Current Trends in Volunteer Engagement
Certainly! In the digital age, volunteer engagement has taken on new dimensions with the rise of virtual opportunities and challenge .Throughout the Covid period volunteers had to quickly adapt to new ways of working, which for many of them included using technology they had never used before. Following Covid, many charities established their 'new norm' which for most was a hybrid version of what was implemented in Covid. For some this has not only brought about new ways of working, but it had also included new management structures and roles. The time when you might sit down with a volunteer for a chat over a cup of coffee when they popped into the office has passed, and volunteer managers are having to find new ways of engaging and supporting volunteers effectively.
The Shift to Virtual Volunteering:
Since Covid, there has been an explosion in the way volunteering roles are conducted. Many of these have transferred to the online world, either in full or at least partly. Charities are increasingly asking roles a lot more remote and in turn accessible. But this brings with it more frequent and essential use of technology in delivering quality engagement.
Challenges in Virtual Volunteer Management:
There are a wide range of unique challenges charities face in managing volunteers remotely, including communication barriers, technology gaps, and maintaining a sense of community. Volunteer managers are having to above and beyond in order to ensure volunteers feel supported and valued.
Utilising Technology for Collaboration
There are a wide range of technology available, from simple mobile apps providing you with a clear to do list, through complex project management suites which can not only track activity, but assign work, automate processes and provide accurate time keeping for cost centre alignment. ,
Flexible Engagement Models:
There are multiple benefits of flexible volunteer engagement models that accommodate different schedules and time zones. Volunteers cam explore options such as micro-volunteering, project-based contributions, and ongoing commitments.
Measuring Virtual Impact:
There are a wide range of metrics that can be used to assess the success of a volunteer programme. At each step f the volunteer life cycle there are stats you can use to bring the volunteering stories to life, and help to not only engage new volunteers, but also show off the success that you're already achieving. You might also like to consider completing a Volunteer Investment and Value Audit. This not only drilldown on the costs of engaging and managing volunteers. But also allows you to present the data in a format that traditional donors or suppers might be more interersted and engaged by.
Training and Skill Development:
Volunteers always a need for ongoing training and skill development. This can be made twice as diffcult with vitrual voluntees. Who mibght not only be leasring new skills and knowledge for the role they com[plete but also hasve to learn new computer systems and work processes. This can be extreemly scary for a volunteer In order to help manage the impact chartities can provide resources, workshops, and mentorship to enhance volunteers' capabilities.
In navigating the evolving landscape of volunteer engagement in the digital age, organizations and volunteer managers must continue to adapt and innovate. The shift to virtual volunteering presents both opportunities and challenges, requiring a proactive approach to overcome barriers in communication, technology, and community building. Embracing technology for collaboration and exploring flexible engagement models are crucial steps in fostering a dynamic and inclusive volunteer environment. Moreover, measuring the virtual impact through comprehensive metrics and investing in training and skill development will not only enhance the volunteer experience but also contribute to the overall success of volunteer programs. As we forge ahead, the commitment to finding new ways of engaging and supporting volunteers is paramount, ensuring that the spirit of volunteerism thrives in the digital era.