Inside #OC15: Seven Quirks of Incredible Volunteers with Sue Miller and Adam Duckworth

We have several people live tweeting and taking notes during Orange conference. Follow along with the hashtag #OC15.
Here are the tweets that came out of Sue Miller and Adam Duckworth’s breakout “Seven Quirks of Incredible Volunteers.”

Quirk #1: Start Somewhere.

• 80% of people just don’t know where to start.
• Most people are so overwhelmed with the need that they never start.
• As leaders encourage them to start somewhere!
• Encourage people to try something they LIKE and to start over if they’ve been BURNED!

Quirk #2: Small is Big

• The smallest things we do have the biggest results.
• Small things bring about not normal results.
• Speaking encouraging words, sending birthday cards, etc.

Quirk #3: Own Don’t Rent

• “If you want to be a not normal volunteer you need to be an owner not a renter.”
• Owners invest more for a bigger return.

Quirk #4: You, Me & We

• This is not about ME. This is not about YOU. It’s about how WE do this together!
• It is about looking side to side to see what is going on around you – rather than focusing on yourself.

Quirk #5: Honor The Leader 

• Embrace Your Leaders Vision – It will drain volunteers to be part of a vision that they do not support.
• Sometimes the best thing a volunteer can do is to amicably move on if they are in conflict with their leaders over vision.
• “Your leader needs a cheerleader, not a drama queen.”

Quirk #6: Replace Yourself

• Let go of what you want. Let go of your current role. And, let go of controlling your future.

Quirk #7: You Can’t Always See It

• Volunteers can’t always see the impact they are making.
• Remind your volunteers often that even if they can’t always see it – they are making a difference.

Check out additional posts in the “Inside #OC15” series on the blog!