How can you make your volunteer program inclusive to people from different dance backgrounds?

2 Respect your volunteers' diversity

The second step to creating an inclusive volunteer program is to respect the diversity of your volunteers. This means acknowledging and appreciating the different dance styles, cultures, histories, and identities that your volunteers bring to your program. You can do this by creating a culture of learning, curiosity, and respect among your volunteers. You can also provide opportunities for your volunteers to share their dance backgrounds, stories, and perspectives with each other and with your audience. For example, you can invite your volunteers to showcase their dance skills, teach a dance workshop, or participate in a panel discussion. By respecting your volunteers' diversity, you can foster a sense of belonging and community among your volunteers.

4 Empower your volunteers to contribute

The fourth step to creating an inclusive volunteer program is to empower your volunteers to contribute to your program. You want to make sure that your volunteers feel that their skills, talents, and opinions are valued and utilized. You can do this by providing meaningful and challenging tasks, roles, and projects for your volunteers. You can also encourage your volunteers to take initiative, make suggestions, and collaborate with each other and with you. By empowering your volunteers to contribute, you can increase their engagement, satisfaction, and retention.

5 Celebrate your volunteers' achievements

The fifth step to creating an inclusive volunteer program is to celebrate the achievements of your volunteers. You want to make sure that your volunteers feel that their efforts, contributions, and impacts are recognized and appreciated. You can do this by providing positive and constructive feedback, rewards, and recognition for your volunteers. You can also celebrate your volunteers' achievements by organizing events, parties, or ceremonies to thank them, showcase their work, and share their stories. By celebrating your volunteers' achievements, you can boost their morale, motivation, and loyalty.

6 Evaluate and improve your program

The sixth and final step to creating an inclusive volunteer program is to evaluate and improve your program. You want to make sure that your program is meeting the needs, expectations, and goals of your volunteers, as well as your own. You can do this by collecting and analyzing data, feedback, and testimonials from your volunteers, your audience, and yourself. You can also seek advice, support, or best practices from other organizations or experts who run similar or successful volunteer programs. By evaluating and improving your program, you can identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of your program, and make the necessary changes or improvements to make it more inclusive, effective, and enjoyable.

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?