When 15 blankets arrived with messy selvage edges despite "clear" instructions, I blamed the volunteers. That was not great, but then I asked: What if the problem is my communication?

In this vulnerable episode, I share how frustration over "ruined" Binky Patrol blankets led to a profound leadership insight about expert blindness. After 30 years of nonprofit work, I discovered I've been assuming knowledge that first-time volunteers simply don't have.

Learn why I'm inviting children to critique our instructions, how to recognize when your expertise becomes a communication barrier, and practical strategies to bridge the gap between what you know and what volunteers understand.

For nonprofit leaders tired of repeating themselves or fixing well-intentioned mistakes, this episode offers a fresh perspective on volunteer guidance that transforms frustration into growth opportunities.

#NonprofitLeadership #VolunteerManagement #CommunicationSkills #ExpertBlindness

Last week, we began our conversation with Cynthia Luvlee, CEO and Founding Board Member of Shyne. If you missed that episode, I encourage you to go back and listen as we discussed the economic challenges facing vulnerable communities and how innovative organizations are responding.

Today, we continue that important conversation by exploring Shyne's revolutionary approach to supporting survivors of trafficking and exploitation. Cynthia and her unstoppable team of dedicated volunteers and employees work tirelessly to provide survivor entrepreneurs with access to small business support, mentorship, coaching, education, and capital.

They envision a new economy where survivor business owners network to maximize impact and accelerate innovative solutions. By generating equity and shifting power, they believe financial independence and freedom for all survivors is possible.

In this second part of our conversation, Cynthia shares how Shyne has reimagined support services by focusing on purpose, dignity, and entrepreneurship rather than traditional "rescue" models. We'll explore how building ongoing relationships and responsive programming has created a sustainable community where survivors design their own paths to success.

As fellow nonprofit leaders, there's so much we can learn from each other's approaches, even when our missions differ. Let's dive back into this enlightening conversation.

Listen to part 1 here: 

About our guest and Shyne:

Cynthia Luvlee

Shyne’s unstoppable team of dedicated volunteers and employees work on behalf of survivor entrepreneurs access to small business support, mentorship, coaching, education and capital. They envision a new economy where survivor business owners network to maximize impact and accelerate innovative solutions. By generating equity and shifting power, they believe financial independence and freedom for all survivors is possible. 

In this unfiltered discussion with Cynthia Luvlee, CEO and Founding Board Member of Shyne, we explore the harsh economic realities facing vulnerable communities today and how innovative approaches can create meaningful change. From skyrocketing housing costs to devastating program cuts, Cynthia offers unique insights into how these pressures particularly impact trafficking survivors.

Drawing from her extensive background in social services, Cynthia reveals why traditional support systems often fall short and how Shyne's entrepreneurship-focused model empowers survivors as leaders of their own lives rather than victims to be rescued.

This episode marks the beginning of a revealing series with Cynthia. We'll continue to explore topics including grief processing, community building, and systemic change. Join us for this candid conversation about real challenges and transformative solutions in today's complex economic landscape.

About our guest and Shyne:

Cynthia Luvlee

Shyne’s unstoppable team of dedicated volunteers and employees work on behalf of survivor entrepreneurs access to small business support, mentorship, coaching, education and capital. They envision a new economy where survivor business owners network to maximize impact and accelerate innovative solutions. By generating equity and shifting power, they believe financial independence and freedom for all survivors is possible. 

Part 2 of the Joann Panic: Finding Affordable Fleece Alternatives

Now that we know ALL Joann Fabrics are closing don’t worry—you still have great options for buying fleece at great prices with a little planning! Here are a few trusted sources that can help you continue making blankets for those in need. Thank you to Cheryl Bean TX, Marlys Vaughan, MS, and Jeanne Malgioglio, CT for these resources.

✅ Special Discount for Binky Patrol!

💰 Pricing:

Don't forget to mention Binky Patrol when reaching out!

Pico Textiles is offering bulk discounts on fleece, and they say their quality is comparable—or better—than Joann’s!

💰 Pricing:

📦 Bulk Order Details:

Check out available prints here: Pico Textiles Fleece.

They have a selection of fleece at competitive prices! Browse their selection: Marshall Dry Goods Fleece.

With a little extra planning, you can still get high-quality fleece at great prices—even without Joann Fabrics! 🧵💙

#BinkyPatrol #FleeceAlternatives #fleeceblankets #KeepCrafting

We are always trying to help our volunteers with resources. Many of you are losing your Joann Fabric stores. Some entire states are losing all stores. They are open online, but we at Binky Patrol have had ISSUES with big orders online. Here are some options. A fantastic one came in from Stan at Fleece-fabric.com.  More details in this short episode.

He says, "For our printed and solid double-brushed fleece, we will be able to ship bolts of 22 yards each for $5.76/yd with free shipping to the continental US. There is a minimum order of 2 bolts. To get this price, your volunteers should enter the coupon code BINKY2025."

Here are the links to his site:

https://www.fleece-fabric.com/categories.php?cat=3

Today we're talking with data science manager Gaurav Mittal about how tech professionals can transform nonprofits by volunteering their skills. While many organizations struggle with limited budgets and technical resources, professionals like Gaurav are showing how a few hours of volunteered expertise in data analysis, automation, or system design can help nonprofits dramatically scale their impact. Whether it's creating dashboards to better understand donor patterns, building tools to streamline operations, or developing solutions that help organizations tell their story through data, tech volunteers are helping nonprofits serve more people in need while working remotely on their own schedule. This conversation reveals how accessible and rewarding it can be to give back using the professional skills you already have.

"Any skill, whatever you have, please come forward, volunteer, and you will yourself see like you are making a huge impact." [25:20]

"You have to just give few hours, but it's going a long, long way." [24:30]

ABOUT GAURAV MITTAL:

Gaurav Mittal is a seasoned IT Manager , adept at guiding teams in developing and deploying cutting-edge technology solutions. His achievements include substantial cost savings through innovative solutions and enhancing operational efficiency. Gaurav is recognized for his leadership, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to delivering exceptional IT services aligned with organizational goals. He's published several peer-reviewed articles, spoken at international conferences, and served on multiple judging panels. His contributions extend to volunteer work with non-profits and maintaining strong academic credentials, including an MBA and various technical certifications.

Links from this episode:

https://volunteermatch.org 

https://mentormentee.com/ 

https://www.catchafire.org/profiles/2923366/about

https://x.com/GauravM85

https://binkypatrol.org/ways-to-help/ 

In this week's episode of All-Volunteer, All Heart, we're tackling a critical but often overlooked aspect of running a non-profit: managing your tech stack and subscriptions. Did you know the average non-profit wastes between $1,000-3,000 annually on unused or redundant digital tools? We'll walk through a practical audit system to help you identify what you actually need, what you're paying for but not using, and where you might be missing out on free non-profit resources. Whether you're running a small volunteer organization or managing a growing charity, these tips will help you redirect more funds to your mission instead of unnecessary tech expenses.

You may also find these episodes helpful:

AI Risk Management: A CMO's Guide to Tool Selection and Governance

EP105: Part 2 - Adopting AI Safely & Strategically

In 2012, just two days before her 16th birthday, Sunnie Carney lost her father to homicide. Through her personal journey of grief, mental health struggles, and ultimately healing, she discovered a critical gap in support services - one that affected countless children in similar situations. This revelation led her to found Children of Homicide Victims (COHV) in Kansas City, an organization dedicated to restoring hope, love, and faith to children who have lost parents to violence.

COHV serves children from infancy through age 17, with a particular focus on ages 8-16 - a developmental period already complicated by natural growth and change. These children often face misdiagnosis in school settings, where their trauma responses are mistaken for behavioral disorders. Through COHV's comprehensive support system, they receive academic assistance, mental health resources, and perhaps most importantly, a community of others who truly understand their experience.

What sets COHV apart is its team - 75% of staff members are themselves children of homicide victims. This shared experience creates an authentic connection with the children they serve, showing them living proof that their circumstances don't define their future. The organization's name, abbreviated as COVE, reflects its mission to be a protected harbor for these young souls navigating unimaginable loss.

In this powerful conversation, Sunnie shares success stories of transformation, discusses the unique challenges faced by grandparents suddenly thrust into primary caregiver roles, and explains how COHV is working to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma. Her work reminds us that while we cannot prevent every tragedy, we can create communities of support that help children not just survive their loss, but emerge as future leaders and agents of positive change.

About Sunnie Carney:

Founder, Executive Director

Sunnie was born and raised in Kansas City, MO. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2017, where she was awarded a bachelor's degree in Communications, and she is currently attending the University of Missouri-St. Louis to obtain her Masters degree in Education. Sunnie has a huge heart for children. She identifies as a child of a homicide victim. Aside from COHV, she is also a member at The Refuge KC, the Youth Director of Refuge Little League Youth Ministry. Sunnie's goal is to be the voice and the light that leads people to change and the help that transforms a wounded child's heart and mind. 

Links from this episode:

In this segment from a recent Binky Patrol meeting, Area Coordinators who participated in the MrBallen Bink-a-Thon event share strategies for volunteer recruitment. Caitlin Peterson-Woolard discusses challenges with community outreach, while experienced coordinators Susan Finch, Terrie Madruga, Kathy Taylor, and Jeanne Malgioglio offer proven solutions including:

The discussion highlights immediate tactics and long-term relationship-building for expanding their volunteer base. We hope you find it helpful! So many ideas that only take a bit of time and digging for the best contacts.

In this first episode of our special two-part series, we're taking you inside our nationwide Bink-A-Thon debrief meeting, where chapter coordinators share their heartwarming stories from this year's MrBallen Foundation event. From Meridian, Idaho to Connecticut, from Southern California to Virginia, our volunteers united in their mission to create comfort one blanket at a time.

Join Susan Finch and chapter leaders, including Kathy Taylor from Irvine/Orange County, whose partnership with Girl Scouts doubled their volunteer turnout; Jeanne Malgioglio from Connecticut, whose team completed 145 blankets for Al's Angels and the Center for Family Justice; Director Terrie Madruga, who launched a new chapter in Meridian, ID with patriotic scarves for veterans; and Caitlin Peterson-Woolard from Woodbridge/Lexington, whose Girl Scout volunteers showed incredible enthusiasm, completing 15 blankets in just 30 minutes plus the 150 made the by the rest of the group. These stories showcase the power of community service and the impact of dedicated volunteers nationwide.

Learn more about Bink-A-Thons here.

Connect with the chapters featured in this episode here:

Jeanne Malgioglio - Monroe/Trumbull, CT

Caitlin Peterson - Lexington, VA

Terrie Madruga - Meridian, ID

Kathy Taylor - Irvine, CA

Susan Finch - Beaverton, OR

Thank you to the MrBallen Foundation for sponsoring this event!