Managing a Volunteer Program: Building, Leading, and Sustaining Volunteer Engagement

This interactive workshop is designed for nonprofit professionals who want to build or strengthen a volunteer program. Whether you're expanding an existing initiative or starting from scratch, this session will walk you through the core components of effective volunteer management: recruitment, screening, training, supervision, recognition, and risk management. Participants will also explore how to strategically align volunteer efforts with organizational goals, evaluate the true cost and value of volunteer contributions, and foster volunteer relationships that grow into long-term advocacy and support. Drawing from real-world case studies and grounded in best practices from the field, this workshop blends theory with hands-on application.

Learning Objectives:

• Defining the core components of a comprehensive volunteer management program.
• Identify effective strategies for recruiting, screening, and training volunteers based on organizational readiness and community need.
• Apply motivational theories to improve volunteer retention, engagement, and satisfaction.
• Recognize the potential liabilities and hidden costs of a volunteer program and identify appropriate policies to mitigate risk.
• Develop strategies for recognizing, rewarding, and transforming volunteers into long-term supporters, advocates, and even donors.
• Evaluate the strengths and gaps in your own (or hypothetical) volunteer programs using evidence-based tools and framework.