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company and its community. It can also mean giving back to the volunteers in the form of appreciation dinners or small gifts, or simply sending a 'Thank You' card after a volunteer has completed his/her service to the company. Commitment, in its simplest form, is showing that the leader cares - about the company, about the volunteers, and most importantly, about the work that the volunteers are doing for the company.

(4) Sense of humor. Work, whether paid or voluntary, can be stressful. Having a good sense of humor can help any supervisor get through the rough periods, but it's particularly true of a volunteer supervisor, who doesn't have the same incentives to offer his/her subordinates (such as pay raises, schedule modifications, etc). Rather, a volunteer supervisor who can maintain his/her good spirits in the face of setbacks, will be able to lead by example. Consider that most volunteers want their volunteer experience to be enjoyable - different than their daily work experience. As such, if a volunteer leader creates an environment that is pleasant and even 'fun' to work in, a volunteer is more likely to return for future projects, and will probably 'spread the word' thereby further establishing the company's roots within the community. Finally, having a good sense of humor can just get you through most things in life with much of your sanity and good spirits intact!

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