Understanding Volunteer Management Challenges in Nonprofit Organizations
Volunteers are more than just an extra pair of hands. They bring unique perspectives, skills, and experiences that can greatly enrich nonprofit organizations. Without their steadfast commitment, it's fair to say, many of these organizations would find it difficult to make a meaningful impact on their respective causes. Yet, while attracting volunteers can often be achieved through effective outreach strategies, managing these selfless individuals and their contributions effectively is a hurdle that many organizations grapple with.
Why is Volunteer Management Often Seen as a Challenge?
A wide array of research studies has shed light on the most common challenges that nonprofit organizations face when it comes to volunteer management. Understanding these obstacles is the first step in overcoming them and crafting a volunteer management system that benefits both your organization and the volunteers themselves.
1. Undervalued Positions
One major concern with volunteering is the perception that volunteers occupy low-ranking positions within the organizational hierarchy. This perception is typically rooted in the fact that volunteers, who usually work without pay and out of sheer goodwill, have little to no involvement in the organization's core planning and decision-making processes. Consequently, the crucial function of volunteer management is often undervalued or, worse, neglected. This can cause an array of problems, such as poor volunteer coordination and low morale among volunteers. The first step towards rectifying this issue is recognizing the importance of a structured, adequately funded volunteer management program. In doing so, an organization can ensure that volunteers are treated with the respect they deserve and are managed in a way that maximizes their potential.
2. Too Little Time
In many nonprofit organizations, the absence of a designated volunteer coordinators means that the responsibility of supervising volunteers often falls on other staff members. These individuals, who already have their own duties to fulfill, may struggle to devote sufficient time and energy to volunteer management. This can result in a lack of cohesion and efficiency and may even lead to burnout among both staff members and volunteers. By implementing a streamlined volunteer management program - one that offers clear guidelines, effective training, and regular acknowledgment of volunteers' contributions - organizations can ensure that their volunteers remain engaged, motivated, and productive.
3. Volunteer Burn-Out
Volunteer burnout is another common issue in nonprofit organizations. Enthusiasm and dedication often characterize the early stages of volunteer involvement, but these can wane over time, particularly if volunteers feel undervalued or overworked. To combat this, volunteer coordinators must be proactive in creating a positive and rewarding environment. This may involve offering opportunities for skill development and career growth, ensuring tasks are varied and meaningful, and consistently recognizing volunteers' efforts and achievements.
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4. Decentralized Guidance
Lack of focused leadership is another obstacle that many organizations face when it comes to volunteer management. Without a single point of authority and guidance, managing volunteers can become a jumbled effort, reducing the overall effectiveness of the volunteer program. Moreover, volunteers themselves may feel lost and unsupported, diminishing their potential impact on the organization's cause. Volunteers might fail to understand how their work is helping the organization; furthermore, they might feel unprepared for their duties or spend more time asking for clarification than serving the cause. To overcome this challenge, having a dedicated volunteer coordinators who can provide clear and consistent direction is key.
5. Few Resources
Just because volunteers generously offer their services for free doesn't mean managing them comes at no cost. A successful volunteer management program needs sufficient funding to attract, train, and retain volunteers, as well as to recognize their contributions appropriately. However, due to misconceptions about the nature of volunteer work and management, this aspect is often overlooked. This particular challenge is not often considered, as volunteer management is an intangible factor within an organization; that is, it is difficult to link well resourced volunteer management to the organization’s overall impact. By investing in volunteer management, organizations can ensure they have the resources needed to manage their volunteers effectively and, ultimately, enhance their overall impact.
The Ultimate Solution: A Dedicated Volunteer Coordinator
Despite the diversity of these challenges, one solution stands out: the need for a dedicated volunteer coordinator. In our next post, we'll delve deeper into the role of a volunteer coordinators, exploring the challenges they face and the best practices they can employ to overcome these challenges.
Related articles:
- Top 5 Tips for Effective Volunteer Management
- 7 Ways to Keep Volunteers Coming Back
- 3 Tips on Keeping a Devoted Volunteer Base
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in February 2017 and has been completely revamped for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Interested in learning how MobileServe can help manage and retain your volunteers? Find a time to connect with our team via the link below!
