Do You Have Triple Crown Award-Winning Volunteers?

I have worked with hundreds of volunteers in my career. I love volunteers because they freely enter the world of a charity with the intent of helping an organization grow and serve its constituents.

That said, I am continually disappointed that many volunteers just don't get it. Many individuals never make financial donations to the charity they serve. I'm not talking about a $1,000 or more gift. I'm talking about a gift of any amount. Other volunteers may make personal financial gifts but never open a door for others to engage or learn more about the organization. When you have a special event, do you have people sign up but never show?

Many say they are too busy; some fear that if they engage someone to help your charity, others will want them to help their charities in return. For other non-staff members, another calendar year may roll by without attending a single charity-sponsored event. How can a volunteer gain understanding and a passion for the mission of a charity when he never sees people helped by the charity? In addition, if a volunteer doesn't attend an event, how can she invite others to join the party?

In Major League Baseball, a player earns the Triple Crown Award when he leads a league in three specific statistical categories during one specific season. When used without a modifier, the Triple Crown generally refers to a batter who leads either the National or American League in batting average, home runs and runs batted in over a full regular season. The Triple Crown has been accomplished 17 times, most recently in 2012 by Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers. Prior to 2012, Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox did it in 1967. The Triple Crown is not easy to achieve, but it represents achievement in three areas at the same time.