunteer here for your continual dedication and hard work with us, and I want to let you know that you are the most important people in our CMT family. Without you we would not be able to provide the services that are so badly needed in this vibrant community. You are very much appreciated!

At Community Matters we want you to share your ideas, we want to know what has worked for you as well as what hasn’t. Sharing in the volunteer blog helps us all to feel connected and I want to hear all your ideas and get your feedback on any ideas that I may have. Together we can make CMT even better!

Ingred.