How can you develop a strong sense of purpose in a volunteer program?

1. Clearly define the program's mission and goals. 2. Show volunteers the direct impact of their efforts. 3. Connect their roles to personal values and passions. 4. Foster a supportive and inclusive community. 5. Provide training and opportunities for skill development. 6. Celebrate achievements and recognize contributions. 7. Regularly communicate the program's impact. 8. Encourage feedback and involvement in decision-making. 9. Align with larger societal or environmental causes. 10. Continuously adapt and improve the program based on feedback and changing needs.

Educating volunteers on your organisation cause, services, and how volunteers play their role in achieving vision is key to building a sense of purpose within your volunteer community. We run regular information sessions for people interested in becoming volunteers as a first step in their sign up with us to help build this sense of purpose. We also regularly collect feedback at these sessions to ensure that we’re getting this right!

In my experience, what I have learnt is in order to create impact…you need people who believe in the mission and vision, genuinely. That can only be achieved if you involve volunteers into building and planning the program. Volunteers need to feel a sense of belonging and attachment with the mission in order to create a program that caters to diverse needs.They also feel a sense of responsibility towards success of the program if they are effectively involved in it. Some ways to involve them : 1. Involve them in strategy and at both macro and micro levels. This way they learn to critically think 2. Give them important roles and responsibilities. 3. Involving diverse stakeholders through volunteers 4. Working on the feedback collectively

Add the personal touch is also key. Communicate the impact volunteers have in the specific role and tasks they do and how this contributes to your organisation’s overall purpose. Generally it’s great to emphasise how even the small things volunteers do make a big difference!

Ao oferecer oportunidades de aprendizado e crescimento o sentimento de identifica??o com o projeto de voluntariado tende a crescer exponencialmente. As pessoas sentem-se pertencentes em projetos que as estimulam a melhorar!

Recognition and showing appreciation is vital to support volunteer morale, wellbeing and to aid loyalty and retention. Having a range of ways to show appreciation on large and small scales that can be tailored to a volunteers' preferences is the key to the recognition being well received - make sure you ask your volunteers first how they'd like to be acknowledged - not everyone likes the spotlight of awards ceremonies, a small gathering over tea and cake can be just as effective for the right person.

And be sure to give volunteers meaningful work to do! Match them with work that the organization needs done and for which they are uniquely qualified.

Acknowledgement of your volunteers input and value that they bring is so important. Equity within the relationship and saying thank you.

To ignite passion in volunteering, focus on aligning their interests with meaningful opportunities. Help people discover causes they care about, connect with like-minded individuals, and emphasize the positive impact they can make. Encourage exploration and growth throughout their volunteering experience.

It has always been much appreciated when I receive that handwritten note, phone call or in person word of thanks after I’ve given my time or talents to an organization. One of my favorite “thank yous” was receiving a handmade wreath of heart shaped cards where each member of my Girl Scout Service Unit had written a note expressing their appreciation for my being the annual GS Cookie Team Manager for ten years. I had that wreath hanging in my family’s NH seacoast home until downsized to a 1 bedroom apartment. ????

This is a game changer. Stronger the bond-fantastic would be the program structure and results. Adding this with experience. Creating a safe and a positive space for volunteers to share ideas, connect with each other, work on their internal bias by working with people from diverse backgrounds. This helps to give a sense of belongingness and a non judgemental learning zone. Volunteers also learn effective communication skills and collaboration skills