Vital Switch-Up: Associations Navigating the Ebb in Volunteer Numbers



Hold on to your hats! Here's yet another spin on the roller coaster of association management. This time, I'm zoning in on an alarming wave that's been rolling through 2023 – a notable ebb in volunteer involvement. This trend is seeping into nearly every nook and cranny of our sector. So, what's our next move? Read on, I’ll tell you.

Volunteerism, that sturdy backbone of associations, seems to be doing a rather worrying disappearing act. Fresh off the press from a U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps survey, the figures tell us that volunteer participation slid down by a whole 7% between 2019 and 2021. Now that's the steepest dive since the survey took flight in 2002.

"But Nathan, we're an anomaly... we're faring just fine!" Some of you might confidently proclaim. My eyebrows arch in doubt when I say, "Really now?" I'd advise you to take a closer, more critical look at your circumstances.

Sure, we could wallow in despair and imagine a future that parallels the gloomiest dystopian novel. But where's the fun in that? Let's solve the problem with our creative and can-do attitudes. After all, associations have sailed through stormy seas before.

Revamp, Reimagine and Rule

First, bid adieu to the decades-old models of volunteerism. That relic is from a bygone era when time was plentiful, and the seductive glow of our cellphones wasn't vying for our attention. If we're serious about saving the industry as we know it, we need to tailor the roles we offer to fit snugly into their lives, not the other way round.

How about dabbling with more flexible volunteer gigs? Or micro-volunteering? Or creating most opportunities in the virtual realm? Trust me, folks, our options are as endless as the depth of our collective imagination.

Next up, let's fling open the doors wide. Aim for inclusivity. Rally volunteers from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds, and generations.

Finally, crank up the appreciation dial. Let your volunteers bask in the warmth of well-deserved appreciation. An occasional "thank you" won't cut it. We've got to dig deeper and invest in volunteer recognition initiatives that convey just how much we value their dedication and effort.

As our good friend Albert Einstein once noted, "The measure of intelligence is the ability to change."

So, prove you’re smart, embrace the change needed to reverse the trend, and ensure associations continue to stand tall.

By A. Nathan Mihelich

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