In neighborhoods and small communities, volunteers are often the heartbeat behind the scenes. They organize events, check on neighbors, coach youth teams, serve meals, lead clean-up days, support local schools, and help create the kind of places where people feel connected and valued.  Yet one of the biggest challenges many community groups face is not coming up with ideas—it is finding and keeping volunteers. The good news is that recruiting and retaining volunteers does not always require a large budget or a sophisticated strategy. Often, it comes down to relationships, purpose, appreciation, and creating meaningful opportunities for people to contribute. The principles in the “Recruiting and Motivating Volunteers” graphic offer a simple but powerful framework for building a strong volunteer culture in your neighborhood or small town. Recruit: Share the Mission and Reach the Right People People are far more likely to volunteer when they clearly understand why something ma...

Community leaders, neighborhood association volunteers, and residents interested in strengthening their communities are invited to attend the Neighborhood Leadership Summit on Saturday, March 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Resurrection Church, 545 S. Broadway Ave., Springfield . Hosted by Community Partnership of the Ozarks in collaboration with University of Missouri Extension, the summit will provide practical tools and encouragement for anyone involved in neighborhood leadership or community engagement. This year’s keynote speaker will be Dan Prater of FORVIS MAZARS.  Prater's annual studies on volunteerism in the Springfield, Missouri area look at the need for volunteers and what volunteers contribute.  Prater describes his session this way: " Volunteers are the lifeblood of communities – but the landscape is changing. Shifting demographics, technology and other factors have created new realities for volunteer recruitment, engagement, and retention.  Join this se...

  Photo: Andrew and his family serving with NeighborLink In a world where people are becoming increasingly isolated, organizations like NeighborLink are stepping up to connect individuals and strengthen communities. Founded on the belief that neighbors should care for one another, NeighborLink provides a platform that links volunteers with those in need of home repairs, maintenance, and basic necessities. Andrew Hoffman, the executive director of NeighborLink for 13 years (until 2021), was instrumental in shaping this initiative and making it a vital resource for many communities. In 2025, he returned as the interim director. But in September 30, 2020, Andrew jumped on Zoom for an interview with David Burton for the third session of Neighboring 101. This article is written based on the content of that interview. The Origins of NeighborLink NeighborLink started in the mid-1990s with a simple yet impactful idea: churches and volunteers could fill the gaps left by social servi...

Male friendships were easier in eighth grade — at least they were for me.  Back then, expectations were simpler. My dad would load me and my friends into the car and drive us to the Fremont Theater in Springfield. We’d eat popcorn, watch a movie, and feel like we were living the high life, worthy of a photo.  It was the kind of low-key activity that built strong friendships among teenagers who went to school and played sports together. But as boys grow into men, things change. They go their separate ways, start families, and their social lives get consumed by family responsibilities. Hikes with a fishing pole along the Sac River get swapped out for grocery store runs for diapers, and before long, close male friendships can fade into the background. I often say that my married life can be divided into two phases: BK (Before Kids) and AK (After Kids). Before kids, I had more time for personal projects, playing golf, and even had a weekly basketball game with some business men in...