Nicole R. Smith, CVA·May 6What I Learned From My Cousin’s DIY Community Clothes DriveRecently at a family dinner, my cousin mentioned he was putting together a clothing drive for community members. In my Volunteer Engagement…
Nicole R. Smith, CVA·Apr 29Board Members are Volunteers TooIn my years as a Volunteer Engagement Professional, there is this fascinating intrigue surrounding board members. When you work in…
Nicole R. Smith, CVA·Jan 18A Different View of the Table: 8 Reasons Why Board Service Matters for the Volunteer Engagement…I was introduced to board service when a colleague suggested I replace him as our organization’s representative on a local community arts…
Nicole R. Smith, CVA·Sep 7, 2025Accountability Doesn’t Have to Suck: 7 Tips for Becoming A Better Team PlayerNo one will dispute the importance of having a “difficult conversation.” There are many books, webinars, workshops and trainings on the…
Nicole R. Smith, CVA·Sep 5, 2025Three Important Lessons I Learned from Volunteering With FIFAIt was the last game in our city, and as we waited to enter the stadium in the holding area, I was just taking it all in. After several…
Nicole R. Smith, CVA·Aug 25, 2025Herding Cats My Foot; Think Conducting an Orchestra Instead.It’s often been said that managing volunteers is like herding cats (usually coupled with a few chuckles afterwards). In the wake of recent…
Nicole R. Smith, CVA·Aug 21, 2024Effective Capacity Building With InternsInterns can bring immeasurable value and build substantial capacity for an organization. Additionally, if you design a program well…
Nicole R. Smith, CVA·Jun 28, 2024Feedback Is My Favorite “F” WordIn the day and age of trying to improve programs, feedback can be the new “F” word. It can be uncomfortable, even hurtful, but it is the…
Nicole R. Smith, CVA·Jun 23, 2024If Asked, Would Your Team Say You Are a “Good” Manager?4 Tips for Navigating Feedback
Nicole R. Smith, CVA·May 19, 2024The Plight of Transferable SkillsAs much as I love nonprofit, with the fierce competition for employment and volunteer engagment roles few and far in-between, I am having…
