From The Suggestion Box with Nicole Smith

Alexa is a dynamic smart and funny executive who shares about her journey from a volunteer coordinator to VP. She talks about the importance of patience, mentorship, climbing the corporate ladder as a Latina, mentorship and how she grew her volunteer base from 1500 - 7500! Laugh, learn and love with Alexa. "3 hugs a day takes the stress away"  Contact Info: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin...

Alexa is a dynamic smart and funny executive who shares about her journey from a volunteer coordinator to VP. She talks about the importance of patience, mentorship, climbing the corporate ladder as a Latina, mentorship and how she grew her volunteer base from 1500 - 7500! Laugh, learn and love with Alexa. "3 hugs a day takes the stress away"  Contact Info: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin...

Nathan Gula, Director of Volunteer Services at Metropolitan Ministries, and I bond over being "the only one in the room" although for very different reasons. Nathan also shares why data is king when it comes to advocating for our programs!  Connect with Nathan:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaniel... E-mail: nathan.gula @metromin.org Bio: Service and volunteering have been a...

This episode discusses the importance of mentorship, why you should become a mentor, overcoming imposter syndrome, how to get buy-in from your supervisor to mentor, how mentoring helps you to stay current and relevant in your industry, and tips on how to choose a mentor.  See more about our speakers below:  Andrea Cuevas (she/her/ella) Andrea Cuevas is currently the Director of Marketing & Com...

Dr. Robert Shindell shares insights on imposter syndrome, vulnerability, brutal honestly, and why organizations should approach recruiting interns like drafting in the MLB. Laugh and learn with us he sheds light on why, now more than ever, the internship program is a vital DEAI pipeline tool for your organization through the principles of cultural transition, professional development, meaningful w...

Is failure determined by your definition of failure or your definition of success? Andrea Hill, CVA shares profound knowledge that she learned from Kenny Rogers, talks about the importance of mentorship, how the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon works in volunteer management and how volunteer management is similar to the NBA. Contact Info: Website: www. Volunteermemphis.org   Linkedin: https://www.linkedin...

Coleen LaCosta, CEO of Speak Up for Kids. She will have you in stitches as she shares with you the best feedback she has ever received, gives you tips on getting buy-in from your CEO and the strength of a volunteer board.  Contact Info: coleen@speakupforkidspbc.org     Website : Speak Up for Kids (speakupforkidspbc.org) Facebook (2) Speak Up for Kids Palm Beach County |  Instagram - Speak Up For K...

Adam Janes, CVA from Christie Lake Kids shares gems with his insights on bullying, the importance of self-care, and the new volunteer appreciation app! He shares the story about how he and Rob Jackson are selfie twins and the secret behind the “Behind the Bake Sale” podcast. In his words, leaders of volunteers are “the people who help people help people”. You don’t want to miss this! Social Media:...

Motivational Mike's story will do nothing but encourage you. He shares how he turned his life around and the importance of mentorship; he even gives me an idea for my next book! Bottom line is, by the end of this episode, you will be nothing less than inspired and motivated to keep pushing forward past adversity.  Contact Motivational Mike : Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-lee-...

Brittni Coe, CVA shares her thoughts on how she uses humor as the ultimate diffuser, why is it perfectly ok to admit that you don't know the answer to something and her "Yes Chef" approach to hearing out volunteers. She also shares about her own "rags to riches" story and how earning her CVA was one of her greatest accomplishments! Get ready to sit back, learn and LAUGH wi...

In this episode, Laura shares one of the most important lessons she has learned while working in a non-profit: “DON’T TAKE IT PERSONAL” She also gives great advice about how to work with and get the best out of your Board Members…WHO ARE VOLUNTEERS TOO! Enjoy!!!! Contact Laura: website: https://www.artsbizmiami.org/   LinkedIn URL https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-bruney-7110158/   Facebook: https...

In this episode, Dana shares what decades of adulthood has taught her (constructive criticism isn't really a thing) the difference between evaluation, criticism, and “actual, factual and emotionally neutral” feedback….and she dishes about stuff you never knew about her, including her run-in with the law…all PRICELESS ADVICE if you know what I mean!!! You will laugh and learn all throughout th...

In this episode, Faye talks about overcoming heartbreaking feedback regarding her weight and how she overcame it and used it to help her grow stronger.  Contact Faye website: https://fayebryant.com/   LinkedIn URL should be this: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fayebryant/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/fayebryantspeaker Twitter: https://twitter.com/rfbryant Faye Bryant: Faye Bryant is an author, coac...

In this episode, Barry divulges on leadership greatness! He talks about how giving feedback that nurtures the receiver is an art form. He presents an alternative to "firing" a volunteer and offers you an apology on behalf of your organization. Gird your loins, Barry is coming with some hard truths but with the utmost compassion and encourages you to Question Everything!  Bio: Barry Altla...

In this episode, we talk about budgeting. If your budget is $100 or $100,000 how to approach it, especially if are a new leader of volunteers and the only budget you have ever managed was your own (that's if you even have one!).  Contact Zachary:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAFinancialCoaching Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-pritchard-0a8017b0/  E-mail: zach@aafinancialc...

Faiza and Nicole sit and chat candidly about how feedback can be a double-edged sword, the importance of mentorship, and being a person of color in the beloved profession of Volunteer Management. A little more about Faiza: Faiza Venzant CVA, CVRM is the Executive Director of the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration and General Manager, Volunteer Development at the YMCA of Greater...

Corina Sadler, CVA is currently the Volunteer Resources Supervisor for the City of Plano, Texas “Volunteers in Plano” department and has worked in local government for the last 15 years. Corina and her team support staff in engaging 10,000 volunteers a year in city services. She shares her thoughts on the importance of finding a mentor and/or even becoming a mentor because we all have valuable kno...

Faiza and Nicole sit and chat candidly about how feedback can be a doubled-edged sword, the importance of mentorship, and being a person of color in the beloved profession of Volunteer Management. A little more about Faiza: Faiza Venzant CVA, CVRM is the Executive Director of the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration and General Manager, Volunteer Development at the YMCA of Greater...

Part 1 was sooo good we had to keep it going! Paula Allen, CVA, VP of Programs and Advocacy of AL!VE continues to share how she responded to a foot-stomper, a misconception about herself and feedback in an AL!VE advocacy meeting that helped lead to intentional diversification the Board and images on their website. She answers the age-old question, "What is E-Mail" and shares the beauty a...

Paula Allen, CVA, VP of Programs and Advocacy of AL!VE shares how she responded to a foot-stomper, a misconception about herself and feedback in an AL!VE advocacy meeting that helped lead to intentional diversification the Board and images on their website. She answers the age-old question, "What is E-Mail" and shares the beauty and importance of "help without judgement".  Cont...

Jaresha Moore MBA, the Founder and CEO of Empower on Purpose LLC, talks about knowing your worth, not being afraid to ask questions about feedback that you don’t understand and what to do when the team you manage is older than you. She helps us identify when we are sabotaging our own success by our internal narrative and encourages you not to let anyone’s feedback keep you from shining! Link to In...

Angela Williamson, CVA is the Community and Volunteer Relations Specialist at Blood Bank of Delmarva and Noel is the author of Job Loss, Applesauce. They share stories of heartwarming feedback that shaped their lives, feedback that made them stronger when discussing race within their organization, and tips not only on how to have difficult conversations with volunteers but how to live with hope af...

Astin Hayes, the creator of Tipoff Game App, talks about how being pleasantly persistent and not giving up on her goal has paid off well for her. She talks about the challenges of being a black female app developer and offers advice on how to give feedback to an organization that you didn't have a good experience with.  Download the app today and start playing!  https://tipoffgame.com/   @tip...

John Copeland, Director, Cultural Tourism at the Greater Miami Convention and Visitor's Bureau and former band teacher, has spent the majority of his career in the non-profit sector working with countless arts and cultural organizations in just about every department you can think of. He shares about mentorship, how to gain organizational buy-in, and the worst thing his parents ever said to h...

Corina Sadler, CAV is currently the Volunteer Resources Supervisor for the City of Plano, Texas “Volunteers in Plano” department and has worked in local government for the last 15 years. Corina and her team support staff in engaging 10,000 volunteers a year in city services. Needless to say, she has had to respond to a lot of feedback. She shares how she handles the tough feedback, but almost more...