Adding another year is always cause for reflection, particularly as we are beginning our milestone 25th year in business. Debates about purity have been raging for decades. Then we disputed academic credit as personal gain for students in community service. Yet another heated discussion continues to be whether paid managers of volunteer services are somehow less worthy than volunteers themselves. It is also hard for someone in a specific type of program to get access to the wider world of resources without some effort and cost.
Competent consultants are into cross-fertilization.
Because they work with many different types of clients, they are able to identify practices that are relevant to many settings-and they are able to translate when they see in one place into the context and vocabulary of a different place. Most organizations do not give themselves enough opportunity to spend time thinking and planning. This is something of a luxury. But, when money is spent on a consultation, the organization justifies the time spent by staff in focusing, discussing, and reaching decisions on that subject. The fee somehow forces everyone to pay attention.