Volunteer Plain Talk, the podcast is coming! I’m crazy excited because the new Volunteer Plain Talk podcast will launch next Wednesday, September 25th (barring any unforeseen barriers–yep, we leaders of volunteers are always prepared for the unexpected). It’s in the final stages of production right now. I think podcasting is a perfect medium for discussing all things volunteer management and I hope you think so too. The first episode features an interview with awesome Mark. W. Smith, the Volunteer Resources Manager at Project Angel Heart in Denver Colorado (and a huge thank you to Mark; he is not only funny, but full of heart and wisdom too).

Mark is a volunteer engagement professional with over 15 years of experience and has worked with volunteers in arts and culture, senior services, and nutrition. Currently, Mark serves on the executive committee and as a board member for AL!VE, (Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement) and is in his seventh year as the Volunteer Resources Manager at Project Angel Heart, a nutrition organization that prepares and delivers nutritious meals to individuals living with a life threatening illness in the Denver metro area. In 2018, Mark was chosen as a keynote speaker and session presenter for the Colorado Conference on Volunteerism. In 2016, Mark received his Certified Volunteer Administration (CVA) certification and completed the Points of Light Foundation’s Volunteer Management Training Series (VMTS) course. Mark served nine years on the Denver DOVIA (now DOVIA Colorado) board of directors, three years on the Colorado Conference on Volunteerism steering committee, and three years on the National Philanthropy Day in Colorado steering committee.

Some highlights from our interview include:

• hey, that volunteer left her post!
• what rungs on the ladder do volunteer managers work from?
• eating the frog on Monday.
• everyday burnout.
• advancing the profession.

Next week I’ll publish the places to find the podcast and I hope you’ll consider subscribing. Please listen in as Mark and I celebrate volunteers, volunteer programs and all of you out there who are great leaders of volunteers.

-Meridian