Wendy Biro-Pollard is a Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA), speaker, facilitator and consultant with over 30 years of practical experience.

  • Organizing special events
  • Marketing products and services
  • Raising funds
  • Leading nonprofit boards and associations
  • Managing programs
  • Chairing local, state and national conferences
  • Directing successful volunteer programs

Wendy has led hundreds of workshops and seminars for individuals in the public and private sector, for state and national associations, and for national service and faith-based programs.

Nonprofit Management

alt text Working for the Earth

I’m sure this speech is making the rounds.  May this posting  provide inspiration and hope to all of you who inspire and serve.   The text speaks for itself! PAUL HAWKEN’S COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS                                              Class of 2009, University of Portland, May 3rd, 2009 “Working for the earth is not a way to get rich, it is a way to be rich.” When I was invited to give this speech, I was asked if I... [Read more of this article]

alt text GuideStar Survey: Hard Times for Charitable Organizations

May 2009 Last November, when we reported on the results of our annual nonprofit economic survey, we warned, “Fasten Your Seatbelts: It’s Going to Be a Bumpy Giving Season.” As 2008 ended and 2009 began, we saw a deluge of news reports about the economy’s impact, including its effect on nonprofits. Given the severity of the downturn and the number of stories about organizations adversely affected by it, we decided to do a follow-up nonprofit economic survey. We invited Newsletter... [Read more of this article]

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Volunteer Management

alt text National Council on Citizenship reports Civic Depression

Although this study was released in August 2009, the information gleaned from this survey is as relevant as ever. A study released in August 2009 by the National Council on Citizenship (NCOC) indicates that Americans began reducing their volunteer hours when the unemployment rate hit 9 to 10 percent. According to David B. Smith, NCOC executive director, “Prior recessions have prompted an increase in volunteerism, but only to the point that the unemployment rate reaches a “threshold.” ... [Read more of this article]

alt text Seventy-nine million boomers will change the world – again

(ARA) – Changing the world is not an easy assignment – but baby boomers did it once and they’ll do it again. They tackled civil rights and women’s rights and ushered the country into the digital age of communication and entertainment media. They demanded better health care and more efficient automobiles. They worked alone and worked together to influence both their neighbors and their political leaders. Their list of achievements over the past 60-plus years is undeniably remarkable. The... [Read more of this article]

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Recruitment & Marketing

Add Tech Volunteers to Your Team

It’s almost impossible to effectively recruit and manage volunteers today without fully engaging technology.  Successful volunteer managers increasingly… • Use volunteer management software to streamline their operations • Maximize their organization’s website by posting volunteer applications, newsletters, position descriptions, photos,  videos, and more • Utilize social networking sites • Post and update volunteer positions... [Read more of this article]

Giving Is Good For Your Health

(ARA) – During times of economic downturn, you may have to dig a bit deeper into your pockets to make charitable contributions. However, you can still end up better off. In addition to the tax breaks giving can bring, as it turns out, giving is also good for your health. “Several studies over the years have found links between altruistic behavior and improved physical and psychological health,” says Dr. Ann Vincent, an internal medicine physician... [Read more of this article]

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Fund Development

alt text Volunteers Are An Excellent Source Of Fundraising Ideas

This Tip of the Week is reprinted with permission from The Nonprofit Times Weekly. Go to http://nptimes.com for more information. Do you have so much to do for your capital campaign, with so little time? Think about including your most zealous volunteers in your fundraising program, according to Michael J. David-Wilson, executive director for the Middlesex County College Foundation in Edison, N.J. Why not use your best supporters to cultivate other organization members? David-Wilson presented his... [Read more of this article]

alt text Fundraising Planning – A Vital Key To Nonprofit Success

As a professional grant writer and consultant, I am often amazed at how few nonprofit organizations actually have a fund development plan beyond a vague idea of applying for a few grants and sending out an annual appeal letter. Recognizing that lack of planning, I am not amazed at how often these same organizations have rounds of emergency budget cuts when they realize that they have no assured streams of income. Very typical is the agency that has received a large grant to run their programs for... [Read more of this article]

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Board Development

alt text Speed Up the Board Recruitment Process!

Imagine getting excited about volunteering for something, and then waiting six or seven months before you actually get to do it. Can we accelerate the process by “pre-qualifying” candidates? One of the most frustrating parts of board recruitment is the length of time — often months — between talking with a prospect and then bringing him onto the board . . . months during which the candidate usually becomes less interested. For instance, a person might be tentatively asked... [Read more of this article]

Default Thumbnail Decision Making For Nonprofit Boards

Many nonprofit organizations struggle, quite understandably, with technology planning and investment. New computers, sophisticated websites and database systems can be expensive. Staff members may be resistant to change and to learning new applications. But, to quote a famous saying from my homeland: “penny wise can be pound foolish”. Sound and well-thought out purchases in the short term have the potential to save significant resources in the medium to long term. So, how should your... [Read more of this article]

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