About
International Volunteer Managers Day (IVMDay) is an annual event, celebrated each year on 5 November, dedicated to recognising the vital work of Volunteer Managers. It’s a day to recognise and celebrate the profession of volunteer leadership. Established in 1999, it has become a global movement highlighting the vital role of Volunteer Managers in enabling safe and effective volunteering.
For more information, visit the official International Volunteer Manager’s Day website.
Volunteering Australia’s Role
As the national peak body for volunteering, Volunteering Australia celebrate the dedication of Volunteer Managers, Coordinators and Leaders who inspire others, drive innovation, and ensure that volunteering remains at the heart of Australian communities.
Sharing the Story of Volunteer Managers
In 2025, Volunteering Australia invited submissions of Volunteer Managers to celebrate their leadership that keeps volunteering at the heart of communities. Thank you to everyone who shared their story for International Volunteer Managers Day 2025.
Read the submissions for Share Your Story – Volunteer Managers Edition
To all Volunteer Managers, Coordinators, and Leaders of Volunteers: your dedication, innovation, and leadership are transforming communities across Australia. You're not just managing volunteers; you're building the bridges that connect passion with purpose, creating lasting social impact that strengthens Australia's communities.
Resources for Volunteer Managers
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program for Professional Leaders of Volunteers
The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program for Professional Leaders of Volunteers is a formal avenue to improve your knowledge, skills and future employability. Endorsed by Volunteering Australia the CPD Program is currently offered by the VolunteeringACT, Centre for Volunteering (NSW), Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria and Volunteering WA.
Why join CPD?
- Receive a formal certification awarding you the right to have Professional Leaders of Volunteers (PLV) after your name
- Be inspired to up-skill and gain more knowledge
- Promote your point of difference to current and future employers
- Be recognised for the learning you’re already doing, or planning to undertake
Accumulate CPD points through a combination of activities:
- Professional development, events and services offered by your Volunteering Peak Body
- Professional development at your organisation
- Reading relevant industry articles/newsletters
- Mentoring colleagues or members in volunteering management
- Reflective practice
Online Resources
To honour International Volunteer Managers Day, we are highlighting the following resources to support Managers of volunteers. Find resources and tools to help you recruit, train, inspire, maintain, and retain volunteers, enabling your organisation and its volunteers to thrive.
Volunteering Gateway
Volunteering Gateway is your one-stop shop for volunteer management. It has been designed to connect Volunteer Managers, Coordinators and Leaders across Australia with the tools and resources to help them succeed.
Our diverse range of tools and resources have been carefully selected to help you recruit, train, manage, and retain volunteers, improving the volunteer experience and fostering a vibrant community that makes a difference.
National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement are a best practice framework to guide volunteer involvement. They are an essential resource for all organisations and groups that engage volunteers. The National Standards can be used flexibly, recognising that volunteering takes place in highly diverse settings and ways.
Quick Guide to Volunteer Management
The Quick Guide to Volunteer Management provides volunteer management professionals with an introduction to key topics in volunteer involvement. Each section contains links to further resources which provide additional information and tools.
National Volunteering Guide
The National Volunteering Guide is an invaluable resource for organisations managing volunteers. It covers the entire volunteer lifecycle, from recruitment and induction to performance management and the conclusion of volunteer roles. The guide emphasises the importance of a positive volunteer experience, offering practical advice on creating role descriptions, conducting checks, and managing grievances in a fair manner.
Author: Not For Profit Law
Competencies for Managers of Volunteers
Identifies the key competencies of Managers of Volunteers. The resource can be used as a self-assessment tool for Managers of Volunteers to identify current skills and areas for improvement.
Author: Volunteering New Zealand
Is Your Organisation Accessible?
A checklist to ensure your organisation is accessible to volunteers living with a disability.
Author: Victoria ALIVE, Volunteering Victoria
Engage Journal – The global voice of leaders of volunteer engagement
Engage is a subscription based online journal designed for people who manage volunteers in charities and non-profit organisations.
Author: Engage
Seven Steps to Volunteer Management Success
Tips on how to best support volunteers and volunteer involvement.
Author: Leep
