Volunteer offices in the non-profit world are all vying for a small slice of the community volunteer pool. This presentation will explain how to recognize volunteers for their impact. Sometimes volunteer positions are very tangible to measure, sometimes the intangible touch they provide is what we as leaders need to highlight. Volunteers mostly give of themselves, and that gift is not measurable by only hours served or captured in surveys, but is also measured in the way volunteers impact your organization. We will always have volunteer opportunities and positions that need filled. However, let’s start to capture and highlight the impact volunteers provide. The impact of volunteerism. The VIMPACT. The smile we cannot measure, the helping hand that they provide, the loyalty to our organization, the experience/skills that they bring. The volunteer impact is priceless and the difference the volunteers provide, immensely and unequivocally immeasurable.
Linda Fisher is the Regional Director for Guest Services for UCHealth in Northern Colorado. This role encompasses volunteer services, guest services, retail operations, spiritual care, and parking management. Linda started with hospital volunteers in 1990 working exclusively with Auxiliaries. In 2000, she was recruited to oversee and rebuild a hospital volunteer program in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. In 2006, she was hired by Poudre Valley Health System, now UCHealth, to start the Medical Center of the Rockies hospital volunteer and guest program. In 2015, her level of responsibility expanded to Poudre Valley Hospital and in 2020 for Greeley Hospital.
Linda received her master’s degree from Regis University. Linda also received her CAVS certification in 2014. Linda was the 2021-2023 co-chair of the Beryl Institute volunteer professional community and continues as an active member of this group. She also serves on the patient experience advisory board. Linda was the 2019 President of AHVRP which was the national organization for healthcare volunteers through the American Hospital Association. Linda has also had the privilege to serve on various boards involving volunteer management, fundraising or team dynamics.
