If you work in volunteer engagement in Canada, you’ve probably felt it. Recruitment feels harder, retention isn’t what it used to be, expectations are shifting, and at the same time the need in our communities keeps growing. For decades, Canada has had a strong culture of volunteering. But in recent years, amid rising costs of … Continue reading Shaping the National Volunteer Strategy: The Role of Volunteer Engagement Professionals
Rethink, Refresh, Reengage: Creative Volunteer Engagement for Busy Teams
At the start of the year our manager invited us to choose a word for the year. One word to guide how we show up at work and support others. I chose creativity. That choice kept resurfacing for me in an unexpected place: a Febreze commercial. The ad asks whether we’ve become so accustomed to the … Continue reading Rethink, Refresh, Reengage: Creative Volunteer Engagement for Busy Teams
Slowing the Volunteer Exodus: Practical Ways to Foster Meaningful and Inclusive Volunteer Experiences
“Some volunteers leave even when we do everything right. They move, change jobs, experience life shifts, or simply complete what they came to do. Those volunteers are not the focus here. This article focuses on volunteers who leave because we, as staff or organizations, failed to support them, listen to them, or create conditions where … Continue reading Slowing the Volunteer Exodus: Practical Ways to Foster Meaningful and Inclusive Volunteer Experiences
Boost Your Volunteer Program in 2026: Practical Insights from the ONN Report
Volunteers are the heartbeat of nonprofits and if you manage them you already know it. They are the ones keeping programs alive, showing up for your mission, and making your community feel seen. But let us be honest, 2026 is shaping up to be a year full of surprises. Between AI tools promising to streamline … Continue reading Boost Your Volunteer Program in 2026: Practical Insights from the ONN Report
Volunteer Screening: Balancing Volunteer Risk Management with Accessibility and Inclusion
When most people hear “volunteer screening,” they think of background checks, long forms, piles of paper work and red tape, basically a process all about risk. But here’s the thing, great volunteer screening can do much more than protect your organization. It can open doors, making volunteering safe, welcoming, and inclusive for everyone. Whether it’s … Continue reading Volunteer Screening: Balancing Volunteer Risk Management with Accessibility and Inclusion
Redesigning Volunteer Programs: Exploring the Decline of Long-Term Volunteering and the Shift Toward Short-Term and Event-Based Engagement
Volunteering used to look a lot like a long-term commitment. People signed up for weekly shifts, joined committees, or served on boards for years at a time. It was a rhythm - steady, predictable, and deeply rooted in community life. But lately, things have changed. Many nonprofits are seeing fewer long-term volunteers and more people … Continue reading Redesigning Volunteer Programs: Exploring the Decline of Long-Term Volunteering and the Shift Toward Short-Term and Event-Based Engagement
The Middle Slice 