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, Marg Joiner reflects on how the landscape has changed over her 30+ year career.
International Volunteer Managers Day gives me pause for thought each year.
For over 30 years, I have been involved in the profession in one way or another. During this time, much has changed – and much, for better or worse, has remained the same.
Volunteer engagement practices have evolved and, for the most part, improved in line with how volunteering and volunteers are viewed, as well as the roles they perform. Far more organisations now plan for volunteers than was once the case. They allocate resources and employ staff to manage volunteer programs, including recruiting, training, and supporting their volunteer workforce.
One of the key drivers of this progress has been the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement. The 2015 version was refreshed in 2024, and many organisations now look to these standards to establish, grow, and develop their volunteer programs. The National Standards have helped codify and define best practice in a scalable way, enabling even very small organisations to implement them without feeling overwhelmed. They also assist Volunteer-Involving Organisations (VIOs) in evaluating their current programs and implementing continuous improvement strategies.
Something I never would have predicted to have such a profound impact is technology. When I began in the profession, ‘social media’ wasn’t even a term. Yet it, along with other technologies, has revolutionised volunteer management – just as it has transformed so many other aspects of our lives.
Social media has enabled us to connect with volunteers, promote programs, and highlight the value of volunteering. It has also fostered greater connection between volunteers and volunteer managers. Messaging platforms have sped up communication, streamlining previously laborious tasks like calling around to fill shifts. Meeting applications such as Teams and Zoom have allowed volunteers to receive training and updates without the need for travel – something many organisations relied on during COVID lockdowns to keep volunteers connected to their organisations and each other.
Perhaps one of the most significant technological transformations has been the development of software programs specifically designed for volunteer managers. Programs such as Better Impact, Volgistics, and others allow managers to easily handle day-to-day tasks like tracking personal details and rostering. More importantly, they offer sophisticated tools to monitor engagement, report on impact, and recognise and reward volunteers accurately and efficiently.
Leaders of Volunteer Engagement as a cohort are also changing. We are beginning to see – albeit slowly – more diversity in the sector. People are bringing with them a vast range of skills, experiences, and a deep passion for the profession.
What we once discussed in hallways and gatherings years ago is now coming to fruition: the growth of Leaders of Volunteers as a recognised profession.
Past examples such as AAVA (Australian Association of Volunteer Administrators) and AAMoV (Australasian Association of Managers of Volunteers), both based in South Australia, laid the groundwork. Today, PAVE (Professional Alliance for Volunteer Engagement) represents the next-generation movement supporting Volunteer Managers and advocating for the profession. The number of professionals who have qualified as CVAs (Certified Volunteer Administrators) is growing rapidly in Australia, and many now proudly carry the post-nominal PLV (Professional Leader of Volunteers).
A number of the “old guard,” myself included, are beginning to step back. But one thing is certain: the next wave of young professionals entering volunteer leadership will be better equipped and supported to lead the sector into the next 30 years and beyond.
Marg Joiner
Marg has over 30 years’ experience in the volunteering sector, including 12 years as Volunteer Program Manager at Zoos Victoria, supporting 850 volunteers across Victoria.
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.
