From The Suggestion Box with Nicole R. Smith, CVA

Adams Davy Media | Nicole R Smith
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Non-Profit
  • Updated Monthly

The Suggestion Box: Navigating Feedback The Good, The Bad, and the Say Whaattt? This podcast was created to take the FEAR out of FEEDBACK! It explores how we as Volunteer Engagement Professionals respond to and manage feedback. Hear from professionals both within and outside our industry about feedback that they received and how they used it to grow their programs as well as professionally. Join Nicole and her guests as they LAUGH, LEARN, and LIVE a more fulfilling life because of the feedback you receive.

  1. Sep 15

    Amira Barger; The Price of Nice

    In this episode, Amira Barger, and I discuss her book, what it really means to lead and communicate with intention, her 12 Promising Practices, and the importance of the right Mindset, Toolset, and Skillset framework. She shares why it is important for leaders to navigate leadership in a way that is true, kind, clear, and accountable, and why feedback isn't always a gift, but more like fuel—something that can be used for good or bad—which makes it important to consider the source, intent, and how we choose to use it. We also discuss why a “Burn Book” may be a good idea for you how journaling can help you advance in your career. BIO AMIRA is an award-winning executive and author of The Price of Nice: Why Comfort Keeps Us Stuck—And 4 Actions for Real Change, a bold exploration of how “niceness” upholds inequity and a call to action for real change. Named 2024 Woman of the Year by Women Health Care Executives, Amira has also been recognized as one of 50/50 Women on Boards' Top 50 Women to Watch, Involve People’s Top 100 Executives, CMO Alliance’s Top CMOs, Top 50 Global DEI Professionals by OnConferences, Mogul’s Top 100 People Leaders, Leaderology’s Fearlessly Authentic Leaders, and Business Insider’s 30 Under 40 in Healthcare Innovation. A scholar, practitioner, and thought leader, Amira brings more than 20 years of expertise in strategic communications, mobilizing communities, influencing stakeholders, and driving action. She has global experience and has advised and led strategies for CVS Health, Eli Lilly, Walgreens, Hologic, Genentech, Pfizer, GSK/Haleon, BMS, Zoetis, Alkermes, Regeneron, Amgen, Medtronic, Children’s Miracle Network, Kaiser Permanente, First 5 Los Angeles, Covered California, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, FEMA, and California Community Colleges. A dedicated educator, Amira serves as a Professor of Marketing, Communications, and Change Management at California State University East Bay. A data-informed organizational architect, she leverages design thinking to advance equity and solve complex challenges that impact us all.   Contact: Linkedin  https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirabarger/ Resources: The Price of Nice Nicole’s Affirmation Journals

    Amira Barger; The Price of Nice

  2. Aug 18

    Leaning into the Leader You Were Designed to Be

    Leadership isn't about becoming someone else—it's about becoming more fully yourself. In this episode, we dive into a refreshing approach to leadership that challenges conventional thinking. Angela and I explore the Joyful Leadership Framework and discuss the difference between responsibility and accountability, self-awareness versus self-identity, and how your character, core values, and personal operating system shape the way you lead. We also examine the difference between your purpose and your calling, and why authentic leadership begins by embracing who you are rather than trying to become someone you're not.Connect with AngelaEmailareynolds.clpc@gmail.comLinkedinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/angey-reynolds-523a2116/

    Leaning into the Leader You Were Designed to Be

  3. Jul 5

    What HR Professionals Should Know About Leaders of Volunteers: Leaders of Volunteers in Nonprofit and Corporate are 1st Cousins

    In this episode, we discuss why HR professionals should take a closer look at leaders of volunteers for open roles, especially given their strengths in people management, culture building, training, and mission alignment. We unpack the shared skills, strategies, and leadership strengths that make volunteer engagement professionals uniquely effective across sectors. We also explore why nonprofit and corporate leaders of volunteers are cousins in practice and have far more in common than most people realize. Finally, we highlight Service Enterprise as a ready-made funding opportunity and a practical pathway for organizations looking to strengthen volunteer engagement while increasing impact. This conversation is ideal for nonprofit leaders, CSR professionals, HR teams, and anyone interested in how volunteer leadership can drive stronger organizations, better talent decisions, and greater community impact.

    What HR Professionals Should Know About Leaders of Volunteers: Leaders of Volunteers in Nonprofit and Corporate are 1st Cousins

  4. Jun 11

    Let’s Make Volunteering Hot (and go viral)

    Today, we informally talk about informal volunteering. If you are not someone who is steeped in the nonprofit or volunteer engagement world, how do you organize to do something good in your community? Travis Doobay, Chef, wanted to do just that. Learn the challenges he faced, why he changed his mind about bureaucracy in nonprofits, why support and resources for anyone who is trying organize volunteers is vital and other lessons learned on his quest to organize a community clothes drive. At the end of the day, he encourages us to “share our light”, enough for it to become a bonfire and wants to make “volunteering hot” and I am all about it.   Contact: Linkedin  https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-doobay-836666232/   Resources: Wonder Drug

    Let’s Make Volunteering Hot (and go viral)

  5. May 14

    They Call it Growing Pains for a Reason: Don’t Be Afraid to be Broken - Featuring Tray Deadwyler

    If someone told you, “You are a fish out of water and are living a fragmented life,” how would you respond? Are you sure you are a good leader? How do you know? This session will help you figure that out. We are talking about growth: Growth hurts, don’t be afraid to be pruned or broken. Honest self-assessment is vital for effective leadership. Contact: Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/traydeadwyler/ #servicenerd Thinkforgood.org lead@thinkforgood.org   Resources Braving Life Newsletter When Nice Becomes a Liability 101 Affirmations for Volunteer Administrators Bio: Tray T.S. Deadwyler, affectionately known as the “Service Nerd” by his colleagues, is the Founder and Executive Director of Think for Good and The Service Nerd Collective. With over two decades of leadership and nonprofit development experience, Tray has dedicated the majority of his career to supporting the national service movement. His civic and professional transcript spans organizations such as the American Red Cross, Atlanta Police Department, Communities in Schools, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Points of Light Foundation, AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, Angels in Distress, and Love Beyond Walls. Tray's commitment to systemic problem-solving and sustainable practices has led him to co-create a theory of change to achieve success in the seven key areas of life and leadership. He identifies strategies for enhancing outcomes, connection, retention, and application within every offering. Tray holds credentials in leadership strategy, grantsmanship, volunteer management (CVM), life coaching (CLC), and a specialty in cognitive behavioral coaching (CBC). He is also a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). As a result of his work and commitment to communities, Tray has been honored with the Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps) Innovation Award, the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, selected as one of Aspen Institute’s Nonprofit Leadership Fellows, a New Leaders Council Fellow and Georgia Forward’s Game Changers,  named one of the most influential leaders by B. Magazine and currently serving as Honorary Commander at Dobbins ARB.Think for Good, founded by Tray in 2012, is a leadership, civic engagement, and strategy consultancy supporting individuals and organizations to increase their efficacy through creative ideation, planning, training, and implementation. The organization is committed to helping clients rise above daily frustrations and find the connection points of purpose in everyday moments. Recognized for sound coaching and consulting methodologies, Think for Good's servant leadership style is the catalyst for bold decisions and bravery in life and leadership. The Atlanta native is married to Jaci with two sons-Jaiden who is currently serving in the United States Navy and Jeremiah who is becoming quite the brass musician.

    They Call it Growing Pains for a Reason: Don’t Be Afraid to be Broken - Featuring Tray Deadwyler

  6. 04/28/2025

    Is Everyone Welcome?

    Title: Is Everyone Welcome?  Description: Faiza Venzant, CVA and Mark Hager return to share updates and insights regarding their recent research study funded by AmeriCorps surrounding inclusivity. They encourage us to imagine what an environment would feel like if no one was left out and provide tools to help you bring that dream to a reality. They share advice about why you shouldn’t let fear of making a mistake keep you from starting, and  RESOURCES:  https://cvacert.org/adevi/ https://learn.volunteermatch.org/is-everyone-welcome  More About Faiza,  Connect with Faiza Venzant, CVA  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faizavenzant/   From a young age, Faiza Venzant's parents instilled a strong sense of volunteerism in herself and her two older brothers. They, as immigrants to Canada from Uganda in the early 70s made a successful transition into Canadian life with the help of many generous volunteers. A volunteer herself from a very young age, she has been an advocate for volunteer engagement and excellence in volunteer management for over 20 years.  As a facilitator for the Community Action Poverty Simulation, Faiza is passionate about equity and access amongst volunteers and leaders of volunteers. Faiza immigrated to the United States with her family in 2021.    Faiza immigrated to the United States in 2021 and now serves as the Executive Director with the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration and an active member and volunteer with Association for Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE.) She has been a CVA (Certified in Volunteer Administration) since 2016.    In 2018, Faiza published her first children’s book entitled, My Mamma Wants to Eat Me Up!  As a mother of two young boys, she has not actually eaten any of her children.    Learn more about the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration at www.cvacert.org      More About Mark  Connect with Mark Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mhager/   Mark Hager has been studying and writing about the nonprofit sector for 30 years. His doctoral dissertation centered on the reasons why nonprofit organizations closed. His years at the Urban Institute focused on studies of finance and volunteer administration. He spent 14 years as a faculty member anchoring the graduate program in nonprofit leadership and management at Arizona State University. He has stepped out of his teaching slot and is now working on research and fieldbuilding full time.  Most of his attention is back on volunteer administration, including his current leadership on Assessing Diversity and Equity in Volunteer Inclusion, a three-year project funded by AmeriCorps.

    Is Everyone Welcome?

  7. 03/10/2025

    HR For Volunteers?

    An invigorating conversation, Dr. Helen Timbrel, Rob Jackson and Chris Wade share various perspectives on the idea that “volunteer engagement professionals are just HR for volunteers”. We tackle topics such as why you rarely hear of the position of VP of Volunteer Engagement, career trajectories for Volunteer Engagement Professionals, and the age-old question, if we don’t ask HR to manage 200 people by themselves, why do we ask Volunteer Engagement professionals to do it? Resources and Contact Info: Time for Impact Podcast Episode featuring Helen, Rob and Chris  www.TimeForImpact.co.uk  www.helentimbrell.com  Contact Helen http://www.robjacksonconsulting.com    Rob Jackson Linkedin Bios: Dr Helen Timbrell - People and Organisational Development Consultant www.helentimbrell.com  helen@helentimbrell.com Helen works as a Consultant, Researcher and Coach supporting individuals and organisations to develop successful volunteer and employee experiences, and to work through change. Past clients including Guide Dogs, Stroke Association, RVS, Scouts and SSAFA. Helen previously held the roles of Director of People and Organisational Development at Samaritans and Versus Arthritis. Prior to this she was Director of Volunteering and Participation at the National Trust, where she appointed the organisation’s first Head of Diversity and Inclusion.  Helen’s PhD explored geographical variations in volunteering. She has an MBA, is a chartered member of the CIPD and holds an MSc in Coaching and Behavioural Change.  Rob Jackson – Consultant http://www.robjacksonconsulting.com    Linkedin Rob Jackson has worked in the volunteering movement for over 30 years, during which time he has led and managed volunteers and volunteering in education, advice, fundraising and children’s services settings at local, regional and national levels. Rob worked for Volunteering England for six years, most of which he spent as Director of Development and Innovation. Rob successfully generated over £3million of income, led a merger with Student Volunteering England and oversaw the delivery of a number of strategic development projects in the volunteering field. He spent six years as a member of the Institute of Fundraising’s Standards Committee and chaired the Institute’s working party which developed the UK’s first code of good practice on volunteer fundraising.  Chris Wade, Lead Volunteering Consultant Podcast Episode  www.TimeForImpact.co.uk  Chris Wade, runs a volunteerism consultancy business called [www.TimeForImpact.co.uk]Time for Impact. He has an extensive career in the charity sector that spans 28 years. He has held director, CEO and trustee positions in UK national and local charities and infrastructure bodies. He is a consultant, keynote speaker, trainer and podcaster, helping volunteering organisations large and small, in the UK and overseas. Do check out Chris's own podcast the Time For Impact Podcast.  Time for Impact’s mission is to disrupt traditional assumptions about volunteering; helping organisations tap into the latent goodwill in good causes. They drive innovative, lateral and strategic thinking to widen participation. As the name suggests, Time for Impact particularly specialises in helping organisations demonstrate and leverage the impact of volunteering.

    HR For Volunteers?

  8. 11/03/2024

    Scarcity Mindset and Uncomfortable Truths in Nonprofit with Jessica Pang-Parks

    In this episode, I sit down with Jessica Pang-Parks to dive into the challenges nonprofits face with the scarcity mindset and some uncomfortable truths about the sector. We explore how the fear of competition often holds organizations back and why embracing collaboration and partnership is the key to driving impact. Jessica shares her insights on how we can shift our mindset from scarcity to abundance, highlighting that there is enough success for everyone. We also discuss what to do when you start feeling jaded by the profession, and lastly, we cover the critical topic of setting boundaries—how protecting your time and energy can lead to better outcomes for both you and the communities you serve. Whether you're feeling a bit disillusioned or just looking for ways to strengthen your nonprofit’s approach, this conversation offers both reflection and actionable advice geared toward managing expectations of working in nonprofit. Connect with Jessica Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-pang-parks-mes-cva-31888243/  Website: https://www.learnwithjpp.com Resources from Session Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement Job Leveling Document https://www.volunteeralive.org/docs/AL!VE_Career_Pathways_for_the_VEP-Job_Leveling_Document.pdf  Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement: https://www.volunteeralive.org  Community-Centric Fundraising - https://communitycentricfundraising.org Ontario Nonprofit Network: https://theonn.ca  How to Create Effective Advisory Teams - https://nicole-r-smith-s-school.teachable.com/p/create-advisory-teams-that-move-the-mark  Effective Advisory Team Toolkit ($25.00) https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/CDCCXKFZJ8USE  Connecting the Cause: https://www.connectingthecause.com/    About Jessica Pang-Parks Jessica is highly skilled at and incredibly passionate about stewarding relationships, coaching and mentoring others and developing and improving processes. She is the recipient of the 2021 Alison Caird Young Leader Award in recognition of her leadership and excellence in volunteer engagement and the recipient of the 2023 VMPC Exemplary Leader Impact Award in recognition of her contributions to the field as a mentor, leader, trainer, and advocate.  Jessica earned her CVA credential in April 2023 and has facilitated Fleming College’s Volunteer Management: Spectrum of Engagement course since May 2022. She has held professional volunteer engagement roles at Crohn's and Colitis Canada, Pathways to Education Canada, the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Volunteer Toronto, and WWF-Canada.  ​ Jessica is privileged to work on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Learn more about Jessica at www.learnwithjpp.com.

    Scarcity Mindset and Uncomfortable Truths in Nonprofit with Jessica Pang-Parks
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The Suggestion Box: Navigating Feedback The Good, The Bad, and the Say Whaattt? This podcast was created to take the FEAR out of FEEDBACK! It explores how we as Volunteer Engagement Professionals respond to and manage feedback. Hear from professionals both within and outside our industry about feedback that they received and how they used it to grow their programs as well as professionally. Join Nicole and her guests as they LAUGH, LEARN, and LIVE a more fulfilling life because of the feedback you receive.

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