#007 - This week we’re talking about “community capital,” the incredible unique value that every volunteer brings to the organizations in which they choose to serve.    More Than an Extra Set of Hands It’s easy to see volunteers as simply an extra pair of helping hands, but they are so much more than that! Each volunteer carries within them a lifetime of experience, education, personal and socioeconomic background, and relationships. These all combine to create a unique worldview and a powerful singular value called “community capital.”  In this episode, Tobi explores the true value of volunteers from all walks of life through the lens of this community capital and invites you to consider how the contributions of individual volunteers benefit the community as a whole.  Four Types of Community Capital  There are four key types of community capital inherent in every volunteer: Human Capital – The tangible hard skills and intangible soft skills of each person Social Capital – The interpersonal relationships and social connections of each person Cultural Capital – The history, traditions, and cultural background of each person  Political Capital - The ability of each person to influence and engage with elected officials to pursue positive change   Community Capital as a Force for Good This capital is a powerful force for good, and it is multiplied when individuals join together in service through community volunteerism.  The value of such service goes way beyond individual acts, and Tobi shares some fascinating research on the ways that volunteerism can serve as a vital support for healing and community resilience.  Harnessing the strength of this collective community capital can sometimes be a challenge for leaders of volunteers. It requires a broader outlook on how the individual capital of a potential volunteer might benefit the organization, and how various things like age, gender, and experience add to the unique value a volunteer can bring to your nonprofit.   As you listen, consider whether your organization has a “typical” volunteer and who might be currently left out because their value is underestimated.  Tapping Into Latent Community Capital The good news is that this capital already exists in our communities. It isn’t something we have to create through our organizations. Our job, as leaders of volunteers, is to tap the latent community capital that’s already there, and work to develop, grow, and strengthen it through strategic and intentional community volunteerism.   Amazing volunteers come from all walks of life and all social circumstances, and they are ready to share their community capital with volunteer organizations. It is up to volunteer leaders to change the lens from which they view potential volunteers to understand what talent is in front of them, and then explore how to best match that capital with their organization's needs.