Effectively Equipping Volunteers for Greater Impact

Abstract

Volunteerism is the act of selflessly giving of one’s life by responding to a need in one’s local or global community as an act of service free of pay. Community development through volunteer efforts and effective leadership has the potential to change lives. With the limited resources organizations have, it becomes increasingly important to effectively equip volunteers for positions with the hope of creating both a lasting impact and increased retention rates. The elements that contribute to increased volunteer retention rates include a culture of volunteer value within an organization, volunteer personal reflection and understanding, leadership characteristics of the volunteer administrator, and the administrative efforts of the volunteer program to equip a volunteer for the right position.