All Volunteer, All Heart from Binky Patrol

Susan Finch, founder of Binky Patrol, discusses the importance of having a cohesive branding package for nonprofit organizations looking to scale up. She shares insights from her own experience, highlighting the need for consistent messaging, logos, fonts, and phrasing across all chapters and volunteers. Susan also touches on the benefits of streamlining processes, such as providing digital patterns and outsourcing printing, to save time and money. By creating a comprehensive branding guide, nonprofits can ensure that their volunteers have the tools they need to represent the organization effectively and maintain a strong, recognizable brand. Whether you're a small nonprofit just starting out or an established organization looking to grow, this episode offers valuable advice on the power of branding and the steps you can take to create a cohesive brand identity.

Overall takeaways:

1. A cohesive branding package is essential for nonprofits looking to scale up and maintain a strong, recognizable brand identity.

The Binky Patrol branding guide sample covered in this episode (PDF)

In the second half of the conversation, Fran Morgan and Donna Robertson from Fabric Cafe share their passion for quilting and discuss the importance of passing down the love for sewing to younger generations. Fran expresses her wish to continue producing excellent books and patterns while expanding their reach to younger quilters, ensuring the craft thrives. The hosts discuss how sewing skipped a generation but is now making a comeback, with people learning through YouTube and other resources. They also touch on the growing trend of repurposing and reusing materials, turning old items into beautiful new creations. Fran and Donna share advice for those who have inherited fabric stashes and those who want to learn to quilt, suggesting they contact local quilt guilds or organizations for guidance and support.

Links from this episode:

Fabric Cafe

3-yard Quilts

Fabric Cafe on YouTube

Fabric Cafe on Instagram

National Bink-A-Thon October 19

In this heartwarming episode of All Volunteer, All Heart from Binky Patrol, host Susan Finch sits down with the dynamic duo behind Fabric Cafe, Fran Morgan and Donna Robertson. Discover how their passion for quilting led them to leave corporate America and build a thriving business that inspires creativity and joy in the quilting community. Explore the power of quilting to bring people together, create a sense of community, and make a difference in the lives of others. Learn about Fabric Cafe's mission to keep quilting simple, fast, and fun, making it accessible to beginners and experienced quilters alike. Join Susan, Fran, and Donna as they discuss the versatility of quilting, the importance of communication with their audience, and the incredible growth of their YouTube channel since the start of the pandemic. Get ready to be inspired by their infectious enthusiasm and love for the art of quilting.

Links from this episode:

Fabric Cafe

3-yard Quilts

Fabric Cafe on YouTube

Fabric Cafe on Instagram

National Bink-A-Thon October 19

Jeanne Malgioglio, teacher, Area Coordinator for the Monroe-Trumbull, CT chapter, tells the story of a community grant she received recently. She was a bit intimidated but decided to go for it. This will keep her chapter funded for a very long time and allow her to continue helping other local agencies through the gifts of binkies.

Join us for this short episode to spark ideas, especially for smaller non-profits or chapters of larger ones to secure funding through local community grants.

Visit Jeanne's chapter page here.

In this episode of All Volunteer All Heart from Binky Patrol, host Susan Finch welcomes Angie Marie, a community leader from Hood River, Oregon. Angie shares her inspiring story of creating Gorge SpeakEasy, a monthly storytelling event that brings together diverse members of the community while supporting local nonprofits. Through volunteer efforts and innovative partnerships with local businesses, Gorge SpeakEasy has become a platform for connection, personal growth, and community impact. Angie and Susan discuss the power of collaboration between organizations and how companies can give back to their communities beyond financial contributions. This episode is a must-listen for businesses seeking creative ways to make a difference in their local areas, emphasizing the exponential impact of cross-organizational cooperation. Join Susan and Angie as they explore the heartwarming potential of storytelling, volunteerism, and community-building.

Gorge Speakeasy on Instagram

Binky Patrol on Instagram

Gorge Speakeasy on Facebook

Binky Patrol on Facebook

Volunteer time management is often overlooked as a value, as an asset. But it is the most valuable donation your organization receives. The dollars you receive are precious - are they being used most effectively? Tracking the time your staff and volunteers spend will help you see where you are getting the best outcomes and where you may be spinning your wheels. Listen to this short episode for some ideas about time and volunteers.

Jeanne Malgioglio tells us about her outstanding week at her school. Her students were studying the book, "I Will Always Write Back" by authors Caitlin Alfirenka and Martin Ganda, with Liz Welch. It's a story of friendship, being open to new ideas across the globe and choosing to make things better. Jeanne's students embodied this theme by making over 70 blankets inspired by the story. One of the authors, Caitlin even made an appearance. Susan brought in her own middle school story. Shout out to Walker Jr. High in La Palma. We hope you enjoy this short episode.

Links from this episode:

Jeanne's Binky Patrol chapter page

Walker Jr. High

The book, "I Will Always Write Back."

Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to exploit individuals and organizations. As a nonprofit or small business, staying vigilant and protecting yourself from photo copyright infringement scams is crucial. In this informative PSA episode, Susan Finch from All-Volunteer, All Heart from Binky Patrol shares her recent experience with a suspicious email claiming image copyright violations. With the help of an IP attorney friend, Susan dissects the red flags in the email and provides valuable insights on handling such situations. She also offers practical advice on sourcing legitimate images for your website and the importance of having access to legal counsel for your organization. Join us as we explore these critical issues and learn how to safeguard your nonprofit or small business from falling victim to these deceptive schemes. Stay informed, stay protected, and stay focused on making a positive impact in your community.

1. Be cautious when using images on your website, and ensure you have the rights to use them.

Are you running a small non-profit organization and looking for ways to save money and maximize your resources? In this quick podcast episode, Susan Finch, our founder, shares some valuable tips and resources that can help you streamline your operations and promote your cause more effectively. From free email services to volunteer recruitment platforms, Susan covers a range of tools that can benefit your organization without breaking the bank. Listen in to discover how to take your non-profit to the next level!

• Google Workspace: Offers free, unlimited email accounts for non-profits with their domain (e.g., @binkypatrol.org).

1. Have we reached out to local businesses to explore potential partnerships, sponsorships, or in-kind donations?

By exploring these questions and proactively seeking out local partnerships, non-profit leaders can tap into a wealth of resources and expand their organization's impact within the community.

Today, we're diving into a topic that's close to our hearts: recognizing and appreciating the incredible volunteers who make our mission possible.

Our volunteers are the lifeblood of our organizations, tirelessly giving their time, energy, and skills to make a difference in the lives of others. They are the unsung heroes who work behind the scenes, often without expecting anything in return. But as nonprofit leaders, it's our job to make sure they feel valued, appreciated, and supported every step of the way.

In this episode, we'll be sharing some creative and affordable ways to show your volunteers just how much they mean to you and your cause. From small tokens of appreciation like pins and stickers to heartfelt gestures like personalized thank-you notes and special events, we'll explore a variety of ideas to help you celebrate your volunteers and keep them motivated and engaged.

So grab a cozy blanket, settle in, and get ready to be inspired by the power of volunteer recognition. Together, we can create a culture of gratitude and support that will help our nonprofits thrive and make an even greater impact in the world.

Remember, you are not alone in this journey. We are all in this together, working towards a common goal of making a difference in our communities. So, let's lift each other up, celebrate our successes, and show our volunteers just how much they are appreciated.

Here are some key suggestions for non-profits mentioned in the episode:

1. Recognize and thank volunteers through small gifts like pins, stickers, or patches. These can be ordered in bulk to last for years and distributed to volunteers at events or through chapters.