What does volunteer management have in common with gardening? According to experts Tobi Johnson and Ruth Leonard, when it comes to creating a thriving volunteer culture, quite a lot!
In their session at our latest conference, they invited everyone to rethink how they nurture volunteers, drawing powerful parallels between cultivating healthy soil and building supportive environments where people can thrive.
Together, they explore how thoughtful planning, experimentation, and care can transform a volunteer programme into a living, self-sustaining ecosystem.
Planting the Right Seeds
Every garden begins with planting. For volunteer managers, that means thinking carefully about how you bring new people into your organisation. Just like seeds, each volunteer holds unique potential. With the right support at the right time, they can grow in unexpected and valuable directions.
Key takeaway: Recruitment isn’t only about filling gaps. It’s about creating the right conditions for volunteers to thrive in ways that support both their own motivations and your organisation’s mission.
Nurturing Growth with Care and Consistency
A healthy garden needs consistent watering and care. And so do your volunteers! Tobi and Ruth highlighted the importance of communication, recognition, and trust as the “nutrients” that sustain long-term engagement. Volunteers who feel valued and supported are far more likely to stay and contribute meaningfully.
Key takeaway: Build regular check-ins and feedback into your volunteer programme. Even simple recognition, like saying thank you and sharing achievements, keeps your volunteer culture resilient.
Embracing Experimentation
Not every plant grows where you expect it to. The same applies to volunteering. Given the space to experiment, volunteers often uncover strengths or skills they didn’t even know they had.
Key takeaway: Flexibility is powerful. Allow volunteers to try different roles or projects, and be open to evolving opportunities. This can bring fresh energy and reveal hidden talents.
Diversity Builds Strength
Just as biodiversity makes a garden more resilient, diversity enriches volunteer culture. Different perspectives, experiences, and skills create stronger, more adaptable teams.
Key takeaway: Actively nurture diversity and inclusivity. A broad mix of volunteers doesn’t just reflect your community, it strengthens your organisation’s ability to grow and respond to new challenges.
Protecting and Celebrating the Harvest
Gardeners know the importance of protecting their crops and celebrating the harvest. Volunteer managers should do the same. Protecting your culture means ensuring contributions remain meaningful and aligned with your purpose, while celebration reinforces a sense of shared achievement.
Key takeaway: Don’t only measure outputs, celebrate outcomes. Share stories, recognise milestones, and show volunteers the bigger picture they’re helping to create.
Final Thoughts
Tobi and Ruth’s session was a great reminder that volunteer management isn’t just a process, it’s something you nurture. With a bit of planning, care, creativity, and a focus on diversity, volunteer managers can grow a vibrant culture that keeps thriving year after year. Like a garden!
At TeamKinetic, we know how important your role is, and we’re here to give you the tools and support you need to grow your own flourishing ‘garden’ of volunteers.
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