Seasons Greetings

Well what a fantastic year it has been and we look forward to an even bigger and better one next year.

We hope you have a lovely holiday season and enjoy the Christmas and New Year festivities.

See you in 2014.

Why Do People Volunteer?

Although volunteering is a term dating back to the middle of the 18^th century, it is a thriving practice in the modern world. People all around the world volunteer for certain causes and events and a lot of charities and activities are constantly recruiting volunteers.

Have you ever wondered why people volunteer?

Certainly volunteering has a lot of advantages. For example, volunteers notice an increase in their self-esteem, feeling that they are doing something good and making a difference. Moreover, a lot of people volunteer to do things they like, which means that they are having some fun while doing it. It also brings them into the company of new friends and acquaintances who are connected by the commitment to the same good cause.

Of course, there are other reasons that make people volunteer. For example, volunteering is now widely recognised as a strong point on one’s resume, university or job application. Moreover, by participating in certain activities, volunteers develop various professional and personal skills that may come handy in their later life and career. Working in teams may also have benefits for the volunteers, improving their social skills and leadership qualities.

We should not forget that lots of the events recruiting volunteers aim to make the world a better place to live. This is surely a strong motivation for a lot of volunteers, who are up for bringing about social change and improving the world. Working for a charity or an organisation with a good cause certainly looks like a good way to spend your free time instead of wasting it.

Of course, there may also be other reasons why people volunteer; the reasons are different for everyone. When asked about why they participate, volunteers share various reasons; for example, because they were asked, because they wanted to impress someone, to relax or take their mind off of something or because they wanted to help people.

Volunteers are amazing people who make a significant difference to the world. Let’s make sure we appreciate them.

Why Treasurers And Accountants Aren’t Really Boring

Are you one of those people who think treasurers and accountants are boring? Well, you are not the only one. People all over the world share your opinion and tend to assume that accountants and treasurers are more effective than the average sleeping pill.

So we decided to bust this myth and to give you some reasons why treasurers and accountants aren’t really boring.

1. First of all, these people work with money! They have money (or data related to money) in their hands every day, day after day, for their whole life. Without acting like materialists, how can anything related to money be boring? Surely a lot of people have dreamt of having a job that fills their hands and lives with money! Well, that’s what accountants and treasurers have.
2. Now take treasurers as a group. The name of their profession comes from ‘treasure’. How can anything related to treasure be boring? We grew up with books like ‘Treasure Island’ and filled the cinemas to watch ‘The Pirates of the Caribbean.’ These stories showed us people looking for treasure, but if you are a treasurer you get to find and guard the goods all the time.
3. A lot of accountants and treasurers in fact have favourite accountancy jokes and are happy to share them with us: ‘An accountant is a person who doesn’t have the charisma to be an Undertaker’ or ‘Q: Why are they putting the accountants at the bottom of the ocean? A: They found out that deep down they are not so bad.’
4. In fact, a lot of accountants or treasurers are just ordinary people with a great sense of humour who just happen to be interested in the things that we don’t want to bother with. Thank heavens for their perseverance and intelligence! Without them, we would be forced to deal with our own money or lack of it. Luckily someone has an eye on the numbers for us.

If you are not yet convinced that accountants and treasurers are not boring at all, check out this funny post with the typical Monty Python spin on it: http://whatdoclientsreallywant.com/are-accountants-boring/.  You just might change your mind!

Are You Seeking Professionals?

If you are a non-profit, governmental agency, or other institution, it can be difficult to find volunteers for your organisation, especially if you need a volunteer with a highly specialised skill set, such as that of a treasurer, secretary, or other professional.  According to a study by The Australian Society for Association Professionals, the members of many organisations are increasingly turning to their associations as their leading source for news and information about their industry, and these same members expect their groups to be a source of authority, a voice for influence within their profession. So now, more than ever, the professional qualifications and abilities of the person that your organisation selects counts more than ever.

How can you find great candidates to fill your group’s volunteer positions?  The answer may be as close as your next Tweet or targeted Facebook ad.

Today’s busy professionals are increasingly turning to social media to stay connected with the persons, places, things and even products and businesses that they care about.  Why should the associations and organisations that they are involved with be any different?  Social Media can be an incredibly efficient, low cost way of advertising a product or a position.  To be effective, you will want to keep the following tips in mind when you are using social media to locate your next recruit and get them to commit.

Have A Clear Online Presence Before You Advertise Your Position

Before you tell the world that you are seeking volunteers for your organisation, make certain that your association already has a website that clearly states its goals and mission and provides information about the sort of work that your group does.  Having a link on your group’s site that lists the benefits of volunteering with you, as well as contact information for potential recruits, can be very helpful to your efforts to find qualified volunteers.

Utilise Social Media Tools To Your Best Advantage

Facebook and other social media outlets often have tools to help you find out what members and other individuals are already saying about your group.  Oftentimes you can find a qualified volunteer simply by looking at those individuals who frequently like and comment on the status updates of your organisation, and Facebook offers you the ability to target your help wanted ads to those individuals so that you can ensure that you are controlling your ad costs and only targeting those with an interest in your cause.  Other social media tools, such as Google Search, can help you find individuals who are already interested in your group’s mission but who may not yet be affiliated with your association.

You can discover more helpful tips about how to use social media to find your next treasurer or other volunteer professional in this recent article at the online magazine, Third Sector.

The Results Of The 2013 Associations Matter Study

The results of the 2013 Associations Matter Study have just been released and they are interesting reading. The survey has found that there is likely to be an increase in demand for professional associations in the near future.

The AuSAE states that “Whilst members still join for networking opportunities and the credibility that membership affords them, the study found that their main reason for joining is for access to relevant information - they are looking to their association to be the leading, authoritative source of news about their profession.

Additionally, the study found that members also want their association to promote their profession to the general public and advocate for qualified, accredited professionals.”

The findings show that members want their association to provide clear leadership and education in their fields.  Up and coming members are looking to gain professional standing and credibility by joining an association.  The collection and dissemination of current knowledge and information is going to be vital to the association’s success.

As a volunteer treasurer, how concerned are you at having professional recognition for what you do?  Would it be tempting to join an association which gave you a form of certification and education?

What sort of education or leadership would you expect from your professional association? 

Social Media Strategy For Non Profits

Social media for non profit organisations can be extremely beneficial particularly in terms of fundraising and creating an awareness of new projects or plans.  Whether you use Facebook, Twitter or some other method the key is to interact and engage with the followers on the page to ensure that the information is being circulated to the widest audience as possible.  A multi-channel campaign – ie a campaign that involves many avenues for awareness and fundraising is the best bet for non-profit organisations as you have more chance of your information being seen and acted upon.

Often just starting out in social media can be the most difficult so you want to ensure that your staff, volunteers, friends and family support the work that you are doing.  Get them to spread the word about your campaign in the first instance so your information has a chance to be noticed.

 

Another great tip is to link up all your social media profiles with your website and include them in your newsletter and emails and other marketing avenues you have working for you.  You don’t want to waste any opportunity when it comes to letting people know that you are active online.

As part of your social media strategy, once you have it up and running, you will need to allocate a person or persons to post on and monitor the social media accounts daily to maximise the benefits and answer any questions that your supporters may have.

While getting donations may be important to your cause, social media has many other great benefits as well.  You will find that once you have a solid support network up and running through your social media avenues, it will be easier to get new campaigns off the ground and recruit volunteers for your next project as your fans are already supportive to your cause and will be keen to help in any way possible. 

End of Financial Year - Changing Roles

 

The end of the Financial Year is enough to drive most volunteer treasurers crazy but sometimes it is the time a treasurer chooses to resign from the role.  He or she can resign knowing they’ve completed their year’s end work satisfactorily.

 

While the focus for most committees is getting the financial reports completed on time and dealing with audits, others may also need to look for a replacement treasurer.

Throughout this blog we have shared information which will come in useful at this time.  Here are the posts we think are most important.

First of all, consider your public speaking skills.  Not only will you need them when you present your reports, you’ll need them to help recruit your replacement.  How good are your public speaking skills?

Finding volunteers isn’t easy although most small committees tend to recruit on the spot.  Unfortunately that often means someone is pressured into accepting the role.  You really need someone who is committed to the role so consider scouting for new recruits regularly.  You never know when you might need them and it’s a great way to introduce them to the organisation before they accept a role.  If you know you will be leaving, find your replacement before you go.

Handing over to the new treasurer should not be a complex job.  Arrange to meet with the new treasurer so you can provide an overview of the finances of the organisation as well as to discuss any other issues.

Now, if you happen to be taking over the role and you’ve never been a treasurer before, you will find a lot of useful information on our sister blog at Admin Bandit.  Starting from the very basics, the posts will help you settle into your role and comfortably take control.

Good luck with the end of Financial Year fun!

The New Financial Year Is Looming

Are you ready for the new year?  Today we want to remind you of those tasks that need to be completed about now so you can wrap up the old and be ready for the new.

Review your budget and plan for the next year.  How well did your current budget work for you?  Did the money arrive when needed and was it used well?  Were there any gaps in cash flow that you need to prepare for in the future?   Were there any sources of income that you missed out on that you could mark on your financial calendar for the new year?

Have your goals and objectives changed for the new year?  Every business evolves over time and changes to meet new priorities and the social and economic demands of the time.  Not For Profits are no different. Have your goals changed lately? Check that the work you are doing (and the way you are doing it) is still leading you where you need to go.

Is your current accounting system working for you?  If you are still running your books manually or with a labour intensive process consider changing to a streamlined and transparent process such as Admin Bandit’s online system.

Arrange your annual audit.  This will be a busy time of year for most auditors so book your auditor well in advance if you can.

Prepare your accounts.  Your auditor will need to see your reports and accounts such as your assets and liabilities, and your income and expenditure. Make sure everything is properly documented so that you can produce evidence if required.

Prepare your annual report.  The primary purpose of your annual report is the presentation of financial information. Take the opportunity to show your organisation in action so people can actually see the money and what it is achieving.  This will help you when you need to ask for donations in the new year.

Organise your AGM.  There is a legal requirement to hold an AGM no matter how small your organisation is.  Don’t just use it to talk about funding and finance. While it’s essential to present your financial reports to your members, it’s also a good time to show them what successes you’ve had during the year. Read more about making your AGM work for you at the Admin Bandit website.

For more information on preparing for the end of the financial year, visit our earlier posts here and here. 

You Are Never Too Old To Volunteer

Walk into most op shops and you’ll be greeted by a woman in her ripened years. She’ll readily help you find what you need, rifling through boxes of clothes or sorting through kitchen utensils in her bid to assist.

 

It is a common perception that this job is restricted to ‘old ladies’ or, quite the opposite, that this is the only role these women can fulfil.

 

With 6.4 million people volunteering across Australia, it’s the Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) who do the most.

 

With more life and work experience than the younger generations, older people bring a range of skills that make them perfect to cover all manner of volunteer roles that are otherwise hard to fill.

 

Although hands on roles, such as volunteering at a local nursing home, community garden or Scout group feels more important, becoming a member on a community board is just as important. These board roles require different skill sets, from treasurer to fundraising and events coordinator, looking to make things happen or change the local community for the better.

Regardless of your skills you’ve developed over your lifetime, and whether you prefer hands on manual work, working with people, or managing the finances or ensuring the behind the scenes runs smoothly, your volunteering brings attributes organisations can’t access from the younger generations.

You have the power to change the world you’re living in for the better, and to leave a better community for younger generations.

In The Deep End

It happens all the time, especially in smaller organisations.

The silence is deafening.  Everyone suddenly looks at the floor as though their shoes were the most fascinating things on earth.

Someone ends up volunteering for the role of treasurer simply because no one else will do it.

Great.  The position is filled but soon you realise that the new treasurer has no idea what they are doing.  Even the calculator is a foreign object to your volunteer.

So what do you do?

Don’t panic.  Admin Bandit is your solution.  When it comes to saving committees and their treasurers, you can’t go past the clever online system.



Click to find out more about Admin Bandit.

Not for Profit Conference 2013

I recently mentioned in an Admin Bandit blog post, details of the Third Sector Expo that takes place in Melbourne between 15 – 16 April.  Another event that you should consider attending is the Not for Profit Conference that is being run by CPA Australia.  This 2 day event will take place middle to late March in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Queensland.  Follow the link for more details including the cost, dates and location for each state.

The main focus of this conference relates to the changes that are taking place in the not for profit sector.  Representatives from the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission will provide valuable insights, advice and information that will help you adapt to many of the upcoming changes.  Whether you are a small community based organisation or an overseas international aid charity you need to be aware of these changes and how they impact on your organisation.

This conference will also have many workshops and speakers covering a range of topics including governance, raising funds when governments are reducing grants, financial reporting, FBT and salary packaging.  In addition, on the second day of the conference there is a workshop specifically focussed on the duties and legal responsibilities of officers and directors in the not for profit sector.

Follow the link to the Not for Profit Conference for more details and consider attending this worthwhile event.  For a volunteer treasurer or a committee of management member, this conference will not only provide a range of valuable resources and information but the opportunity to meet others in the not for profit sector so you can build your network. 

How Your Blog Can Support Your Fundraising Efforts

Board meetings can be long and dull, particularly if you are focussing on some of the tough financial issues every not for profit organisation has to deal with.  The problem is that these kinds of tasks suck your energy and stifle your creativity.

It’s difficult to find a way to inspire people to support your charity when all you can think of are numbers.

That’s where your blog can be very useful.  The organisation’s blog is the perfect vehicle for spreading the message about what you do and why you do it.  As volunteer treasurer you should be involved in creating posts which show what happens to the money that people donate.

Take a look at the Starlight Foundation blog as an example.

What’s good about it?

·         It’s filled with photos which tell a story about the people they are helping.

·         It takes readers right into the lives of the children who need the help.

·         It shows their corporate successes and acknowledges their big benefactors.

·         It shows the volunteers actively helping people.

·         It introduces members of the team.

·         It is filled with personality and touches of humour.

Can you imagine how influential that blog could be for someone looking for a charity to support?  It touches every emotion you can think of plus it builds faith in the commitment of its workers.

As a volunteer treasurer you know where the money is being spent and why.  You know when your not for profit is going to need extra funding and you will know when to celebrate success and share it with your followers.  This can be used to help you plan the kind of posts you need to share and their timing.

The volunteer treasurer role isn’t just about counting and managing the money that comes in; it also involves inspiring people to donate.

If you don’t have a blog which tells the story of the work your not for profit organisation does, why not suggest starting one?