Volunteer Engagement: Getting and maintaining large commitments

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Your volunteers are giving something money can't buy, and most nonprofits are treating that gift like an afterthought. When you start seeing volunteers through the same lens as major donors, the way you recruit, steward, and engage them completely changes. And when you connect volunteerism to your broader fundraising and governance pipeline, you stop treating it as a nice-to-have and start building something that actually lasts.

On this week's episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria sits down with Karen Leies, President and CEO of The Seeing Eye, the world's oldest guide dog school, to talk about what it really means to run a volunteer program well. With 500+ puppy raisers a year, a robust volunteer program, and a board of directors that often wears multiple hats, Karen brings hard-won insight on how nonprofits can stop leaving volunteer potential on the table. If you've ever struggled to keep volunteers engaged, convert their involvement into deeper commitment, or get your board to actually show up — this one's for you.

• Connect with Karen on LinkedIn
•  Visit their website: https://seeingeye.org/

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