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From uprising to uplifting: When volunteer leadership has gone astray
Journal of Education Advancement & Marketing,
9
(4),
370-379
(2025)
Abstract
Volunteers are the lifeblood of many higher education institutions, whose limited staff and financial resources could use additional support to meet institutional needs. However, when volunteers stray from their original intentions, drastic changes need to be made to keep them from ultimately hurting an institution. This paper outlines a six-step pathway to turn volunteer uprising into an uplifting, meaningful and valuable experience for staff and volunteers. The process involves identifying overarching problems, deciding on the purpose of a volunteer group, having tough conversations with internal and external constituents, preparing proper documentation for future groups, launching the new group, and honing the power of your successful volunteers. Once completed and properly maintained, volunteer groups can be a resource to the staff and institution in furthering the engagement and philanthropy of the alumni community. Throughout the journey, staff members must avoid taking volunteers’ anger and frustration personally but always remember to do what is in the institution’s best interest, even if that means parting ways with certain volunteers. Ultimately, volunteers should be a help, not a hindrance.
Keywords: volunteer; change management; engagement; alumni; council
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Julie Ditchcreek M.Ed. serves as the Leadership Gift Officer for Athletics at Moravian University. Before her time at Moravian, Julie served in annual fund positions at Muhlenberg College (Allentown, PA) and Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA). Julie oversees fundraising efforts for Moravian Athletics and manages the Blue & Grey Committee of athletic alumni volunteers. Julie received a Bachelor of Science in sports management with a minor in world history from York College of Pennsylvania and a Master of Education in educational leadership from Lehigh University. She is a member of the York College Alumni Board and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She also volunteers at various animal welfare organisations and for events and projects hosted by York College advancement and alumni relations.
Amanda Maenza MBA serves as the Assistant Vice President of Alumni & Family Engagement at Moravian University and Theological Seminary (Bethlehem, PA) and Lancaster Theological Seminary (Lancaster, PA), overseeing the alumni engagement team. She has held positions of increasing responsibility at Moravian for the past nine years. Amanda has experience in all aspects of alumni engagement, including alumni engagement metrics, developing policies and procedures, prospect management, event planning and management, and communications. Professionally, she is a member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Master of Business Administration from Moravian University. She serves as the Vice President of Finance for the Lehigh Valley Alumnae Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha and the financial adviser to the Kappa Iota Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha.
Kristin Warner is the Associate Director of Engagement and Philanthropy at Lancaster Theological Seminary (LTS) in Lancaster, PA. Kristin has been with LTS since 2022. Her role involves coordinating initiatives, programmes and events to engage alumni with LTS to cultivate and inspire giving. Kristin also oversees the Moravian Theological Seminary (MTS) Alumni Council and events that engage MTS alumni in the Lancaster area. Kristin received a Bachelor of Science in marketing from York College of Pennsylvania. Before coming to LTS, Kristin worked in development, community engagement, marketing, youth ministry and international trade. Kristin is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and serves on the board of Emily’s Care Closet in Central Pennsylvania. She also volunteers with various non-profit organisations.
