VolunteerPlainTalk is a blog (and podcast) for and about volunteer managers and the unique challenges we face.

Like most volunteer managers, I began my volunteer manager career with lofty intent. Over the years, I have been humbled, inspired, frustrated, renewed, downcast, amused and shocked. What a learning experience it has been so far!

I have spent over 25 years in volunteer management, have held the CVA certification since 2005, have presented on the state and national level, have written for several publications on volunteer management and a few years ago, wrote a book on volunteer management (the Volunteer Shelf Life) which came about because heck, volunteers leave for lots of reasons and I was tired of blaming myself every time a volunteer “quit.”

For the last several years, I have been researching ways to elevate volunteer management and volunteerism and have compiled all that research into my latest book, (The Disruptive Volunteer Manager - see below). My podcast, Volunteer Plain Talk, my website, VolunteerPlainTalk and my line of non-profit gear are all aimed at elevating volunteers, volunteerism and the essential role volunteer managers play in developing a vibrant volunteer initiative.