Merrill Associates

As we celebrate International Volunteer Manager Appreciation Day on December 5th, I am reminded of a speech given by Dr. Jean Houston at the 1993 International Conference on Volunteer Administration. I have never forgotten her wordsas she called volunteer administrators "hard-headed advocates of the potential we all have."

In her remarks Dr. Houston identified volunteer administrators as members of an emerging new field. She defined us as the "enablers" and "ennoblers" of others; the "evocators of the possible." She predicted that in the 21st century our profession would be one of the two or three most important professions in the world. Dr. Houston termed volunteer administrators "social artist" saying:

"You give to others their greatest of gifts-you give them back their giftedness. You offer the lure of becoming."

Dr. Houston identified four factors that have brought us to where we are:

• Planetization-a greater awareness of our global interconnectedness. "A mindset that is open to sharing in the collective mindscape of the world."
• A time of absolute deconstruction of everything-a breaking down of everything that is around us that is leading to a period of tremendous reconstruction. "This is giving rise to worldwide volunteer corps and the increased orchestration of volunteer all over the world." The emphasis is on process, not the end product.
• Revolution in aging-our concepts of young, middle age and old are changing. Today young means 18 - 40. The newest concept of middle age is 55 - 75. We are approaching the time when we will spend the largest part of our life being "old." However, medical advancements are slowing down the physical aging process and people will be "more complex, richer, more fascinating, deeper at 75 and 80 than at 50."
• Revolutions in the understanding of potential-the recognition that "there are levels and layers and dimensions of beingness, frames of mind and modes of intelligence that most of us do not tap." In the volunteer management field we are seeing people who think and feel in different ways."People who did not find their place are being called forth to find a new place. People are wandering into volunteerism to find their full potential."

Volunteer administrators have been "called into the profession because of phenomenal qualities of empathy, spirit, pattern recognition, and a rich emotionalcomplexity to be able to call people forth." Volunteer managers can "see the local things that need to be done, but they can also be the dreamers and visionaries and have a larger picture."

As social artists volunteer mangers:

• Are the stewards of the process of change
• Can develop the 95% untapped potential in others
• Can move between cultures (within organizations), calling other into being
• Will try to get people to move into collaborative networks and away from hierarchical structures
• Will create lifelong teaching and learning communities
• Will be there to see the trends and the emergence of new patterns
• Will be the paradigm pioneers
• Will help people and organizations find their vision
• Will look to find each person's potential and call itforth

These words were spoken almost ten years ago and yet I believe they define the great potential of our profession.

Responding to these words a small group of AVA members commissioned a Kentucky artist to design a pin depicting the social artist theme. Lynn Hall creatively designed an open hand outstretched over the top of the world, uniquely framed in the outline of an eye. Lynn said: "Volunteer administrators have a vision: a global vision. It is a desire and a drive to make a difference, and to help others make a difference. By working together and by teaching others to do the same, they will leave their personalized work in this world."

I hope that all volunteer managers will reflect upon these wonderful words of Dr. Houston and realize that they are part of a wonderful, growing profession that has the vision and power to change our world. Your handprint is linked with handprints around our globe, and you are leaving your mark as a social artist.

Dr. Jean Houston is the director of the Foundation for Mind Researchand Co-Director of the Human Capacities Training Program. She holds two doctorates: Psychology and Philosophy of Religion. She is an author, worldwide lecturer, researcher, dramatic actress and visionary.