Volunteering offers a unique opportunity to make a positive difference in your community while developing new skills and connecting with like-minded individuals.
It’s more than just giving back - volunteering is a two-way street where you can contribute to causes you care about while also growing personally and professionally. In fact, research shows that 69% of volunteers said they have benefited from gaining new skills and knowledge, and 77% believe that volunteering has improved their mental health and wellbeing.
Whether you’re an experienced volunteer, a volunteer manager leading or growing a team, or just starting your volunteering journey, understanding the skills that drive success is key to maximising your impact.
Volunteering Skills
People volunteer for a variety of reasons - whether it’s to give back to the community, build new relationships, gain valuable professional experience, or develop new skills. Whatever the motivation, these 10 key skills will significantly enhance your volunteering efforts and help you make a meaningful contribution.
Volunteering skills list:
- Communication
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Adaptability and problem-solving
- Empathy and compassion
- Time management and organisation
- Commitment and responsibility
- Cultural competence and inclusivity
- Leadership and initiative
- Technical and digital skills
- Passion and enthusiasm
Want to know why these skills are so important? Keep reading to discover how each of these skills helps drive meaningful change in your volunteering efforts.
Communication
Effective communication is essential in any volunteer role. Whether you’re volunteering at a marathon or in a retail store, being able to communicate clearly ensures everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. Strong communication enhances collaboration, resolves issues quickly, and helps to guide teams effectively, especially in fast-paced environments.
Teamwork and collaboration
Volunteering is rarely a solo act. It involves coordinating with fellow volunteers, staff, and the people you're helping. Success in these roles relies on the ability to collaborate effectively. A spirit of teamwork helps create a positive, productive atmosphere, ensuring that collective goals are met, and everyone feels supported.
Adaptability and problem-solving
Volunteering environments can be unpredictable, with shifting circumstances requiring adaptability. The ability to think on your feet and solve problems as they arise is critical. Whether it's handling last minute changes or navigating unforeseen challenges, being adaptable allows volunteers to remain calm under pressure and make the best decisions for the situation at hand.
Empathy and compassion
Volunteers often engage with vulnerable populations and individuals going through difficult situations. Empathy enables volunteers to truly understand others, offering genuine support and building trust with those they are helping. By demonstrating compassion, volunteers help create a more supportive and impactful environment for everyone involved.
Time management and organisation
In many volunteer roles, there are multiple tasks to juggle, and strong time management and organisational skills are key to ensuring everything runs smoothly. Being organised helps volunteers stay efficient and reduces the chance of important details being overlooked. For managers, these skills are essential for keeping projects on schedule and utilising volunteers effectively.
Commitment and responsibility
Volunteering requires dedication. Being dependable, following through on commitments, and taking ownership of tasks are vital for building trust within a team and achieving the goal you're working towards. A strong culture of responsibility help volunteers feel a sense of duty and achievement and leads to more reliable teams - crucial for the long-term success of a volunteer programme.
Cultural competence and inclusivity
Volunteers will interact with people from various ethnic, social, and cultural backgrounds, making cultural competence an important skill. Understanding and respecting these differences helps volunteers build genuine connections and deliver services that are sensitive to the needs of diverse communities. Inclusivity is key to creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued, and managers who promote this mindset foster a more supportive volunteer programme.
Leadership and initiative
Leadership in volunteering goes beyond managing people; it's about taking responsibility, guiding others, and making informed decisions. Volunteers who demonstrate initiative and leadership can contribute at a higher level, taking on larger roles and mentoring newer team members. For managers, nurturing leadership within teams helps drive projects forward and creates a more autonomous and empowered group of volunteers.
Technical and digital skills
As digital tools become increasingly integral to volunteer programmes, having basic technical skills can be a significant advantage. Whether it's navigating volunteer management software or coordinating virtual events, tech-savvy volunteers can contribute more effectively. Managers who embrace digital solutions can streamline operations and improve team communication.
Passion and enthusiasm
Passion is the driving force behind successful volunteering. Enthusiasm for the cause keeps volunteers motivated, helps them overcome challenges, and inspires others to give their best effort. As rewarding as volunteering can be, volunteers may encounter difficult situations. Managers who lead with passion also play a key role in keeping teams engaged, energised, and dedicated to achieving their goals.
Elevating Your Volunteer Journey
Volunteering is a rewarding experience that allows you to make a real impact on the causes you care about, while also growing personally and professionally. No matter where you are in your volunteer journey, honing these skills will not only enhance your contribution but also ensure that the experience is fulfilling and transformative.
If you’re curious about volunteering and want to learn more about its benefits, read our article about how volunteering helps the community.
For volunteer managers, fostering these skills in your current team and seeking these skills during the recruitment process can lead to more successful initiatives and a stronger, more engaged volunteer community.
Looking for more ways to enhance the impact of your volunteers? Check out these effective onboarding strategies and how Rosterfy can streamline the process.
The Engaged Volunteer Podcast
While the skills covered in this article are key for maximising volunteer impact, it's equally important to recognise the unique strengths each volunteer brings and the value they add to an organisation.
Listen to Episode #2 of The Engaged Volunteer Podcast where we talk to Kylie Elliott, the Volunteer Lead at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, on valuing every volunteer's currency.
About Rosterfy
Rosterfy is used by nonprofits, charities, sporting federations, local governments, and more to better manage their volunteer programmes by improving how they can recruit, screen, train, and retain volunteers.
Our market leading technology helps you create an engaging experience throughout the whole lifecycle of your volunteer journey.
Book a call today.