Engaging and Leading Volunteers

Leaders of volunteers engage with volunteers to meet the goals and objectives of your organisation’s programs or projects.

Volunteer engagement includes a range of activities that support the development and sustainability of a skilled and engaged volunteer workforce. In larger not for profit organisations it is usually handled by a dedicated role often called a Volunteer Coordinator or Volunteer Manager. In smaller organisations the work may be carried out by a volunteer, or group of volunteers who may or may not identify with a specific role of leader of volunteers.

Leaders of Volunteers are Leaders

Volunteer engagement and management requires strong leadership abilities.

Leading volunteers can require more expertise than managing paid staff. If you have found yourself in such a role, you are someone who possesses the leadership skills and qualities to bring the volunteer team together to work towards the organisation’s mission.

As an aspiring, new or existing leader of volunteers it is important to continually develop and sharpen your leadership skills to ensure success.

Engaging First Nations people, newly arrived migrants and volunteers with a disability, present their own unique challenges and barriers. As a Volunteer Leader, it is important to understand these challenges and how to address them.

National Standards for Volunteer Involvement

Standard 1: Leadership and Management

Quick Guides

These downloadable resources have been developed under the National Volunteer Management Activity project.