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

Mar 12
7 min

Personal Branding Series Part 3 of 3: An Interview with Corina Sadler, CVA

Welcome to the final installation of this blog series on personal branding. For the first installation where I outline some thoughts on...

36 views

Jessica

Mar 6
6 min

Personal Branding Series Part 2 of 3: An Interview with Kristen Loblaw

Welcome to the second installation of this blog series on personal branding. If you want to check out the first installation, please...

38 views

Jessica

Feb 28
2 min

Personal Branding Series Part 1 of 3: A Personal Reflection

My definition of personal brand encompasses how one reflects themselves into the worlds they interact with. Different worlds can have...

73 views

Jessica

Dec 27, 2021
3 min

Une petite amélioration en 2021 : A few ways this anglophone worked on her French

I'm decidely anglophone. Growing up in British Columbia, the most western province of Canada, learning French was an academic exercise....

24 views

Jessica

Oct 12, 2021
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...

143 views

Jessica

Jul 10, 2021
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...

68 views

Jessica

Jun 19, 2021
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...

87 views

Jessica

May 20, 2021
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...

33 views

Jessica

Apr 25, 2021
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...

19 views

Jessica

Mar 27, 2021
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...

28 views

Jessica

Feb 15, 2021
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...

40 views

Jessica

Jan 16, 2021
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...

71 views

Jessica

Jan 9, 2021
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,

24 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

49 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

78 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

180 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

89 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...

18 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...

21 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...

89 views