Learning Pathway 4 | Leading and Advocating
As leaders of volunteers, it can often feel like we’re running as fast as we can just to stay in the same place—managing volunteer engagement without the time or capacity to focus on leadership or strategy. Let's change this by engaging others—both paid staff and volunteers— and re-envisioning our role to that of strategic architects and advocates to strengthen volunteer programs and enhance the impact of volunteer leadership.
Part 1: Leading Not Doing
In this session, we're talking about what it really means to lead volunteers—moving beyond doing the work yourself to supporting others in doing it well. We’ll look at how to shift your mindset, advocate for volunteers, and build a culture where leadership is shared and sustainable.
Part 2: Advocating for Volunteers and the Profession
Welcome back! In this session, we’re taking a closer look at what it means to advocate—not just for the volunteers you lead, but for yourself and the profession as a whole. We’ll explore how to validate the work you do, navigate ethical responsibilities, and strengthen the foundation of volunteer engagement as a recognized and respected career.
Part 3: Understanding the Role of Ethics in Volunteer Engagement
In our final video session for this learning pathway, we will put ethics into practice. Building on the core values we’ve already explored together, we’ll walk through real-world scenarios and decision-making tools to empower you to navigate ethical dilemmas with confidence and clarity.
You've reached the end of the Learning Pathway series—congratulations! By exploring how to recruit the right volunteers, build lasting relationships, tell compelling impact stories, and lead with confidence, you've taken important steps to strengthen your volunteer program!
But your journey doesn’t end here. There’s always more to learn, more to share, and more ways to grow. Discover a wealth of additional tools, articles, and opportunities designed to support you and your organization in making a deeper impact, right here on Idealist.