Volunteers are a strategy, not a programme
It’s becoming something of a tradition that my articles at this time of year focus on helping Volunteer Engagement Professionals with the annual planning and budgeting cycle many organisation start on around now.
In the past I’ve written about the need to budget effectively for volunteer engagement, but this time I’m focusing on strategy.
My USA colleague Beth Steinhorn often notes that volunteering isn’t a programme but a strategy. Here's what Beth said in 2023 in an article on the Better Impact blog:
“While it’s common for leaders to talk about a “volunteer program,” this terminology can be misleading. When volunteers are considered a “program,” they are viewed as “program participants” and, consequently, can be pitted in competition against other program participants for resources. Conversely, when volunteer engagement is presented as a strategy, then volunteers are partners with staff to achieve mission and can be tapped in all areas of operations.”
This is an important mindset shift Volunteer Engagement Professionals need to embrace.
And we need to persuade others of it too.
We must position volunteering as a core strategic asset for an organisation, not a programme that can be cut to save money when budget belts are being tightened.
Co-creating Community-Centred Volunteering | Volunteer Engagement & Impact Specialist
6 个月I often say that volunteer engagement is a powerful community engagement strategy. Definitely not a program - but a particular way we choose to engage community to create impact that wouldn't, and often couldn't be achieved through paid staff alone.
Connector and facilitator | Fostering community connections, organizational health and personal growth
6 个月You and Beth Stornholm are right - not only about the misleading language of volunteer programs (which I think I used sometimes when I was first involved in the field), but also about volunteer engagement as a strategy.
Accelerating effective and efficient Volunteer Engagement in non-profits. Award-winning leader, consultant, and speaker building relationships and innovative solutions. Creative and people-oriented. DM me!
6 个月Agree 100 percent ?? I've even asked a higher manager about thinking about volunteer engagement as a strategy. The more I mention it the more people will get used to it. And it may become their idea and actually implement it.
Another great #200WordTuesday Rob. So very true.
Helping organisations attract, engage, and empower volunteers with smart, sustainable strategies supported with three decades of experience
6 个月I agree Rob, in recognising the importance of strategic volunteering thinking and how to integrate it into long-term organisational plans.