What We Learned (the Hard Way) about Supervising Volunteers: An Action Guide for Making Your Job Easier (Collective Wisdom Series) [Paperback]

Jarene Frances Lee (Author), Julia M. Catagnus (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0940576201 | ISBN-13: 978-0940576209 | Publication Date: October 6, 2004

Get advice from over 85 on-the-job supervisors of volunteers about how to define volunteer work expectations, build relationships based on trust and respect, expand communication, be a coach and facilitator, and resolve performance problems. Author Lee's extensive knowledge plus anecdotes from colleagues in the field clarify what works and what doesn't! A great tool for designing formal training programs for staff who supervise volunteers, or for that matter, for those who supervise paid staff.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...practical and user-friendly; its use encouraged great discussion and learning for all of us..." -- Jackie Specken

About the Author

Jarene Frances Lee is a trainer, consultant and writer in the field of volunteer program management. She was director of Volunteer Resources at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer for 17 years. She has also served on the national board of the Association for Volunteer Administration and numerous other national and local committees.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Energize, Inc (October 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940576201
• ISBN-13: 978-0940576209
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #758,669 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some Nuggets, Too Busy, Part of a "Portal" Program, July 23, 2002

By 

Robert D. Steele (Oakton, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What We Learned (the Hard Way) about Supervising Volunteers: An Action Guide for Making Your Job Easier (Collective Wisdom Series) (Paperback)

The bottom line on this book (actually an 8.5 by 11 "manual") is that it has some nuggets, including a fairly good but by no means comprehensive quasi-annotated bibliography, but it is very very "busy" and difficult to read easily. In essence, while the authors may have brought together some of the best annecdotes and insights on supervising volunteers, they have not done the more difficult work of integration and simplification that would have allowed the busy manager to absorb this material comfortably. Reading this book is a strain.

The book also appears to be part of a "portal program" that churns out books and articles on volunteer program management. On balance, I would get the book if you are the one person responsible for program-wide oversight of volunteer supervision, and not get it if you are simply one of many people superivising small numbers of volunteers.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource Book for Volunteer Supervisors, December 27, 2000

By 

Erin O. (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What We Learned (the Hard Way) about Supervising Volunteers: An Action Guide for Making Your Job Easier (Collective Wisdom Series) (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for anyone who work with volunteers. It is truly a user friendly book, sparing the reader from `academic' jargons found in other volunteer handbooks. This book covers topics such as: volunteer recognition, volunteer communication, expectations of the volunteer, supervising performance problems, and many other helpful hints. Another helpful inclusion is quotes directly from volunteers. These quotes help to clarify and remind volunteer supervisors about the volunteers point of view. I enjoyed reading this book and it has really helped me remember the sometimes overlooked aspects of volunteer management.

4.0 out of 5 stars Supervising Volunteers, November 21, 2008

By 

Jock Benet - See all my reviews

This review is from: What We Learned (the Hard Way) about Supervising Volunteers: An Action Guide for Making Your Job Easier (Collective Wisdom Series) (Paperback)

I have been a volunteer for years and have several years experincing supervising volunteers. For anyone who is responsible for recruiting and supervising volunteers, this book is a must! My current job invloves part-year volunteers and it means a lot to do everything practical to help make this years experience for them rewarding so they will sign up with me again next year.