Managing Your Volunteers to Stay Productive

Managing volunteers effectively is essential for any organization, that relies on their help, to be successful.

Let's be serious, it's a major part of our job and if done right you and your organization will benefit greatly from a great collaborative working relationship.

If there's one thing I hear all the time is I can't get my volunteers to show up for anything!

Take the time to cultivate relationships with your volunteers and follow these tips to ensure that your volunteers are productive and engaged:

  • Start by defining clear expectations. What are the specific tasks that you need your volunteers to complete? What are their roles and responsibilities? Once you have a clear understanding of what you need from your volunteers, you can start to match them with the right opportunities.
  • Provide training and support. Not all volunteers will have the same skills and experience. Make sure that you provide them with the training and support they need to be successful. This could include anything from providing them with job descriptions and training materials to assigning them a mentor or supervisor.
  • Create a positive and supportive environment. Volunteers want to feel appreciated and valued. Make sure that you create a positive and supportive environment where they feel comfortable asking questions and getting help when they need it.
  • Set clear goals and deadlines. Volunteers need to know what is expected of them and when they need to have their tasks completed. Setting clear goals and deadlines will help to keep them on track and productive.
  • Provide regular feedback. Let your volunteers know how they are doing and how they can improve. This will help them to stay motivated and engaged.
  • Celebrate successes. When your volunteers achieve their goals, be sure to celebrate their successes. This will help to show them that their hard work is appreciated and that they are making a difference.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your volunteers are productive and engaged, which will ultimately benefit your organization.


Here are some additional tips for managing volunteers to stay productive:

  • Use technology to your advantage. There are a number of software programs and applications that can help you to manage your volunteers more effectively. These tools can help you to track volunteer hours, assign tasks, and communicate with volunteers.
  • Delegate tasks appropriately. Not all volunteers are created equal. Some volunteers may be more experienced or have more specialized skills than others. Be sure to delegate tasks appropriately so that everyone is challenged but not overwhelmed.
  • Be flexible. Things don't always go according to plan. Be prepared to adjust your plans as needed and be flexible with your volunteers' schedules.
  • Show appreciation. Volunteers give their time freely, so it's important to show them how much you appreciate their efforts. Thank them regularly and let them know how their work is making a difference.

You can create a positive and productive volunteer experience that will benefit both your organization and your volunteers.

Managers Who Motivate

If you're in a position to manage staff, this blog post is for you.

There have been many books written, over the years, on management styles and who are the best at managing the teams to get the most out of their teams and meet their goals.

Where do you see yourself based on the following?

This list of managers are known for their ability to motivate:

Simon Sinek - is a motivational speaker and author who is known for his TED Talk "Start with Why." Sinek believes that leaders should start with why they do what they do, and then communicate that to their employees. This helps to create a sense of purpose and motivation among employees.

Jack Welch - was the former CEO of General Electric and is known for his tough but fair management style. Welch was known for setting high expectations for his employees and then giving them the resources they needed to succeed. He also created a culture of continuous learning and improvement at GE.

Sheryl Sandberg - was the former COO of Meta Platforms and is known for her inspiring speeches about women in leadership. Sandberg believes that women need to be more assertive and confident in their careers. She also encourages women to lean in and take risks.

Vince Lombardi - was the legendary NFL coach who led the Green Bay Packers to five Super Bowl championships. Lombardi was known for his demanding but inspiring leadership style. He believed that winning was not a sometime thing, but an all-the-time thing.

These are just a few examples of managers who are known for their ability to motivate.

What makes these managers so effective is that they are able to connect with their employees on a personal level and inspire them to achieve great things

They also create a positive and supportive work environment where employees feel valued and respected.

Here are some of the qualities that these managers share:

  • They are clear about their expectations.
  • They provide regular feedback.
  • They are supportive and encouraging.
  • They celebrate successes.
  • They create a positive work environment.

If you want to be a manager who motivates, it is important to develop these qualities.

You can learn from the examples of these successful managers.