Volunteer Engagement Professional

Hi, I'm Jessica!

I'm incredibly passionate about stewarding relationships, coaching and mentoring others, and developing and improving processes.

In this blog, I'll share my experience from 10+ years of non-profit volunteer engagement, and discuss new things I learn every day.

Jessica

Oct 12
5 min

Volunteering as a Bereavement Photographer: Annie’s Journey and Call to Action

Content Warning: this article mentions infant loss and miscarriage Images provided for this article are courtesy of Annie Chen, with...

108 views

Jessica

Jul 10
3 min

If I could turn back time... I'd tell myself: Advocate

Today's post was inspired by a question from the VolunteerPro Insiders Facebook group: "What advice would you give to someone just...

54 views

Jessica

Jun 19
3 min

Internet Inquiry: June 2021 Edition (Volunteer Appreciation Gifts)

This question came through the VoluneerPro Insiders Facebook group. To paraphrase, another leader of volunteers asked for "ideas on some...

33 views

Jessica

May 20
4 min

"Ginny & Georgia": Lessons in Volunteer-Related Risk Management from Netflix Show

I've taken a few days off work to celebrate my wedding anniversary and extend the May 2-4 long weekend. So of course, it's an opportunity...

20 views

Jessica

Apr 25
3 min

Internet Inquiry: April 2021 Edition (Improving Your Writing for Job Applications and Beyond)

This question came to me from a family member who has spent about 30 years climbing the career ladder in Canada but was recently...

15 views

Jessica

Mar 27
1 min

7 Ways to Increase Donations by Stewarding Volunteers

Volunteer Toronto is an incredible resource for people looking to volunteer and organizations looking for volunteer engagement support in...

17 views

Jessica

Feb 15
5 min

Internet Inquiry: February 2021 Edition (Gut Feelings and Volunteer Screening)

This question was posted to the Volunteer Engagement Professionals - connection & camaraderie Facebook page on January 22, 2021, and...

37 views

Jessica

Jan 16
9 min

Celebs x Volunteer Engagement: An Interview with Dana Litwin

Dana Litwin, CVA is a volunteer engagement consultant from San Francisco. She is also the host and producer of "Dana's Priceless Advice...

54 views

Jessica

Jan 9
3 min

Internet Inquiry: January 2021 Edition (Volunteer Feedback Surveys)

To manage expectations for everyone, be transparent about the purpose of the survey and what will happen with survey responses. Many times,

16 views

Jessica

Dec 29, 2020
5 min

Celebrity Volunteers

Just like we cannot assume that every accountant wants to be board treasurer, we cannot assume that every celebrity wants to do what they do

44 views

Jessica

Dec 14, 2020
4 min

Internet Inquiry: December 2020 Edition (Celebrating Volunteers' Birthdays)

Volunteer birthdays- do you celebrate them? How? Our team has started taking note of volunteers' birthdays to acknowledge and celebrate them

76 views

Jessica

Jul 28, 2020
5 min

Building Relationships Through Presentations

Don't see a presentation, or a donation, or a new member, or a six-month volunteer commitment, as the end game. To maintain relationships, y

153 views

Jessica

Jun 26, 2020
5 min

Canada Student Service Grant: Some Answers- Finally!

Students must complete eligible volunteer hours by October 31, limiting the time available for screening, orientation, and training, as well

88 views

Jessica

Jun 10, 2020
2 min

Black Lives Matter: Learning and Unlearning

This is a blog about learning so I'm going to share my experience of learning about systemic racism, effective allyship, and Black...

13 views

Jessica

May 22, 2020
1 min

O Canada: Four Uniquely Canadian Things about Volunteerism and Volunteer Engagement during COVID-19

Rob Jackson's blog is one of the Resources I Love for volunteer engagement. So, when Rob asked if I'd like to contribute a guest post, I...

19 views

Jessica

May 13, 2020
4 min

Employee Partners: It's Time to Level Up

Employee Partner: a paid staff member who works with volunteers throughout the volunteer engagement cycle, to enable success for a...

70 views

Jessica

May 7, 2020
3 min

Sharing My Values with a Soul-Baring Story

I am the child of immigrants from Hong Kong. On my first day of kindergarten, my mom said to me, “and one day, you’ll go to university.”

39 views

Jessica

May 3, 2020
5 min

Boundaries: Cover Your A$$ and Consider Your Capacity

I live in a Toronto neighbourhood called Willowdale. I have lived in this same neighbourhood since I moved to Toronto a decade ago. I...

41 views

Jessica

Apr 23, 2020
4 min

Canada Student Service Grant: I have so many questions!

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised $9 billion to support students across the country in his daily coronavirus briefing today...

280 views

Jessica

Apr 21, 2020
2 min

Do or don't: calling volunteers "family"? And why you should use "community" instead

I'm on several non-profit professional groups across social media and I've always wanted to delve deeper into questions that I give brief...

48 views