In celebration of International Volunteer Managers Day, we are inviting Leaders of Volunteers across Victoria to share their experiences as volunteering professionals. In this article, Gina Roggmann reflects on her journey starting out in volunteer leadership.
When I moved to Australia to study Community Services in early 2020 (the timing was great, I know!), I didn’t have a clear picture of where it would lead me. I just knew I wanted to work in a space that felt meaningful; something rooted in connection and community. Volunteer management wasn’t on my radar at all. In fact, I didn’t even know it was an official “thing”. But here I am, working with volunteers at Fitted for Work, and I’ve realised this work speaks directly to the values I’ve carried with me all along.
Growing up, I saw community in action every day. My dad was always helping neighbours: fixing things, lending a hand, sharing his skills. Not because he had to, but because that’s just what he did. He never called it volunteering. It was simply his way of being part of the local community. His quiet generosity certainly shaped how I see the world.
Another person who’s inspired me deeply is Jana, the dance teacher who runs Tanzstudio Hagenow in my small hometown back in Germany. She’s poured her heart into our “dance family” for years, volunteering most of her free time to keep it going. She leads with passion for young people, offering a safe place and opportunities to build confidence. Over the past 30 years, she’s built an institution that brings joy and belonging to so many people and continues to invest in the learning and development of the next generation and the team she’s built around her. Watching Jana, I learned that leadership doesn’t always come with a title. It comes with commitment.
Now, working with volunteers in Australia, I see those same threads of generosity and leadership everywhere.
I’ve met people who give their time with open hearts, who show up week after week because they believe in the mission of an organisation. And I have the privilege of supporting them, learning from them, and growing alongside them.
I’m still new to this field, and I’m still figuring things out. But what I know for sure is that volunteer management is more than logistics, despite what my weekly schedule sometimes suggests. It’s about relationships. It’s about creating spaces where people feel valued and connected. And it’s about honouring the boldness it takes to give your time, your energy, and your care to something that matters.
For me, stepping into this role was a bold move. It wasn’t a strategic career decision. It was more of a stumble into something that my gut told me was the right next step when the opportunity came up. As Søren Kierkegaard said, “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
Gina Roggmann
National Volunteer Team Leader – Fitted For Work
As a Program Manager and Volunteer Team Leader at Fitted For Work since January 2024, Gina is passionate about creating spaces where people can grow, gain confidence and access the support they need to thrive.
About Voices of Volunteering
This is a space for members and stakeholders from the volunteering sector to share their experiences, reflections and insights from their work building and strengthening communities across Victoria.
If you would like to contribute, we’d love to hear from you! Contact [email protected] to express your interest.
