Volunteer Confidence Boosters

Volunteer confidence boosters? What's this all about? Well, there are some simple steps you can use to boost any volunteer’s confidence. While some volunteers require no special strokes many volunteers do need to grow within their positions. These growth opportunities are real self esteem builders.

We invite you to try some of these volunteer confidence boosters and volunteer recognition ideas:

Ask volunteers to serve on special advisory committees to your organization.

Ask them to train other volunteers

In other words, “train the trainers” (it also helps extend your work force!) This is a great idea also to identify leadership skills and if there may be additional potential in the future.

Volunteer Leadership Forum

Host a forum, breakfast or lunch with your best leadership volunteers to seek their input about the impact of your organization’s volunteer program and growth opportunities for the future.

Empower volunteers to track and report volunteer impact for the organization.

This information could be presented in your organization’s annual report, to the board at a board meeting or in many different printed and online publication pieces throughout the year.

Train them to be advocates for your organization in state and federal advocacy efforts

Volunteers are natural advocates. State and federal legislators want to hear from their constituents. Who better to advocate for critical issues and legislation than your organization’s volunteers? Properly trained they are dynamite advocates for change and passing legislation critical to your mission! Advocacy work is probably one of the best volunteer confidence boosters!

Have them step in to represent the organization at community events or meetings where staff can’t attend.

It is very empowering and a great volunteer recognition idea!

Seek volunteer assistance in special projects or emergency situations

In this case, asking a volunteer to participate or to head a special task force is a great idea. Or, volunteers can play a pivotal role if there is an emergency staff leave of absence. You can ask the right volunteer to step in for a few days which gives them a deeper understanding of the staff role. In addition, it allows them know how much they are valued and trusted to be asked to assume these responsibilities.

Allow them to grow out of their current jobs and seek additional or new responsibilities.

New challenges are always exciting…and empowering (ok, and sometimes scary). Some volunteers like routines and doing the same things year after year. However, some don’t. The ones who want new challenges are the ones you need to identify and offer growth opportunities.

Providing volunteers with a proven track record of progressively challenging and rewarding tasks helps them grow closer to the organization and provides a lot of personal satisfaction. However, these leadership don't particularly need a volunteer confidence booster - it sure doesn't hurt! It is also difficult and a slight risk for the organization because you are giving up a known commodity. However, it is worth the chance.

Seek their input in your organization’s policy development.

Establishing policy councils or advisory groups made up of both paid and unpaid stakeholders gives your organization an inclusive perspective. This broader view often times brings items to light which will always make your organization stronger. It also is a confidence booster for your volunteers!

Ask volunteers to contribute their own words to your various written publications.

Think about a special section on your organization’s website, annual report, or other printed material where volunteers can let others know of the importance of volunteering and why they do it.

Ask them to recommend other volunteers for key and general positions.

It is a big responsibility to recommend others to participate in your organization’s activities or projects. When you ask someone for a recommendation, you are indicating that you trust their judgment and value their opinion.

Volunteers, just like employees, require opportunities for growth and consistent validation of their performance and choices. You can boost their confidence which enables them to feel great about themselves and your organization or cause.