What Are Your Volunteers' Stories?

Recently, we were preparing a collection of stories to share with a campaign steering committee. They were profound stories of mission impact that moved the heart, and stressed the importance and urgency of the fundraising campaign’s end results.

Then the CEO reminded us, “The most important thing is to see if our volunteers have their own experiences, their own stories to share.”

Don’t get so caught up in your organizational stories that you don’t take time to listen, to ask and to understand the incredible volunteers, donors and staff that you are so fortunate to connect with.

Learn about what motivates them. Learn about their experiences with your organization.

And draw out any experiences that can shine light on and enrich the story of the great, big goal that is so critically important to your mission.

Then, help them feel comfortable in sharing their experiences.

Our best work as storytellers is to empower others to share their own stories that they can relay with passion, and that are meaningful to them and to the worthy goals they are working so hard to achieve.

Don’t just put volunteers or donors in your story. Help them find their own.