Meet Carolyn Ratnik, Adviser of Members & Volunteers at Australian Red Cross. In this Share Your Story – Volunteer Managers Edition feature for International Volunteer Managers Day (IVMDay), Carolyn shares her journey.
Why Bold Leadership Matters in Volunteer Management
Bold leadership in volunteer management is important because it forms the basis of how volunteers are engaged, empowered and valued in an organisation.
Leadership approached in this way maximises volunteer impact through greater satisfaction and retention, it encourages creative and collaborative problem solving, and it enhances pride and ownership.
Bold leadership is demonstrated simply through authentic communication and relationship building, and this leads to empowerment and trust building. Voila!!
Image: Carolyn and one of the team volunteers – Bruce at a recognition event at Government House
Proudest Achievement as a Volunteer Manager
Feedback from the volunteers that they felt valued and a part of the team.
One piece of advice for fellow Volunteer Managers
Make time for authentic conversations with your volunteers.
Listen to their stories, ask about their past experiences and ask them how they would like to participate.
Volunteer management is not a role off the side of your desk – it is a role that requires time and investment in these wonderful humans that choose to give their time to our organisation.
View the full collection of our Share Your Story series and be inspired by the many ways Volunteer Managers are leading with courage, care, and creativity.
