​Be Volunteer Strong | Session 5 : Volunteer Engagement & Retention

​What is Be Volunteer Strong?

​Be Volunteer Strong is a monthly learning and experience-sharing series by Humans of Volunteering (HOV) designed to help non-profits build stronger volunteer infrastructure.

​Over 10 sessions, non-profit leaders and community builders will come together to discuss the realities of volunteer engagement, exchange experiences, learn from one another, and explore practical approaches to strengthening volunteer systems.

​Session 5 : Volunteer Engagement & Retention

​Recruiting volunteers is only the beginning. The real challenge is building an experience that makes people want to come back.

​Volunteers may join because they care about a cause, but they stay when they feel connected, valued, useful, and part of something bigger. Creating meaningful engagement requires more than regular activities - it requires understanding what motivates volunteers and creating opportunities for them to grow with the organization.

​In this session, we'll explore how non-profits can move beyond one-time participation to build deeper, longer-term relationships with their volunteers.

​We will discuss:

• ​Understanding why people volunteer - and what makes them stay

• ​Creating meaningful and engaging volunteer experiences

• ​Building a sense of belonging and community

• ​Keeping volunteers connected between opportunities

• ​Creating pathways for volunteers to take greater ownership

• ​Practical approaches to improving volunteer retention

​Interactive Elements:

• ​Experience sharing from participating organizations

• ​Mapping the volunteer engagement journey

• ​Exploring real-life volunteer retention challenges

• ​Peer discussions on what keeps volunteers coming back

• ​Designing simple engagement ideas for your organization

​Expectations

​Participants are encouraged to:

• ​Join with at least one more team member for broader perspectives

• ​Come prepared to share examples of volunteers who stayed - and those who didn't

• ​Reflect honestly on what your organization currently does to engage volunteers

• ​Actively participate in discussions and peer learning

​This session is designed to be practical, conversational, and collaborative.

​Pre-Requisite

​Before attending, please spend 15–20 minutes reflecting on:

• ​What makes volunteers come back to your organization?

• ​Where do you see the biggest drop-off in your volunteer journey?

• ​Think of one volunteer who stayed engaged for a long time - what do you think kept them connected?

• ​Think of one volunteer who disengaged - what might have contributed to it?

• ​What is one thing you currently do to make volunteers feel connected to your organization?

​About The Good Engine

​This session is exclusively available to members of The Good Engine.

​Through curated learning opportunities, peer support, resources, and conversations, The Good Engine aims to help organizations become Volunteer Strong.

​Not yet a part of The Good Engine? Register here to join our NGO Network : https://tally.so/r/0Qbj2A

​About Humans of Volunteering (HOV)

​Humans of Volunteering is a social impact organization dedicated to strengthening volunteerism through storytelling, community building, volunteer engagement programs, and capacity-building initiatives.

​Over the years, HOV has worked with nonprofits, corporates, schools, and citizens to create meaningful volunteering experiences and celebrate the people who choose to do good.

​Learn more at: www.humansofvolunteering.com