You’ve got volunteers.
They’re willing. Excited. Showing up.
But let’s be honest…
You’re not sure what to do with them.
They’re taking photos while you’re trying to manage budgets.
And sometimes they create more admin than help.
Sound familiar?
You don’t need more volunteers.
You need a system that makes them matter.
Volunteers Can Be Your Biggest Asset Or Your Biggest Distraction
Conservation attracts people who want to do good.
But most orgs fail to channel that energy into outcomes.
Why?
Because there’s no:
- Onboarding
- Role clarity
- Supervision
- Feedback loop
- Exit plan
Instead, you get:
- Unused talent
- Awkward downtime
- Frustrated staff
- Underwhelmed volunteers
- Burned bridges
What a Volunteer Powerhouse Looks Like
Here’s how high-functioning orgs do it:
✅ 1. Defined Roles Before Arrival
Don’t wait until they show up. Know what you need then match volunteers to it.
📍 Example:
“We need 2 volunteers to assist with data input and guest check-ins from Dec–Jan. Must be fluent in English & isiZulu.”
✅ 2. 1-Page Onboarding Sheet
Tell them:
- What’s expected
- How decisions work
- Who to ask
- Where the coffee is
✅ 3. Skill-Based Matching
Use their strengths, not just their hands.
📍 A graphic designer shouldn’t be chopping firewood.
📍 A law grad might help with policy review or proposal editing.
Ask: “What do you love doing, and what are you good at?”
✅ 4. One Person Owns Volunteer Oversight
Even if it’s just 15 minutes a day, someone must lead.
No owner = no engagement = wasted energy.
✅ 5. Give Feedback + Ask for It
Tell them they’re doing well. Or help them course-correct.
And always ask: “How could we have made your time more impactful?”
One reserve I worked with had 11 volunteers from 4 countries —
All sleeping in a staff house with no defined roles, no daily plan, and no guidance.
By week 2:
- 2 left early
- 3 were wandering around
- 1 was helping but doing the wrong task
We put in:
- A 1-page welcome brief
- A weekly task board
- 1 daily team huddle
Result? Everyone contributed. Everyone felt valued. Everyone wanted to return.
Volunteers are more than extra hands.
They’re potential allies, ambassadors, and amplifiers — if you build a system that uses them wisely.
If your team dreads managing volunteers… or you’re not sure how to structure the flow then let’s fix that together.
Let’s build your legacy Together
Book a free call to chat about where you need help
