A few weeks ago, I attended a local gathering of the BC Non-profit Network. One of the presenters, JP Baker, spoke about “solving problems vs managing tensions”. It was my first exposure to that phrase. It is, in essence, a more modern version of the old saying which goes “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.” However you prefer to phrase it, the idea is key to effectively running a volunteer program.

Whether something is a problem or a tension has nothing to do with the size or complexity of the issue. The opioid crisis sweeping Canada and other countries right now is a problem. So is the fact that I’m out of cookies. The polarization of politics in the US and other countries is a tension. So is the fact that my husband and I disagree on the best way to spend the long weekend.

How do you tell the difference?

Problems tend to be clear and contained. They have a cause and a solution. The solution may not be easy, or even known yet, but there is one. Here’s an example.

A volunteer manager notices a drop in attendance at training sessions. After digging into the issue, she realizes that........

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