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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.

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.

This week we feature a guest blog which serves as a good reminder of the meaningful connection that comes from volunteering at Long Term Care Facilities. Thanks for sharing Rob.

I had always been someone who lived within the rhythm of routine - work, family, a little personal time. Everything had its place, and I rarely strayed from it. So, when a volunteer flyer showed up at my door one rainy afternoon, I barely gave it a second thought. But something about the simple words “Bring Joy, Make A Difference” caught my eye. I can’t explain why, but I found myself Signing Up to Help at the local senior center.

The first day was... awkward. I walked into a room full of elderly people, sitting silently, some staring out the window, others absorbed in newspapers that had seen better days. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do, what I could say. But then, I spotted an old man sitting by himself, his gaze fixed on the floor.

I hesitated, then approached. "Hello"; I said softly, sitting down next to him. My name is Rob. How are you today?;

He didn’t respond, but there was something in his eyes - a kind of quiet sadness, or maybe just a need for connection. I stayed with him, not knowing what else to do but to offer my presence.

It wasn’t until weeks later that he finally spoke to me. His name was Mr. Thompson, and when he looked up at me with a faint, almost hesitant smile, it felt like the world shifted. Do you like stories?; he asked, his voice cracking.

I nodded eagerly, and for the first time, he began to share. His stories weren’t just memories; they were pieces of a life that had been forgotten by most, but not by me. With every tale, a bridge was built between us. I learned about his youth, his family, the adventures he had before his advancing age slowed him down. At 90-years-old he was a living history book!

By the time I left the center that day, it hit me: sometimes, making a difference isn’t about grand gestures or heroic acts. Sometimes, it’s just showing up, being present, and offering a moment of connection. In that quiet corner of the world, between a lonely man and a stranger who wanted to listen, a bridge had been built - and it began with a smile.

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 to the blog we are pleased to welcome Turlough Myers. Turlough a Philanthropy Advisor & Volunteer Manager at the Winspear Centre at the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. He re-built the Winspear’s Volunteerism by addressing their mission, culture, and place in the organization. His focus on people, and mission brought about a fundamental change in the organization where volunteers are supporting in creative and impactful ways. His approach to volunteer management has been used as a case-study by other non-profits in the Edmonton area, he is always happy to share his passion for volunteerism and connect with others in the industry. 

If you ask any volunteer manager in the non-profit industry, almost all of them will say that they feel the crushing weight of loneliness in the workplace darn near constantly. Usually, volunteerism falls under the leadership of a singular person, and the folks who stick with the role for a long time are often extraordinarily talented - and of course they are, they wear a tonne of hats as volunteer manager, it's not all schedules and polls: they are coaches/teachers, HR professionals, philanthropy officers, relationship builders, community advocates, mediators of crucial conversations... all of these things and more under the umbrella of a single job title "Volunteer Manager/Coordinator." 
Volunteer managers are often the only ones with established relationships with an organization's volunteers and sometimes the only one aware of the impact volunteers have on an organization's success and reputation in their community, as well as volunteers capacity to do even more to achieve an organizational goal.

It can be easy to feel misunderstood or unappreciated in these circumstances. When you're already feeling isolated, accepting feedback from a superior who you feel doesn't understand you or your work can trigger a fight, flight or freeze response due to painful feelings of criticism, frustration, loneliness, and perfectionism. Perhaps you're feeling isolated in your role because you aren't part of a grander team, or feel like your role doesn't fit the goals of the team you are part of, feeling like your work is going unnoticed or misunderstood and you're taking it personally. Here are some tips for handling your painful feelings when isolation and loneliness are defining your time at work.

- Know that your feelings are valid. It's okay to take some things about your work personally, in life you're going to spend a lot of time at work, and experience all kinds of emotions. But also keep a separation of work and personal life, and define your character more by your personal life.
 
- Acknowledge and give space to the feelings of frustration, loneliness, sadness, or anger. Do this with yourself in advance of potentially draining conversations with your colleagues. When you acknowledge these feelings, and give a place for them to be, the painful feelings won't have as much power over your choices. Don't suppress these feelings, they can serve you well if you can channel them productively.

- Have a work-bestie! You need support in all aspects of life, and having someone you can share your feelings with that you trust can be very healing, and can help you productively express what your superiors need to hear. 

- Learn to let some things go. You often can't control how others see you and the work you do. but you can control your work ethic, and the way you treat people. Own your shortcomings, and celebrate your accomplishments so that you gain fulfillment from your work within yourself.

We are so excited to welcome a guest blog from Anisha and the awesome team at Volunteer Victoria. Anisha holds a B.Sc. in Biology and Psychology from the University of Victoria, and is currently pursing a part-time Global Master's in Business Administration, with a focus on non-profit management. She has been an avid volunteer since she was a teenager, with most of her work being at hospitals. Outside of Anisha's work as the Mental Health Program and Volunteering Programs Coordinator at VolVic, she is an Academic Advisor for the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and a Math, Science, and English tutor. Her hobbies include reading, dog sitting, and going on local/international adventures.

You know what’s a proven stress reliever? Helping others. Science backs this up - volunteering boosts your mood, lowers stress levels, and even reduces feelings of loneliness. Think of it as emotional cardio: it gets your heart working in the best possible way.

Take the Mental Health Visiting & Activity Program, for example. This initiative connects volunteers with individuals on a mental health and substance use recovery journey. It’s a chance to be a supportive presence for someone facing isolation, offering companionship through simple but meaningful activities like grabbing a coffee, attending a local event, or going for a walk. Volunteers not only provide connection but also gain a deeper understanding of mental health, build empathy, and develop communication skills that carry into all aspects of life. This program is especially popular among counselling, psychology, and social work undergraduate and graduate students who are looking to gain hands-on experience in the field while making a real impact.

 Then there’s the City of Victoria Youth Council (CVYC) - not just any youth leadership program, but a powerhouse. The council is so impactful, it’s at capacity with 25 members and even has a waitlist. Youth involved in CVYC work directly with City Council, staff, and community leaders to influence policies, advocate for their peers, and take real action on issues that matter. This council is particularly in demand among young people looking to build careers in politics, policy, and other strategic leadership roles, offering them firsthand experience in governance and civic engagement. They’re proving that young voices aren’t just influencing the future, they’re shaping the present.

 At Volunteer Victoria, we believe volunteering isn’t just about giving back—it’s about personal growth, connection, and making real change in the community. As the hub for volunteerism in Greater Victoria, we serve both volunteers and over 300 member organizations, ensuring that meaningful opportunities align with people’s passions, skills, and availability. We also maintain a comprehensive database of volunteer opportunities (similar to a job board), making it easy to find roles that match your interests. And to make the process even less overwhelming, we offer free advising services to help volunteers navigate their options and find the perfect fit. Whether you’re looking to build experience, support a cause close to your heart, or just meet like-minded people, we’re here to make that happen.

 Volunteering is the ultimate hands-on learning experience, minus the debt. You’ll make friends, boost your happiness, and leave the world a little better than you found it. So, if you’ve been waiting for a sign to get involved—this is it. Find an opportunity that excites you, jump in, and see where it takes you.

 Also, if you’ve ever wanted to be that person with the best stories at parties, volunteering is your goldmine. “Oh, that reminds me of the time I helped organize a community mural project!” is way cooler than “So, uh, the weather’s been nice.”

If you want to connect with Anisha, please do! 

To kick off 2025 we welcome guest blog writer- Jawad Gul. Jawad is a passionate member of the community and writer who has published several books. To read more writing from Jawad check him out here. 

Back in 1996, when I was in high school in my home country, I was fond of writing—mostly short stories and poems published in local newspapers. At that time, the only thought in my mind was to bring about change in society through my writings and point out the injustices in my surroundings. It was my first step toward volunteerism. I took part in social literary societies and actively participated as a freelance co-editor of the literary magazine page of a local newspaper. I also published a magazine to promote the native language of Hindko and organized fundraising weekly meetings.

However, I felt that I should engage in practical efforts as well; writing was just for the literate members of society, while the majority of people were uneducated and suffering. I wondered what I could do for them. So, I volunteered at a blood bank, donated blood, and joined campaigns against polio in rural areas of Pakistan to vaccinate children. I also joined NGOs that worked for the education of females while I was there.

One thing I would like to mention is that different phases come in our lives and change our thinking processes for a while. There was a period when I stopped my volunteer work after my marriage, thinking I should focus on my life objectives and that volunteerism was just a thankless job. After some time, I realized that when I participated in volunteer activities, my own objectives were achieved automatically, and I had no worries about accomplishing my goals. However, since I stopped volunteering, I felt stuck and had to put in a lot of effort to complete my tasks. I realized that there was some spiritual support surrounding me when I was engaged in volunteer work. From that moment on, I have never stopped volunteering in my life.

Now I am in Canada, and I have connected myself, one way or another, with volunteer associations. Currently, I am with the Affinity Mentorship Foundation, which works to inspire and empower at-risk youth through mentorship, building their strength, confidence, and resilience to shape their own positive futures.

When I participate in volunteer events, it gives me a sense of fulfilment and nourishes my thoughts. I forget my own stress and can connect with others. It creates a synergistic effect; my presence gives them hope, and ultimately, I gain energy from my volunteer work.

Life is a one-time journey, and no one is perfect. In society, volunteer work is the key to success because I have discovered the spiritual aspect of volunteering.