The New Normal of Volunteering: Making Time Count

·54 min·5 clips

Why baby boomers aren't volunteering more despite retirement, and what it means for nonprofits.

This episode explores the evolving challenges and strategies for volunteer engagement in the post-COVID era. Host Bettina Meyer-Flug interviews Tracy O'Neill, a volunteer engagement specialist with over two decades of experience in Australia's nonprofit sector. Tracy is a social worker and certified volunteer administrator who has managed large volunteer teams across various organizations. Tracy notes significant societal shifts, including dual-income households and the "sandwich generation," which have reduced the leisure time people have to volunteer. She references research from 20 years ago that predicted a baby boomer volunteer influx, which did not materialize as many became caregivers. Volunteers now expect more flexibility, with weekly hour commitments decreasing and a stronger desire for roles that align with personal values. Tracy mentions Australia's new 10-year national volunteering strategy, launched in February, which addresses these changes. The COVID pandemic forced a shift to virtual or hybrid volunteer models, but many organizations struggled as volunteer coordinators were furloughed and contact was lost. Bettina shares a personal anecdote about adapting her therapy dog volunteering from a hospital to a mental health facility and a library during COVID closures. A key insight is that traditional passive recruitment, like online ads, often fails to connect with potential volunteers, especially younger people. Tracy's team learned from youth advisors that young volunteers are more motivated by skill-building and job prospects than by generic "feel-good" messaging. She argues that organizations must move beyond assuming all volunteers want to "give back" and instead engage communities directly to understand their goals. Effective retention strategies include equipping current volunteers with tools, like social media graphics, to recruit their networks and creating family-friendly volunteering opportunities. Tracy emphasizes that viewing volunteers as strategic partners, not just free labor, is crucial for long-term engagement and can lead to increased donations. Bettina shares a story about a Meals on Wheels founder who, at age 80, raised $75,000 for the organization, illustrating the lifelong value of volunteer relationships. For inclusion, Tracy advises removing barriers like complex language and ensuring physical and psychological safety, sharing an example of simplifying police check instructions. She highlights that some migrants or refugees may associate unpaid work with exploitation, requiring sensitive community partnerships. Tracy references the Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement (MAVA) and its work challenging racist practices in volunteer engagement. The tone is conversational and educational, blending professional insights with personal stories from both host and guest. It is practical and advisory, focused on providing actionable strategies for nonprofit professionals. This episode is ideal for nonprofit managers, volunteer coordinators, and anyone involved in building or sustaining volunteer programs. Listeners seeking theoretical discussions or critiques of volunteerism might find it too focused on operational solutions.

As heard by us

A practical listen on turning volunteer goodwill into better systems, better roles, and better use of time.

This episode stays grounded in the practical side of volunteer work after COVID-19. Bettina Meyer-Flug and Tracy O'Neill focus on a point that nonprofit teams often miss: volunteers are not interchangeable labor, and their time works better when their skills are actually used.

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Why you'd press play

You want a smarter volunteer strategy that starts with skills and conversation, not just labor.

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