How to Lead a Volunteer Organization

Since our theme at Rethink Leadership this week is leading a volunteer organization, I thought I’d ask a volunteer what they think. The most insightful volunteer I’ve encountered recently is an artificially intelligent leader named Chat Bot. So here is my interview with Mr Bot

Me: What are best practices when leading a volunteer driven organization?

Chat: Leading a volunteer-driven organization requires a unique set of skills and strategies to ensure that volunteers are engaged, motivated, and productive.

Me: Can you share some best practices?

Chat: First, develop a clear mission and goals: Having a clear mission and specific goals will help volunteers understand what the organization is trying to achieve, and how their contributions will help achieve those goals.

Me: That sounds like a great place to start. What’s next?

Chat: Communicate regularly: Communication is key to keeping volunteers engaged and informed. Provide regular updates on the organization's progress, upcoming events, and opportunities for involvement.

Me: You mention keeping volunteers engages and informed. Beyond regular communication, how can we achieve that goal?

Chat: Provide training and support: Volunteers are more likely to be productive and effective if they feel confident in their roles. Provide training and ongoing support to help volunteers develop the skills they need to succeed.

Me: I’ve found that even with a compelling mission, clear communication and great training volunteers still tend to burn out. How do we keep volunteers engaged for the long haul?

Chat: Build a sense of community: Create opportunities for volunteers to connect with one another and with the organization. This can include social events, team-building activities, and recognition programs.

Me: I agree, community is key. What else should we focus on as we develop great volunteers?

Chat: Recognize and reward volunteers: Volunteers want to feel appreciated and valued. Recognize their contributions and provide meaningful rewards and incentives to show your appreciation.

Also, empower your volunteers: Give volunteers autonomy and opportunities to take on leadership roles. This can help them feel more invested in the organization and motivated to contribute.

Me: How to you handle volunteers who don’t consistently show up?

Chat: Be flexible: Volunteers may have other commitments and priorities outside of the organization. Be flexible and understanding of their schedules, and provide opportunities for them to contribute in ways that work for them.

Me: This is great stuff, any final words for those of us who lead volunteer driven organizations?

Chat: Just one more thing, evaluate and adjust: Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of your volunteer program and make adjustments as needed. Solicit feedback from volunteers and make changes based on their input.

Me: Thank you Mr. Chat Bot, this is incredibly helpful.