Volunteer Management Essentials
Volunteers are at the heart of so many community organisations, but attracting, supporting and retaining them requires more than good intentions. A well-managed volunteer programme helps create a positive experience for volunteers while enabling your organisation to achieve its aims safely, effectively and sustainably.
Volunteer Management Essentials is a practical series of four workshops designed to give anyone involved in volunteer management the knowledge, confidence and tools to build and maintain a successful volunteer programme.
Whether you're new to managing volunteers, looking to refresh your knowledge, or reviewing your current approach, these sessions provide a solid foundation in the four essential elements of volunteer management.
The workshops are designed to complement one another, taking you through the volunteer journey from preparing your organisation to involve volunteers, through to welcoming them, keeping them engaged and confidently handling challenging situations. Attending all four sessions will provide a comprehensive understanding of volunteer management, but each workshop also stands alone and can be booked individually to meet your organisation's specific needs.
The Programme
Session 1 – Volunteer Ready: Building Strong Foundations
Thursday 10 September | 10.00am – 2.30pm | Volunteer Centre Dorset
Before recruiting volunteers, it's important to have the right foundations in place. This practical workshop explores the essential building blocks of effective volunteer management, including policies, planning, volunteer roles and creating a positive volunteering experience. Click here to book your place.
Session 2 – Developing an Effective Induction
Thursday 24 September | 10.00am – 2.30pm | Volunteer Centre Dorset
A strong induction helps volunteers feel welcomed, confident and ready to contribute from day one. Discover how to create an engaging induction programme that helps volunteers feel informed, supported and connected to your organisation. Click here to book your place.
Session 3 – Fostering and Maintaining Engagement with Volunteers
Wednesday 21 October | 10.00am – 2.30pm | Volunteer Centre Dorset
Volunteer engagement is about more than saying thank you. Learn how to build positive relationships, create a sense of belonging and develop practical approaches to keeping volunteers motivated, supported and involved. Click here to book your place.
Session 4 – Handling Challenging Situations with Confidence
Thursday 5 November | 10.00am – 2.30pm | Volunteer Centre Dorset
Every organisation will encounter challenging situations from time to time. This practical workshop explores how to set clear expectations, have constructive conversations and confidently manage issues while maintaining positive volunteer relationships. Click here to book your place.
We're delighted to welcome Lynn Willmott from the Museum of East Dorset to deliver the Volunteer Management Essentials series. Lynn brings a wealth of experience in volunteer management, leadership and community engagement and is passionate about creating positive volunteering experiences, Lynn combines practical expertise with an engaging and supportive training style. Her workshops are packed with real-life examples, practical tools and ideas that you can take away and apply within your own organisation.
Whether you attend one session or complete the full programme, you'll leave with greater confidence, practical resources and an action plan to help strengthen volunteering within your organisation.
We look forward to welcoming you!