UVM Blogs

Have you ever been in a group and then were asked to lead it – and product results?  Have you ever wanted to learn how to lead successful groups? People get frustrated and discouraged when groups aren’t […]

I’m often reminded that leading change is not for the faint at heart. Having a plan for change is a good start . Spend some time identifying the potential ramifications that may result.  Open your mind to thinking across the organization and about how others may view the proposed change.  Anticipate the unexpected and prepare yourself with some [...]

What is ethical leadership?  What does it mean day-to-day in a nonprofit organization? All organizations, nonprofits, for-profits and governmental can face ethical challenges.  Some result in criminal violations.  The news is full of stories ranging from a large corporations misappropriation of retirement assets to a town clerk who has embezzled…[Read more]

Teams are organizational groups made up of individuals who function interdependently, coordinating activities to accomplish common goals.  Does your organization use work teams, like project management teams, task forces, work units, or standing committees, to accomplish goals?  If yes, read on and join a conversation. Just what makes an excellent…[Read more]

I have been troubled for some time now about the number of instances I’ve observed of adults, in leadership positions, behaving in ways that seem unacceptable. These events raise in my mind a question of when and where we lost our way when it comes to common-sense  civility. My first lessons in civility came from my [...]

Does your organization have a Questioning Culture?  Michael Marquardt suggests that a questioning culture exists when we ask questions of others and invite them to search for the answers with us.  By doing this we not only share information with each other, we also share the responsibility for answering the tough questions associated with…[Read more]

When disaster hits close to home, it’s not always easy to know exactly how to respond and start picking up the pieces. As a member of a community, there is always a way to get involved and help in the relief efforts regardless of whether a disaster preparedness plan is in place. The UVM Extension Building Capacity [...]

The person that thinks they can do something and the person that thinks they cannot do it are both right. I heard that bit of wisdom at a training many years ago and it has stuck with me as one the most true things I have ever learned.  I think it is time to pull it [...]

Disaster survivors can begin to address the financial issues that accompany disaster soon after securing safe shelter. Documentation is key to recovery. “You may think you will remember important conversations and details, but chances are you won’t be able to remember all of them” says Mary Peabody, a community development educator with…[Read more]

In light of the devastating damage from Tropical Storm Irene over the weekend we are posting these tips for those affected… A natural disaster can strike anywhere at any time, leaving in its wake damage and destruction that affects the financial well-being of survivors. You may be in disbelief, yet anxious to start to put the [...]

There are lots of things to consider before recruiting for new volunteers.   You can begin by contemplating how a multi-generational approach would affect your recruitment process and success of volunteers in the positions you are seeking to fill.  Each generational group has characteristics which may be beneficial to your organizations.  Are you…[Read more]

Someone (I suspect an observant mother) once said that the only being that truly likes change is a baby with a wet diaper.  That may be true but change is also inevitable so learning to anticipate, and cope, may be one of the hallmarks of a successful group. While we never know for certain what change [...]

Like most natural introverts, I really hate speaking in a group settings. So much so that, for years, I let my reluctance keep me from participating in important conversations, voicing good ideas and asking some important questions. Then I decided that my ideas and contributions were as good as a lot of the stuff I was [...]

Did you know that the average American spends between 3 and 5 years of their life in meetings? And most people dread every minute of that time. We are a culture that is addicted to meetings but sadly we don’t do meetings very well. Whether these meetings are related to business, community issues, or personal—success depends on good planning [...]

Most of us are, or have been, on a board or steering committee, joined a group, or worked with others on a club or community project.  We m ay have had a formal or informal orientation or had little introduction to the gr oup at all. Our first interaction with a board, committee or group shapes our relationship with, [...]

I recently encountered an article by Tony Goodrow on calculating the Return on Investment (ROI) of a volunteer program.  He offered some very thoughtful ideas and I want to share some of them with you.  Goodrow began his article using a quote attributed to authors of business management, most frequently to Robert Kaplan , founder of the Business…[Read more]

In recent weeks many of our communities have been tested by flooding and other weather-related challenges. Meanwhile the economic news indicates that federal and state spending will continue to diminish. Of course these events will impact our communities. However, history proves that some communities emerge from these challenges stronger while…[Read more]

The aim of an argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress. – Joseph Joubert Conflict isn’t necessarily a bad thing. “From conflict arises progress.” I’m not sure who said that and I couldn’t find the quote on the internet. But I can’t take the credit. That conflict can have positive impacts is not a new [...]

I recently attended the National Extension Conference on Volunteerism .  Martin J. Cowling delivered the keynote address, “Creating a Pro-Volunteer Culture.”  He is a leading consultant on not for profit and volunteer management.  Currently the CEO of People First – Total Solutions, Martin works regularly with individuals and organizations…[Read more]

Organizations have personalities just like the people that populate them. Some organizations are immature, some are older and wiser. Some are single-minded (like preserving a particular tract of land) and some are focused broadly over a wide range of topics (like climate change). Some are formal, with Boards and Bylaws and subcommittees, while…[Read more]