Building a successful staff/volunteer partnership

We love it when we find an article that just reinforces our own beliefs. In this article posted by ASAE, Jennifer L. Blanck hits the nail on the head when she notes how vital a strong association staff/volunteer leadership relationship can be to meeting both the needs of the organization and the volunteer.

Based on a sharing session with a group of colleagues, Blanck’s article touches on three strategies that have proven to be successful by the group:

Start with the chair-elect. Blanck notes that it’s important to establish a productive partnership with a new leader before their term starts. She suggests providing a transition plan that explains the role of both the volunteer and the staff member and clearly states the goals and expectations of the position.

⇒ This goes directly to one of the key findings from ASAE Research Foundation report, A Holistic Approach to Association Volunteer Management, which found that there is a great disconnect between association staff and volunteers. Setting clear expectations from the get-go will bridge that gap and lay the foundation for a successful and productive relationship.

Continue the conversation. Blanck suggests revisiting the goals and expectations of both you and the leader as the term begins. Another tip is to schedule check-ins to keep the goals on track as well as uncover issues before they get out of hand. Step in when you need to redirect their focus or bring in a past chair/mentor to lend a hand.

⇒ Relationships can go down quickly if not tended to regularly, and the staff/volunteer relationship is no exception. Knowing that you’re all in from the beginning will set a positive tone for the volunteer and potentially help ease conflicts that may arise later.

Reflect on your approach and what you bring to the relationship. Blanck points out that volunteer leaders come and go, and not all will respond in the same way to your management style. That’s why it’s important to be willing to change your approach when necessary.

⇒ A little self-assessment never hurt anyone and that’s why we also strongly believe that investing in training for association staff who work with these volunteers and volunteer groups can be a game-changer. Indeed, the right training and mentoring projects will lead your staff to be better prepared to serve as partners, rather than adversaries, to your association’s volunteers.

Association staff are vital to the success of a volunteer project, as well as the experience your volunteers have. After all, staff members serve as liaisons acting as an important link between the organization’s needs and volunteers’ passions. Don’t overlook this important role. It will make all the difference.

Finally (shameless plug, but relevant!), if you are looking for staff/volunteer liaison training for your team, we’ve got you covered with this 2-part training program coming in January! Part 1 is a 75-minute virtual session scheduled for January 28 followed by a full day in-person deeper dive on January 30. This program is ideal for staff managing volunteer programs and staff liaisons to specific volunteer groups whether new to the role or a seasoned pro. Learn more here!