There is little argument from nonprofit leaders that volunteers are essential to expanding organizational reach, mission fulfillment and creating meaningful community impact. In fact, some may even venture to say that volunteers are a vital part of their organization.
Volunteers are so important, in fact, that ensuring they are stewarded properly should be top of mind for any organization that engages volunteers, but it is often overlooked or an after-thought. This often leads to high volunteer and volunteer staff turnover and unnecessary disruptions in how volunteers and their contributions are integrated into an organization. If you have never given thought to hiring a professional volunteer engagement professional, here are 5 reasons why you should.
1. Strengthen and Expand Organizational Capacity: Volunteers significantly extend the operational capacity of organizations, but without dedicated, skilled management, this potential is underutilized. Volunteer Engagement professionals establish systems, protocols, and metrics that maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
2. They Boost Fundraising and Donor Development: Professional volunteer management ensures a positive, structured, and rewarding experience for volunteers. Why is this important? Volunteers who have a meaningful experience often become some of the most loyal donors. An experienced professional knows how to cultivate the pathway for turning passion for service into financial support for the mission.
3. Facilitators of Strategic Volunteer Engagement: With a dedicated Volunteer Engagement Professional, ensuring that volunteers are not merely present but are meaningfully contributing to organizational objectives becomes a priority. By aligning volunteer efforts with strategic goals, they optimize the impact of each individual’s time and talent.
4. They Champion the Volunteer Voice: Volunteers are not “free labor”—they’re stakeholders. A volunteer engagement professional makes certain that volunteer concerns are heard, respected and included in strategic organizational decision-making, building a culture where service is valued at every level.
5. They Bridge Volunteers and Staff: Without a skilled leader, tension can arise between staff and volunteers over roles, responsibilities, and expectations. A volunteer engagement professional understands how to integrate volunteers into staff teams, reduce friction, and build strong collaboration that lifts everyone’s work.
At the end of the day, Volunteer Engagement Professionals are the backbone, the driving force, of volunteerism. Their professional expertise exponentially increases the notion that volunteer engagement is strategic, effective, and rewarding for both volunteers and organizations. Recognizing and investing in these professionals, especially those who have earned the CVA credential, is essential to sustaining impactful strategic volunteer engagement and advancing the mission of organizations across sectors.
Nicole R. Smith
Executive Director
Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE)
Looking to hire an experienced Volunteer Engagement Professional? Post your job opening here.