ABSTRACT
Training and empowering volunteer leaders and volunteer experts opens the door to initiative, creativity, and dedication far beyond what any organization could afford to hire, especially at this stage in the history of restoration. Some volunteers have worked for decades to be become experts in some fields. The respect and freedom granted them are crucial parts of volunteers' motivation and 'compensation'. If the pilot were to have expensive expert guidance but otherwise be run collaboratively with true volunteers, then media and community interactions could thoroughly set the stage for the larger project. However, a community of stewards will thrive only with support from future decision-makers. Be creative about adopting effective means of communicating strategy and commitments to future leaders. In the short run, take pains to truly support the volunteer facilitation staff – to protect them from other parts of organization where current and future staff may be slow to understand the unusual nature of the partnership with the volunteers.
