Yet maximizing the impact of these invaluable contributions requires more than just recognition of their importance; it demands strategic management and robust support. At the heart of this endeavor lies the crucial role of staff members who serve as liaisons to volunteer groups, acting as bridges between the organization’s needs and volunteers’ passions.
What’s the roadmap to maximize volunteer impact for the volunteer and the association?
In this whitepaper Decoding the Volunteer-Staff Relationship, Peggy Hoffman, FASAE, CAE and Kristine Metter, MS, CAE explore this question from 3 sides: the volunteer, the association, and the key bridge between those two – the staff.
Here are several key factors to consider when taking a fresh look at your systems:
- Volunteers are your most engaged members. However, they often are frustrated with lack of clear guidance, expectations and/or feedback to their performance.
- A successful volunteer program hinges on mutual benefit—the volunteers make a meaningful contribution to the organization’s mission, while the volunteering enhances an individual’s professional development and personal satisfaction.
- Prepping people (volunteers and staff) to effectively work together leaves all parties happy that they are engaged and fulfilled with the outcome of the experience (see sidebar for characteristics of a healthy volunteer system).
- Staff commitment to a volunteer program is stronger when they understand the value volunteers bring to the organization. Thus, investing in staff training so they get the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, acknowledges the critical role they play in the success of the volunteer’s work and experience. Read more on creating a strong staff/volunteer relationship.
Association leaders accept the importance of volunteers, yet their systems often do not leverage the potential of volunteers to work in concert with the association to move the mission and meet member needs in a changing world – all which creates an urgency in improving volunteer systems.
p.s. Looking for staff/volunteer liaison training for your team? We’ve got your covered with this 2-part training program scheduled for January 28 & 30, 2025!
Characteristics of a healthy volunteer program
- An organizational culture of volunteerism
- Clarity of purpose and definition of high performing
- Holistic and transparent volunteer system infrastructure
- Commitment to continuous improvement
- Professional development (for volunteers and staff)
- Staff readiness and preparedness
- Information and knowledge transfer
- Anticipatory capabilities and responsiveness
- Resource commitment
- Community focus
- Strong identification and connection to the profession or trade