Because of the global pandemic and the drastic way our work, volunteering and social lives have been altered, volunteers are stressed. Employees at nonprofits are stressed. Consultants at nonprofits are stressed. WE’RE ALL STRESSED.

The changed types and degrees of workload, the increased demands on most nonprofits, the dire financial crisis at most nonprofits – it’s causing anxiety to be at an all-time high.

“The onslaught of bad news is so relentless, it begs the question: How do we cope with it all?” Also, “positivity that isn’t grounded in reality… can actually poison your expectations,” as this article from October 15 from Fast Company notes. The article, How to inspire your team during a crisis without falling into toxic positivity, also offers realistic advice that can be helpful in your work with volunteers (and everyone). It’s written by the CEO of an agriculture tech company.

Also see:

How not to treat volunteers: another saga.

Your right to turn away volunteers who won’t adhere to safety measures (& your right to refuse to volunteer at an unsafe program).

You do not need to meet via video conference with every potential volunteer.