Inspiring Your Volunteers

Volunteers are the heartbeat of not-for-profits. They come with open hearts and good will, ready to make a difference. But let’s be real—just like anything volunteering can be tough, confronting and sometimes not what we expected and overtime our motivation can falter. Volunteers, like anyone get distracted by life events, feel disconnected to their core motivation for getting involved, or simply burn out. So, how do we keep volunteers inspired, feeling valued, and driven to contribute their time and energy?

Let’s dive deeper into the reasons why volunteers lose that spark and, more importantly, what you, as a volunteer leader (whether a volunteer yourself or paid), can do to reignite it.

What Causes Volunteers to Lose Inspiration?

It’s important to remember that volunteers are human beings first. They have emotions, desires, fears, and lives outside their volunteering commitments. When we don’t consider the human experience, it’s easy to forget why volunteers might be disengaging.

Here are some common human behaviour insights that shed light on why volunteers might lose their sense of purpose:

Lack of Meaning and Purpose

At the core of human behaviour is the need for purpose. When people don’t feel like they’re contributing to something bigger, they naturally disconnect. Volunteers need to know that what they’re doing—whether small or large—matters and that it is making a difference. It’s essential to regularly remind them that their work is changing lives, protecting environments, or creating better futures…. give the stories, detail the impact and collect and present the data that gives the proof of impact. Communicate the wins, often and in many ways, everyone wants to be part of the winning team.

If volunteers don’t see or feel the impact of their actions, they can feel like they’re just going through the motions. And that’s when they start to drift away. If your cause is not achieving, expect to loose people and momentum.

Feeling Invisible

Human beings crave recognition. We all want to be seen, heard, and appreciated. Think about it—when you do something for someone else, and no one acknowledges it, how does it make you feel? When contributions are overlooked, people can start to feel invisible, like their efforts dont matter, which quickly leads to disengagement.

As a leader, it’s not just about saying “thank you” once in a while. It’s about creating a culture where volunteers truly feel valued consistently.
Award ceremonies and public accolades don’t appeal to everyone and often the big splash can fail to really tap into a deep internal motivation. Creating a culture of appreciation starts with noticing, naming and recognising the achievements and contributions in a variety of ways and often.

Lack of Connection

Volunteering isn’t just about doing work—it’s about being part of a community. People are social creatures, and when volunteers feel isolated or disconnected from the group, their motivation tends to dwindle. When they don’t feel that sense of belonging, it’s harder for them to stay committed.

One of the top reasons people join groups is to meet new people. Creating a social environment where people can build relationship and trust amougst each other helps groups to thrive.

Burnout from Over-Commitment

We’ve all been there—overloading ourselves with too much to do. When our volunteers take on too many responsibilities, they can quickly feel overwhelmed. They came to the organisation to make a difference, but suddenly it feels like a burden rather than a passion. Increased legislative requirements and mounting piles of administration have become the norm in so many organisations now and its not always truly moving the needle on the cause.

Burnout happens when we don’t recognise the limits of our own energy, when we say yes to to much, when we feel like we have to do it because there is no one else who will step up, this can lead to complete disengagement and sometimes serious health impacts.

We must simplify, say no and remember that volunteering is an active choice we make each day. Boundaries are important and getting comfortable setting them is even more important.

Lately we’ve been normalising saying no….. by celebrating every time someone does! Imagine that, if no was seen as ok.

Lack of Growth and Challenge

Humans thrive on growth. We seek opportunities to learn, expand, and challenge ourselves. When a volunteer role becomes repetitive or stagnant, people lose their interest. The absence of opportunities for personal growth can make them feel like their potential is being wasted.

Find new ways to do old things, find new speakers to shed new light, expertise and perspectives and importantly rotate roles! We are big fans of having tenure limits in committees and ensuring it's locked in stone in the constitution. Share the roles, share the load, share the learnings, keep things fresh and manage the risk of roles becoming people.

How Can Volunteer Leaders Reignite Inspiration?

Now that we know why volunteers may lose their spark, let’s explore ways to reignite that passion and commitment. Think of this as tapping into the psychology of motivation. Volunteers want to feel seen, inspired, and challenged.

Here’s how you can make that happen:

Connect Them to the Bigger Picture

Volunteers need to feel that what they’re doing makes a tangible difference. Storytelling can be a powerful way to bridge this gap. Share stories of how their contributions have changed lives or impacted the community. When volunteers know they’re part of something bigger, their drive and commitment grow. Let them see the difference they’re making, and you’ll see the collective motivation soar.

A key insight here is that people are more motivated when they can connect emotionally to a cause. Send out regular updates, success stories, or invite volunteers to events where they can see the direct impact of their work.

Regularly Recognise Their Efforts

Simple, but so important. Recognition is a universal human need. Whether it’s a personal thank-you note, a public shout-out, or a small token of appreciation, volunteers, like anyone need to feel valued. Recognition doesn’t need to cost anything—it just needs to be genuine. Acknowledge their unique contributions and highlight their individual strengths. This makes them feel like an integral part of the organisation.

Foster a Sense of Community

Create opportunities for volunteers to connect with one another. Whether it’s through team-building activities, social gatherings, or even just casual catch-ups, fostering relationships is crucial. When volunteers feel connected to the people they work with, they’re more likely to stay committed. Humans are wired for connection, and being part of a close-knit community can be a huge source of motivation.

Don’t forget that volunteering should be fun and meaningful. Hosting casual events like coffee catch-ups or end-of-project celebrations can strengthen bonds and keep that energy alive.

Offer Opportunities for Growth

One of the most powerful ways to keep people engaged is to offer them opportunities for growth. Provide training, give them new challenges, or allow them to take on leadership roles. By investing in their personal development, you not only keep them engaged but also increase their loyalty to the cause.

Remember that volunteers are looking for something more than just giving their time—they are often looking for ways to grow as individuals. Create pathways for them to develop new skills or take on different responsibilities that challenge them.

Be Flexible and Respect Their Boundaries

Flexibility is key to long-term engagement. Volunteers have lives outside the organisation, and they’ll appreciate leaders who respect their time and personal commitments. Burnout happens when volunteers are expected to do too much. As a leader, it’s important to check in with them regularly, ask how they’re feeling, and make sure they aren’t overburdened. Find ways to clear the path ahead of them and make things fun and meaningful.

Communicate Openly and Regularly

Clear and consistent communication is essential. Volunteers need to be kept in the loop about the organisation’s goals, upcoming events, and how their work ties into the larger mission. This fosters a sense of ownership and inclusion. When volunteers feel informed, they feel like part of the team.

And don’t just communicate when you need something—regularly share updates, thank them for their efforts, and make sure they know they’re valued members of the organisation.

A Leadership Approach That Inspires

At the end of the day, leadership isn’t just about assigning tasks—it’s about inspiring people. Volunteer leaders have the unique responsibility of nurturing the passion and energy of individuals who give their time freely.

By tapping into the psychology of human behaviour—understanding that people need purpose, recognition, connection, and growth—you can create a space where volunteers not only feel motivated but are excited to give their time and talents.

Inspiration doesn’t just come from what volunteers do; it comes from how they feel about the work they’re doing and the people they’re working with. When you create an environment where volunteers feel connected, appreciated, and part of something bigger, you’ll see their commitment and energy thrive.