Volunteer Management

Volunteers support the productivity and performance of nonprofit organizations that serve myriad community needs and interests. In addition to performing unpaid work, volunteers differ from paid employees in that they have greater control over organizational entry and fewer barriers to organizational exit. That is, individuals seeking paid employment compete with a pool of eligible applicants for a job opening and are selected by the organization, whereas volunteers select the organization. Unlike paid employees, volunteers are not concerned about potential lost wages or periods of unemployment as consequences for leaving the organization.

Volunteer management refers to the implementation of policies and practices to recruit, engage, and retain volunteers. The specific volunteer management practices will vary depending on the size, sector (animal welfare, human service, etc.), structure, available ...