I recently talked with a leader of volunteers from a shelter for people experiencing homelessness. She was feeling overwhelmed. Her day had just ended with three volunteers quitting, another one upset about a new program change, and a fifth who had ignored protocols and took pictures of clients without their consent.
She stared into her coffee cup and told me “Maybe I’m just not cut out for this.”
If you have ever felt that way, you’re not alone. In fact, you’re more likely in the minority if you haven’t ever felt that way! Leading volunteers is hard. And getting harder. You ought to be proud of yourself if you’re showing up every day.
In the years since the pandemic, volunteer engagement has gotten far more complicated. Programs may have seen a bounce back in participation, but no-where near a full return to pre-pandemic levels. Many charities struggle to find enough volunteers to meet their core needs, and the older helpers who once formed the backbone of many programs are aging out.
Volunteers who are coming in are younger, less available for long shifts, and often expect a different kind of experience. A preference for informal volunteering is increasing, demand for micro-volunteering and virtual tasks is on the rise, and people’s motivations are shifting.
Budgets are decreasing, and the need for services is growing, both at a frightening rate. Throw on top of that the political challenges many of us need to deal with, and it’s no wonder that you’re feeling overwhelmed. This is the changing landscape we all need to navigate.
Here are a few trends that are shaping what you’re experiencing:
Volunteers are changing how they want to give time.
Commitment is out of fashion. For many people, it’s simply not an option. Most prospective volunteers now look for bite-sized, one-off engagements rather than regular weekly shifts. That’s great for inclusion and flexibility, but it takes new systems and creativity to manage effectively, and, face it, it just doesn’t work for certain roles.
Expectations are higher at the same time support is being cut.
With many sources of funding drying up or being cut back, organisations are asking more from staff. That means that, even if you keep your position as leader of volunteers, you may also be asked to take on fundraising, or become the in-take coordinator, and still maintain the volunteer program at the same level it was before. All while more people are reaching out for services. Oh, and we’re cutting off your volunteer training budget, too…. A coordinator I spoke with said that their title should really be “resource scrounger.”
Economic realities are affecting volunteering.
For many, rising costs make it hard or impossible to offer unpaid labour. This isn’t just my opinion; surveys show it’s one of the top reasons organisations struggle to recruit volunteers. If someone needs to hold down two or more jobs to pay their rent and buy groceries, they just won’t have the time – or the energy – to volunteer.
So, yes, things are harder. But there are things you can do to support yourself and increase your resilience. If you’ve ever thought you’re failing, chances are you’re actually worn out. Things always look worse when we’re feeling overwhelmed.
Here are some things that might help:
Join a community.
Isolation increases depression. There are a number of groups on social media for leaders of volunteers. Some are even specific to certain sectors, like animal welfare or hospice. These groups are great for helping you see that you’re not alone in your struggles. You may find out that others have faced the issue that you’re dealing with and have come up with innovative ideas for handling it.
Not into social media? Find or create a community of practice. These are wonderful spaces where you can not only learn from others who are in the same position, but develop friendships as well. And we need all the friends we can get these days!
Celebrate your wins.
It’s way too easy to focus on all the things that went wrong during the day. It’s important to also pay attention to all the things that went well. And those things don’t need to be big! We pay a lot of attention to little annoying things, why not little good things? A co-worker ran an errand for you. You finished the report on time. You made it through the day without crying. Actually, that’s a big thing.
Create a self-care routine.
At the end of your work day, do something that makes you feel better. Write down everything that went well that day. Go for a walk in a park (physical activity reduces stress). Meditate. Whatever works to help you close your day on a good note and start the next day refreshed.
Most importantly, give yourself permission to be human.
No one is perfect. Volunteer leadership is messy. You’re working in a sector where the rules keep changing and there is rarely one right answer.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t panic. You’re in good company. We’re all figuring this out as we go. Deep breath. You’re doing better than you think! Reach out if you want to talk.
