From Paperwork to Purpose: Empowering Volunteers with Transformative Experiences

Across sectors — from education to healthcare, community services to environmental action —volunteers are often engaged in roles defined by convenience rather than impact. This Voices  article by Isabella Oliver calls for a fundamental shift in how organizations approach volunteerism: moving beyond administrative or peripheral tasks and toward the creation of transformative experiences that foster agency, growth and genuine connection to purpose.

Drawing on personal experience and existing research on Volunteer Engagement, Oliver explores how organizations can empower volunteers to do more meaningful work in the non-profits they serve, noting that the impact can be life-changing. Oliver offers practical strategies for intentionally providing volunteers with opportunities to serve in deeply meaningful ways, and also reflects on the ethical considerations of volunteer involvement. This article is intended for volunteer coordinators, nonprofit leaders, educators and community organizers seeking to create more meaningful models of engagement — where volunteering becomes not just a service but a transformative exchange.