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This week we are so jazzed to welcome guest blog writer Jessica Pang-.Parks. Jessica is an award-winning Volunteer Engagement Thought Leader who loves cats, learning, and sharing her Chinese Canadian culture. She is the principal of Learn with JPP.

Volunteer engagement is often underestimated. It’s seen as a nice-to-have, something nonprofit organizations will get to once fundraising, programming, and communications are sorted. But here’s the truth: Effective volunteer engagement is strategic work. It shapes reputation, drives impact, and builds lasting relationships with your community.

As someone who teaches, consults, and advocates in this space, I’ve seen how small shifts in understanding can lead to major improvements in outcomes. And, I want to help more nonprofits move from reactive to intentional when it comes to volunteer engagement.

Let’s begin with a common misconception: volunteers are not unpaid interns, and they’re not placement students either. Interns are paid entry-level staff gaining hands-on experience, often with an eye toward future employment. Placement students exchange their time at an organization for academic credit, which is a form a compensation. 

Volunteers, on the other hand, give their time freely without compensation or expectation of compensation. That distinction is not just about semantics. It matters legally, ethically, and operationally, especially for organizations that want to build trust and long-term engagement.

On the topic of ethics, volunteers should never replace paid roles. Their contributions should supplement, not supplant, staff efforts. Organizations need to be mindful of employment standards, labour laws, and the risks associated with human resource misclassification.

Beyond compliance, there are missed revenue opportunities. For example, did you know 2024 research shows that people who volunteer are more likely to donate? Yet few organizations are analyzing their volunteer and donor data together to identify individuals to steward in new ways. If you haven't explored that connection yet, now is the time.

Another common trap: focusing only on recruitment. Recruitment is just one piece of the larger volunteer engagement cycle, and not even the first step. This cycle is centered on stewardship and starts with planning. You need to be ready to welcome, support, and retain volunteers before you ever start spreading the word. That includes having systems in place to respond to inquiries, onboard volunteers, provide training, and keep people informed.

Unfortunately, too many candidates never hear back from an organization after they express interest in volunteering. This not only harms the organization’s reputation, it undermines trust in the sector as a whole. Consistent follow-up, even when the answer is no, matters. If responding to every inquiry or application feels daunting, I’ve created a free Volunteer Response Template that can help you build stronger communication and trust from the first point of contact.

I also offer one-on-one coaching for teams who want to strengthen volunteer engagement processes or train their teams on ethical and responsive volunteer communication.

Another thing to consider is revisiting our language. Phrases like “using volunteers” or “free help” may seem minor, but they reveal a transactional mindset. Volunteers are not tools to be used or a resource to be extracted. 

Volunteers are people, and the way we talk about them reflects how we interact with them. These subtle cues can either build trust or erode it. My challenge to you: find one or two ways for your organization to shift its language (written, spoken, form, and informal) to be more human-centered, values-aligned, and respectful?

Similarly, we often reduce volunteer impact to hours and headcounts. While tracking time is important, it’s not the full picture. What if you also reported on meals delivered, legislation passed, or stories of changed lives? If you’re ready to go deeper, I recommend these tools from Sue Carter Kahl that will help you showcase volunteer impact in innovative ways. 

Recognition is another area worth rethinking. The most meaningful forms of recognition are personalized and connected to the volunteer’s contribution and goals. A branded water bottle is nice, but what truly matters is the quality of the volunteer experience. If volunteers feel disorganized, unappreciated, or disconnected from the mission, no gift will make up for that.

Finally, we need to stop treating volunteer engagement as a side project. It is complex, nuanced work that requires real expertise. A 2017 survey by the Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement found that volunteer engagement professionals were expected to have more skills across communication, program development, and partnerships than either HR or fundraising staff. So why do we keep assigning volunteer engagement work to new grads, or tacking it on to someone else’s already full plate?

If your organization is ready to take volunteer engagement seriously, I can help. Whether you’re looking to hire a dedicated volunteer manager, audit your current practices, or upskill your team, Learn with JPP offers tailored consulting and fractional executive support to meet your needs.

You work hard to build community trust. Volunteers are part of that story. Investing in their experience will return value in ways you can see, measure, and feel across your organization.

Today we welcome guest blog writer Adeola. She was able to connect with an organization she felt immense alignment with thanks to VolunteerConnector.

Every now and then a man’s mind is stretched by a new idea or sensation and never shrinks back to its former dimensions. 

- Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr (Sept. 1858). 

The Power of Perspective 

I have always believed that the fundamental difference between one person and another is firmly rooted in perspective. The people we encounter along with the ideas, cultures and histories beyond our immediate experience play a role in broadening our perspective. This exposure to other perspectives and ideas challenges our assumptions, broadens our empathy and shapes our thoughts. 

Why do I hold this opinion? 

When I was young, my mom taught at a nearby public primary school in my home country. My siblings and I would usually wait for her to finish up at school so we could go home together. I can’t even begin to describe some of the things I saw at the school. Although I was young, I knew these were anomalies. Like me, these children were young, yet they already faced barriers that might impact their progress in life. 

So, when I had the opportunity, I volunteered at a nonprofit organization focused on educating young minds. When I came across Ainembabazi Children's Project (ACP), I was actively looking for an organization that had meaningful work to do. Somewhere I could truly serve. I didn’t want a token role or a feel-good task. I wanted to contribute, to be challenged, and to help in a space where immense help was needed to make meaningful impact. 

When I joined ACP, I met an amazing team. People who were committed and eager to do everything they could to make a difference. I joined the communications team. It was really one of the most fluid teams, since we often had new members joining every once in a while, and we not only had to onboard them but also give them an opportunity to contribute and to learn. 

I was deeply inspired by ACP’s mission and the community it serves. The focus on supporting orphans, vulnerable children and the girl-child. The opportunity to support in any way I could so that the children can have access to quality education that would help lift them above the poverty line. 

Volunteering with ACP, Canada was an incredible experience. I met new people, gained new perspective and most importantly, I hope I've helped amplify the voices of those who might not have the opportunity to advocate for themselves.

We had the awesome opportunity to meet with a very cool individual last week- Hava saw a need in her community of Edmonton and created an organization to meet that challenge. This organization has helped people like Traci whose story they share below. 

Introduction 

Hope and resilience are often the keys to overcoming adversity. In the realm of employment, personal success stories serve as powerful reminders of the transformative impact that perseverance, opportunity, and self-belief can have. This narrative explores the journey of an individual finding hope in employment, demonstrating that even amidst challenges, determination can lead to remarkable success. 

The Beginning of a Journey 

For many, the search for meaningful employment begins with uncertainty. Traci faced several challenges, including raising a child alone and finding domestic work amid economic downturns due to her educational level. With limited opportunities in finding work as domestic and mounting financial pressures, Traci felt the weight of rejection and self-doubt. Traci should contact Empowering the Next Generation Ltd for support. Traci and the caseworker Hava Mursal from Empowering the next Generation ltd discussed plans and goals to help Traci accomplish her goal finding work in Edmonton AB. Traci and Hava worked together by creating resumes and a cover letter. Traci continues to face challenges in securing employment due to underlying discrimination related to her past lifestyle. Nevertheless, Hava remained hopeful that the right opportunity will eventually present itself and Traci will have an opportunity to work. 

Facing Obstacles 

Traci journey was fraught with challenges. Months of job applications yielded little success, as interviews seemed to lead nowhere. Traci mainly faced discrimination due to her being a Indigenous person and her past lifestyle. 

Her years of working as a cleaner appeared insufficient to meet employer demands. Still, Traci made a conscious decision to view each rejection as an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow. 

Hava guided Traci in attending workshops, refining her resume, and cold calling organizations for work. Traci noticed the efforts and began learning to advocate for herself. Hava informed Traci that this is an opportunity for her personal development and future investments. 

The Turning Point 

At a workshop, Traci introduced herself and mentioned she was seeking domestic work. This led to a conversation with a classmate. From there Traci found herself doing an interview and she landed a cleaning job with a company that hired clients that are struggling finding work. Traci learned creative ways to network and approached the interview with authenticity and positivity. 

The Power of Opportunity 

Empowering the Next Generation Ltd creates opportunities that encourage clients to think differently and adopt innovative methods to address and manage discrimination challenges faced in workplaces. Traci has learned to advocate for herself, enabling her to grow as a person and live a meaningful life despite facing discrimination. 

Embracing Growth 

In her new role, Traci quickly earned her team's trust, being approachable and punctual. 

Empowering the Next Generation Ltd, through the mentorship that Hava, provided guidance to Traci, equipping her with the skills and abilities to approach challenges with resilience and adapt to unforeseen circumstances, thereby enhancing her self-confidence. 

Empowering the Next Generation ltd. Believes giving hope and each milestone reaffirmed the belief that perseverance and hope can lead to extraordinary achievements. 

Lessons Learned 

Traci’s success story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and self-belief. Through her journey, several key lessons emerged: 

· Treat rejection as a learning opportunity: Every setback is a chance to improve your skills and approach. 

· Stay patient and hopeful: The path to success often takes time, but perseverance pays off. 

Conclusion 

Finding hope in employment is more than just securing a job; it is about discovering purpose, embracing growth, and creating a positive impact. Traci’s journey reminds us that challenges are temporary, but the lessons and skills gained along the way are lasting. Her story serves as an inspiration for those seeking to navigate the complexities of employment and find fulfillment in their life. 

Hope and determination are powerful allies in the quest for success. As Traci’s narrative shows, with resilience, open-mindedness, and a commitment to self-growth, even the most daunting obstacles can transform into stepping stones toward a brighter future.

This week, we welcome guest blog writer Saumya Colgan. Saumya is a high school senior born in Scotland with Irish and Indian origins. She has been volunteering since she was seven and is currently a Wayfinder at Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre. In 2023, she volunteered in the Dominican Republic as part of a global health initiative, creating sustainable structures and offering basic healthcare to communities. 

When I was younger, I read a book called Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McLeod. It describes how everyone has an invisible bucket to hold good thoughts and feelings. The book is meant to teach kids how to be kind to others and "fill their buckets," but I believe that it is a good metaphor for human interactions. As a volunteer, I strive to fill others' buckets and often find that mine gets filled too. Whenever I reflect on this concept, a particular memory surfaces. It was a cold winter day, and I had just returned to my post. I was smiling at everyone walking past me when suddenly, a woman stopped in her tracks, looked at me, and said: "Thank you for your smile." This fleeting moment filled my bucket and reminded me why I volunteer.  We don't always know what others are carrying. They might feel lonely, unseen or have faced bad news. A smile, a simple yet powerful tool, can fill others' buckets and serve as a friendly reminder that warmth and positivity still exist in the world. Although volunteers have a formal purpose, I believe our job is to brighten environments. Volunteering is unique because it isn't a paid position, meaning everyone has chosen to show up every day. Even when things feel a bit slow, I have never ended a shift in a bad mood. I've had difficult moments, but I've learned from them and view them as chances to fill others' buckets. Volunteering is and has always been one of the highlights of my life. Throughout the years, I have had many opportunities to forge invaluable human connections. These connections, built on the foundation of kindness, make volunteering truly special. Volunteers are bucket fillers, the silent contributors who make the world a little brighter. 

This week are excited to welcome guest blog writer Thanishka. Thanishka is a passionate storyteller and creator, always seeking ways to connect with others through words. Writing has been a lifelong love, from crafting stories to song lyrics and poems. Thanishka thrives on exploring new ideas and expressing themselves in creative ways that resonate with people.

I remember being 12 years old and nervously tying my shoes before heading out the door. It was my first time volunteering, just a small afternoon at a local event. I didn’t really know what to expect. I just knew I wanted to do something that made a difference, even if it was small. The world felt too big sometimes, and I was still figuring out how I fit into it.

When I got there, the room was warm, full of chatter, clinking spoons, and friendliness. I was asked to hand out drinks. Simple, right? But somehow, it felt like more. People smiled. Said thank you. One guy told me about his day. Someone else complimented my hoodie. Another asked if I liked tea or coffee better, and we got into this whole random debate about it.

At the time, I thought I was just pouring juice.

But it wasn’t really about the juice. It was about presence. About being there. Letting myself be seen on more than a physical level. I was just a kid still trying to figure things out, and somehow, I felt like I mattered in that space.

Since then, I’ve done other things, like packing hygiene kits, tutoring kids in math, and once I even helped design posters for a food drive. But I always go back to that first time. It wasn’t fancy or impressive, but it stuck with me. I think that’s the thing with volunteering, it sneaks up on you. You think you’re helping others, and somehow you end up being helped too.

This week we welcome a guest blogger from Calgary. Sabiha lives in Calgary, just near the Bow River where she enjoys listening to a good audiobook while taking in the teal colours of the water.

I got into volunteering during my first year of college, initially on the advice of a mentor. As an inexperienced student, I was told that volunteering would enhance my resume. At the time, I didn’t have any goals beyond that. The mentor recommended The Yellow Door, as a potential organization in Montreal, which supports elderly members of the community. 

When I started, I didn’t realize how deeply the experience would impact my life, and not just my resume. I became a friendly visitor to a retired nurse who lived alone. Although her son visited regularly, she was looking for company on other days to go for coffee or walks. Until then, most of my social circle had consisted of people my own age. Growing up, my grandparents either lived abroad or had passed away, so I had little experience interacting closely with the older generation. 

Spending time with the retired nurse opened my eyes to the wisdom, resilience, and insight that comes with age. I especially enjoyed listening to her stories about being a working mother and wife, experiences that would become relevant to me only a few years later. Real life, human connections like these are invaluable. Listening to my new companion’s challenges, successes, and life lessons helped me reflect on my own values and make more informed decisions. Interacting with my senior companion has had a calming effect. The older generation is less distracted and less in a rush. They’ve mastered the art of living and listening. 

More than anything, volunteering made me pause and reflect on what truly matters in life. I started out, thinking I was simply giving back to the community, but I gained so much more. After every visit, the sense of meaning and appreciation I felt far outweighed the small amount of time I was giving. 

Since moving to Calgary, I’ve continued volunteering with seniors through Bethany Senior Care and the Calgary Seniors Resource Society. These ongoing experiences have only further enriched my life. The elderly in our community are often an underserved population. Many of them have contributed to society in their younger years and supporting them now is a way of bringing life full circle. 

Volunteering with seniors started as a resume booster, but it has become a lifelong journey of growth and gratitude of the human experience.

We had the immense pleasure of being present at Board Leadership Calgary a couple weeks ago. It was a chance to connect with some awesome humans doing cool work in their pockets of community. Huge thank you to Justin Solamillo and the team at the Government of Alberta Community Development Unit. VolunteerConnector got to spend 90 cool minutes immersed in the intersection of community building, organizations and humans trying their best. 

There are three reflections we have from this event and the time we spent. 

Great suggestion for our always in our hearts merchandise line of “the best volunteers are prickly”. We are thinking plant pot with a cactus in it. 

There was a profound moment where many organizations in the room were sharing the current state of volunteerism in their organizations. It was mostly a story of struggle. From trying to recover from Covid to simply not seeing the response from efforts that they had hoped. Present in the room were also 3 awesome young people from Youth Central who shared their perspective of wanting to engage in community but not being able to find open opportunities. And there it was, without us even having to say it. There are not less people out there looking for opportunities, there are different people out there looking. It is tough work, but it is up to organizations and the people in them to shift roles, processes and opportunities to connect with the people out there who do want to and have capacity to volunteer.

Finally, to get us started and focussed on the work of volunteer engagement we inquired about the best or worst advice people had been given about engaging volunteers. The most common answer around the room was none. No advice. What a moment so aligned with learning that across the country of the 1.3 million organization, charities, nonprofits, grassroots groups that 1 million of them are volunteer run with no staff. Most people who engage volunteers are volunteers themselves and they are doing it through their own grit, determination and trial. 

This week we are so fortunate to feature a guest blog from Volunteer Ottawa. Founded in 1957, Volunteer Ottawa is one of many volunteer centres across Canada.Volunteer Ottawa connects people to one another and to hundreds of local charities that rely on the time and talent of volunteers. We provide supports and services to promote and celebrate volunteerism, help volunteers find opportunities, strengthen non-profit capacity through training and networking, inspire diversity and inclusion, and encourage local employers to invest in the community. 

Last year, Volunteer Ottawa helped Export Development Canada (EDC) with its biggest Community Impact Day ever! VO has helped organize this annual event with EDC for 8 years, and in 2024 it coincided with EDC’s employee conference in Ottawa. 1600 EDC employees from Ottawa, across Canada, and around the world gathered on June 6 to donate their time and talent to 40 organizations across Ottawa and region.

The volunteers received a warm welcome and some of the activities were featured in local news, like the tree planting activity at Ottawa Community Housing. Roughly 4,800 hours were donated to achieve impressive results, including: 

Hundreds of sandwiches and Hope Bags made for the Ottawa Mission 

Over 60 donations of blood and plasma to the Canadian Blood Services 

Hundreds of walkers raised awareness for CARE Canada 

Piles of invasive plants like buckthorn removed for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Ottawa Valley Chapter and the Riverview Park Community Association 

Gardening, cleaning & beautification projects across the city for organizations like Ottawa Community Housing Corporation, Mādahòkì Farm, Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard, Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, and many more

The organizations hosting volunteers reported that EDC employees were smiling (despite often being soaking wet) and worked hard – in many cases completing more work than anticipated!

Thank you to all the participating organizations and to the many EDC employees who donated time and talent.

This week we welcome guest blog writer Jason Nguyen. Jason was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta with Vietnamese origins. He graduated from the University of Calgary, Haskayne School of Business in 2019, but has a passion for the arts--most specifically writing! 

Who would have thought one randomly-presented volunteer opportunity would change the trajectory of my entire life? Not the version of me that agreed to it, that’s for sure. 

Let me tell you about the time I agreed to choreograph a dance performance for my church’s Lunar New Year festival. I must have only been 19 years-old at the time, but word got out in my church community that I was a dancer. To be clear, I was not a choreographer nor did I have any experience teaching dance. I was just a recreational breakdancer and somehow one of the members of the choir found out and approached me to ask if I could come up with a dance to perform at the annual Lunar New Year festival. Naturally, I asked if they had any dancers they could spare for the performance. I ended up with a group of about ten kids I had never met before (save for the one closest to my age with whom I attended Sunday school). 

None of these kids had any dancing experience, but I can honestly say they were all good dancers. It did not take them long to pick up the inherently basic steps that I had come up with. Remember that I had never choreographed a dance before myself so I kept things nice and easy. We performed the 2- or 3-minute-long dance at the festival for the parents and the crowd went crazy. The applause from the crowd and the smiles I saw on the faces of my makeshift dance team was enough of a reward for me to be glad I volunteered my time, but it didn’t end there. 

The next year, they asked me to choreograph another dance and this time…a group of about thirty kids showed up! Over the course of the next few months, I came up with and taught dance to this group of bright, young kids and more importantly, created long-lasting friendships and mentorship relationships. We were lucky enough to perform for another couple of years before we got too busy with our lives, but I don’t think those memories will ever fully fade from our minds. One of the guys on the dance team even asked me to be one of his groomsmen at his wedding next year! Needless to say, I am tremendously glad I was offered this volunteer opportunity and if I had the chance to do it again, I’d take it up in a heartbeat.

This week we welcome a collaborative guest blog from the Volunteer Centre of Calgary and Youth Central. Youth Central is a Calgary based organization that inspires youth to become changemakers in their communities by offering meaningful leadership and volunteer opportunities. Every year, over 2,200 young people in Calgary, ages 12 to 18, join their programs and events—growing in confidence, forging lasting connections, and developing the skills they need to lead with purpose and passion. 

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week across Canada, Youth Central and Volunteer Calgary want to take a moment to recognize the immense impact of volunteers on the wellbeing and vibrancy of our communities.

As Volunteer Canada beautifully says, "Volunteers Make Waves." And they do - waves that ripple outwards, touching countless lives. 

They serve warm meals with compassion and without judgment.

They power youth sports and enrichment programs, nurturing the next generation of compassionate, engaged citizens.

They are the engine behind our cities’ most vibrant festivals, arts events, and cultural moments—making connection and celebration accessible to everyone.

They are the force behind our cities' most vibrant events, ensuring that everyone has access to art, culture, and connection.

And that’s just the beginning.

Our communities thrive because of volunteers—people who give their time not for recognition or reward, but from a simple hope: to make someone else’s day a little brighter. In return, they often discover deep connections and a profound sense of belonging.

The volunteer landscape is changing

 Just like our neighborhoods, the volunteer landscape is evolving. The demographics are shifting. youth are stepping up in large numbers, eager to make a difference. The second-fastest growing group of volunteers? Newcomers to Canada.

Why the shift?

Many young people are searching for ways to take meaningful action in a world that feels uncertain. Volunteering gives them that outlet—an empowering way to build community and create change. For newcomers, it’s a powerful tool to connect with others, contribute their talents, and grow their sense of belonging in a new place.

So why are organizations still struggling to find volunteers? 

Despite this growing interest, many nonprofits are finding it harder than ever to attract and retain volunteers.

As a sector, we’re working to better understand this disconnect. But a few patterns are emerging. TThere’s a gap between what volunteers are looking for and what many organizations are currently equipped to offer.

Modern volunteers want flexibility. They want to contribute quickly, without long screening processes. They want opportunities that fit their lifestyles, reflect their values, and allow them to use their skills in meaningful ways.

Meanwhile, many organizations are still navigating post-pandemic realities. Some haven’t been able to rehire volunteer managers since pandemic-related layoffs, making it hard to adapt existing systems or engagement strategies to meet today’s new  expectations.

Together, we can close this gap 

To ride this new wave of interest, we need to evolve how we engage volunteers. That means rethinking old models and adapting to what today’s volunteers are really looking for:

• Be flexible. Not everyone can commit every Tuesday at 2. Offer short-term, remote, or project-based roles that accommodate real life.
• Make it meaningful. Volunteers want to do work that matters. Invite them to share their skills, passions, and ideas.
• Show the impact. A simple thank-you, a story about how their contribution made a difference, or a quick update on results can go a long way.
• Cut the red tape. If signing up feels harder than getting a passport, you’ll lose people. Make it easy to get involved.
• Invest in volunteer management. Volunteer coordinators are the heart of engagement. Rebuilding this capacity is crucial to meaningful and sustainable volunteer relationships.

The interest is there. People want to help. Organizations just need to meet folks where they are.

You’re not alone. 

If you are in Calgary- Youth Central and Volunteer Calgary are here to support organizations. We offer free support to help you adapt to this new wave of volunteerism. And once you're ready, we’ve got thousands of eager individuals ready to connect with causes like yours.

Together, we can create a volunteer landscape that reflects the energy, diversity, and generosity of our communities.

Let’s make volunteering accessible, impactful, and truly meaningful, and more powerful than ever. 

To all those who feel the pull to give back: we see you, and we’re ready to connect you. Reach out to Volunteer Calgary, Youth Central, or your local volunteer centre—we’ll help you find the right fit. 

The future of volunteerism is bright. Let’s ride this wave—together.