How can you make the most of your role as a volunteer coordinator?

1 Know your goals

Before you start planning and executing your volunteer program, you need to have a clear understanding of what your organization wants to achieve and how volunteers can help. What are the specific objectives, outcomes, and indicators of your program? How do they align with your organization's strategic plan and values? How can you measure and report on your volunteer program's performance and impact? Knowing your goals will help you design a volunteer program that is relevant, effective, and sustainable.

2 Know your volunteers

Your volunteers are the lifeblood of your organization. They bring diverse skills, perspectives, and experiences that can enrich your program and your community. But they also have different motivations, expectations, and needs that you need to address. How can you recruit and retain volunteers who are a good fit for your program and your organization? How can you provide them with meaningful and rewarding opportunities that match their interests, abilities, and availability? How can you communicate with them regularly, appreciate them sincerely, and support them effectively? Knowing your volunteers will help you build a strong and loyal volunteer team.

3 Know your resources

As a volunteer coordinator, you have to manage multiple tasks and priorities with limited resources. You have to balance the needs and interests of your volunteers, your organization, and your stakeholders. You have to deal with challenges and changes that may arise along the way. How can you optimize your time, budget, and tools to run your volunteer program efficiently and effectively? How can you leverage the resources and expertise of your colleagues, partners, and networks to enhance your volunteer program? How can you seek and use feedback and data to improve your volunteer program? Knowing your resources will help you optimize your volunteer program's operations and outcomes.

4 Know your skills

Being a volunteer coordinator requires a range of skills and competencies that can help you succeed in your role and advance your career. You need to have skills in leadership, communication, coordination, administration, evaluation, and more. But you also need to be open to learning new skills and developing existing ones. How can you assess your current skills and identify your gaps and strengths? How can you access relevant and affordable training and development opportunities that can help you grow your skills and knowledge? How can you apply and showcase your skills in your volunteer program and beyond? Knowing your skills will help you enhance your professional development and career prospects.

5 Know your opportunities

As a volunteer coordinator, you have many opportunities to expand your horizons and explore new possibilities. You can network with other volunteer coordinators and professionals in your field and learn from their best practices and insights. You can join or create communities of practice and peer support groups that can help you share your challenges and solutions. You can participate in events and conferences that can help you stay updated on the latest trends and innovations in volunteer management. You can also pursue further education or certification that can help you advance your qualifications and credentials. Knowing your opportunities will help you broaden your connections and perspectives.

6 Know your value

As a volunteer coordinator, you have a valuable role in creating positive change and impact in your organization and your community. You are not just managing volunteers, you are leading and empowering them. You are not just running a program, you are contributing to a cause. You are not just doing a job, you are making a difference. How can you recognize and celebrate your achievements and contributions? How can you communicate and demonstrate your value to your organization and your stakeholders? How can you advocate for your role and your profession? Knowing your value will help you boost your confidence and credibility.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?