The Power of Many Hats: Unleashing Your Influence in Volunteer Engagement Leadership

Last week a colleague participated in the “What Hats Do Leaders of Volunteer Engagement Wear?” activity and recognised the range of roles she plays and skills she has. One unique hat we wear, unlike most other not-for-profit professionals, is that of educator. 

But I’m not talking about training volunteers.

I'm talking about educating our colleagues and leaders about the value of volunteer engagement leaders, what successful volunteer engagement looks like, and the resources needed for this success. We also train other teams on when and why to consult us.

This educator role is vital. Without understanding and buy-in from leadership and colleagues, volunteer programs risk being underfunded, misunderstood, or misaligned with the organisation’s goals.

Think about your role:

What hats do you wear as a Leader of Volunteer Engagement?

Which ones go unnoticed?

And which are most crucial for the success of engaging volunteers?

It is important to recognise these hats and advocate for the visibility and resources your role, and volunteer engagement deserves. Only then can you ensure impactful, sustainable volunteer engagement in your organisation.