Trends and Issues

As we slowly continue to transition from the pandemic, we are seeing increased and open demonstrations of anger, rudeness and other uncivil behaviours.^[i] These go even further beyond the norm than those we have seen in societies around the world over the last two years^[ii] and certainly beyond what we would typically anticipate experiencing pre-COVID.  

The beginning of a new year . . .  A blank slate and a golden opportunity to start fresh and embrace big shifts and new perspectives . . . The chance to dig deep and create real changes, in ourselves and throughout our profession . . . 

So what’s stopping us? Well, to be blunt, we are. No, not Erin and Rob! But all of us as Volunteer Engagement professionals.

In the volunteering support space, there are two distinct audience segments: organizers and volunteers, sometimes lumped together as “stakeholders” with needs that may vary based on your program and operations. Providing support to these volunteers or to organizers isn’t just about giving instruction on how our technology works. It's about helping these stakeholders maximize their own potential by setting them up for success! Likewise, digitally-enabled volunteer management is not simply volunteer coordination.

The global pandemic – along with raised consciousness on diversity, equity and inclusion – has forced many organizations to refocus, change directions and reflect on a range of issues. For example, some are re-evaluating how they serve their community, from both a procedural and ethical lens. Others are tweaking volunteer engagement to make it more accessible online. And still others are undergoing a wholesale review of the place and value of volunteers within their work.