Creating a More Diverse Environment through Inclusive Volunteer Engagement Practices

Volunteers help make your organization run. From serving on boards to shoveling kennels, volunteers show up day-after-day to serve.

Yet, too often, volunteers do not reflect the communities they are serving. At its worst, homogenous volunteering can unintentionally cause harm, perpetuate injustices, and force cultural norms onto others. Fortunately, there are strategies that can help create a more diverse environment through volunteer engagement.

If you're ready to design a more inclusive pathway to engaging with your nonprofit, then this 90-minute session is for you. Join Jerome Tennille to learn how to incorporate anti-racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion practices to create a more welcoming, engaging environment for all types of volunteers.

Participants in this session will gain:

• A historical background on formalized volunteerism (and the legacy that leaves us today);
• A review of white supremacy culture and how that can inadvertently lead to homogenous volunteer groups;
• Tips to identify, acknowledge and change policies and guidelines at your nonprofit that may present a barrier to engaging diverse volunteers; and
• Promising practices that can increase inclusion of diverse communities in your volunteer program.

Presenter:

Jerome Tennille has dedicated his life's work to creating a more positive culture of volunteering. He currently serves on the Corporate Social Responsibility team of Marriott International where he manages the employee volunteer program for Marriott's global team. Before that, he managed volunteer services for a national 501c3 nonprofit supporting families of fallen veterans. Jerome began his career of service in the US Navy. 

Jerome's work has been published by VolunteerMatch, Nonprofit Information, Impakter, and more. Through his consulting firm, Architecting Social Good, Jerome has collaborated with numerous organizations, including America's Service Commissions, Volunteer Fairfax, Serve Ohio, and Peace through Action USA. He holds a Masters of Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University and is designated Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA).

Cancellation/Program Policies:

Related Programs and Resources:

• Let's Connect: Volunteer Engagement - Feb 22. 
• Your First 100 Days in Volunteer Management - On Demand Resource 
• Volunteer Managers Institute - Mar 26.