I am their conscience they don’t wish to be reminded of their deeds of how they made wives widows and children orphans. These I try to look out for when I watch city late at night when people sleep; invisible, I merge with shades never seen, never heard. But then I have to retire to fields once more to be with elements where my adopted name Raven, was sung and is still being sung by creation.

I am messenger and I will prick their conscience breathing my message songs into air to be carried by wind to them in their beds that they may wake to look for me and they will not find me. But instead will find signposts and directions to where my covers lie. For I have undertaken a journey, a pilgrimage to that jagged hill to exert my soul, re-channel my thoughts. And when I do come down from that summit world will be bright, again.

(Excerpted from “Without a Name” a collection of poems by Val K, coming soon.)

Val K is a poet, and a nature lover. A collection of his poems "Without a Name" will soon be published by AuthorHouse, U.S.A. For personal contact, send mails to: leviathandepthsreturns@yahoo.com

Define Roles - Match needs of your organization with volunteer's skills and availability by including it in those written volunteer position's description.

Move people around - Unless you have a good reason not to switch roles, put new people (with a good track record) in those organizational roles that will move your fundraiser forward. Do this ahead of time. Provide proper training.

The early bird gets “volunteer” - Let community know early and often about what volunteers you need. Recruit more volunteers than you think you will need. This way, no one feels overworked. And of course, those volunteers will be able to pick up slack in event others don’t follow through as expected. Have volunteer sign-up forms at every event and meeting your organization hosts.

Recruit a volunteer to be volunteer coordinator - A strong communicator that will help assign and place volunteers would be best choice. Some people are a natural for this key role.

Set realistic goals - Break those goals down into what's needed from each sub-group. Tell them consequences of their participation as well as what could happen if they don’t follow through. Let volunteers know importance of their roles and what's in it for them. Reward volunteers based upon their individual and group success.

© 2005 - Heidi Richards