How do you manage volunteers who want more or less responsibility?

1 Assess their skills and interests

Before assigning or changing a volunteer's role, you should assess their skills and interests. You can use a simple survey, a one-on-one conversation, or a group discussion to find out what they are good at, what they enjoy doing, and what they want to learn. This will help you match them with tasks that suit their abilities and preferences, and avoid placing them in roles that are too easy or too hard for them.

2 Communicate expectations and feedback

Another important step is to communicate expectations and feedback to your volunteers. You should clearly explain the goals, responsibilities, and expectations of each role, and how they contribute to the organization's mission. You should also provide regular feedback on their performance, and acknowledge their achievements and challenges. This will help your volunteers understand what is expected of them, how they are doing, and how they can improve.

3 Offer opportunities for growth and development

If some of your volunteers want more responsibility, you should offer them opportunities for growth and development. You can do this by providing them with training, mentoring, coaching, or shadowing opportunities, or by giving them more challenging or diverse tasks. You can also encourage them to take on leadership roles, such as leading a project, a team, or a committee. This will help your volunteers develop new skills, gain confidence, and feel valued.

4 Respect their boundaries and preferences

If some of your volunteers want less responsibility, you should respect their boundaries and preferences. You should not pressure them to take on more tasks or roles than they are comfortable with, or make them feel guilty or unappreciated for saying no. You should also respect their availability, and accommodate their schedule and time constraints. You can also offer them alternative or flexible ways to volunteer, such as online, remotely, or on a project basis. This will help your volunteers maintain a healthy balance, and avoid burnout or frustration.

5 Involve them in decision-making and problem-solving

Finally, you should involve your volunteers in decision-making and problem-solving. You should solicit their input, opinions, and suggestions on matters that affect their roles, tasks, or the organization as a whole. You should also invite them to participate in brainstorming, planning, or evaluating activities or initiatives. This will help your volunteers feel empowered, respected, and engaged.

Managing volunteers who want more or less responsibility can be tricky, but it is not impossible. By following these tips, you can create a positive and rewarding volunteer experience for everyone involved.

6 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?