Skip to main content

What are you looking for?

Enter keywords to search across resources, guides, training, tools, and more.

Create an account for suggestions personalised to you and your organisation
Create account
Research and Reports
1 minute read

Exploring the Dynamics of Volunteer and Staff Interactions: From Satisfaction to Conflict

Meeting National Standards and Strategy Seal Meeting National Standards and Strategy What's this?

Understanding Volunteer and Staff Dynamics

This document delves into the interactions between volunteers and staff within nonprofit organisations, with a particular focus on a large library system in the southeastern United States. It addresses both the positive aspects and challenges of these relationships, including satisfaction levels, conflict causes, and the impact on job performance and organisational success.

Key Insights for Volunteer Organisations

The research highlights the critical role of effective volunteer management in fostering positive relationships between volunteers and staff. It identifies common issues such as communication problems, workflow integration, and trust barriers, which can lead to conflict. Moreover, it underscores the importance of addressing diversity and inclusion, especially for volunteers with disabilities.

Benefits for Volunteer Management Practitioners

For practitioners, this document offers valuable insights into improving volunteer engagement and satisfaction. By understanding the factors that contribute to successful volunteer-staff interactions, managers can develop strategies to enhance training, support, and feedback mechanisms. This, in turn, can lead to more effective service delivery and a stronger organisational identity.

Application

This comprehensive analysis serves as a crucial resource for volunteer organisations and management practitioners aiming to optimise their volunteer programs and achieve organisational goals.

Rimes, Heather & Nesbit, Rebecca & Christensen, Robert & Brudney, Jeffrey. (2017). Exploring the Dynamics of Volunteer and Staff Interactions: From Satisfaction to Conflict. Nonprofit Management and Leadership. 28. 10.1002/nml.21277.

Downloads and sources

Visit source

More about the authors

Contribute to the Gateway

Leave feedback

Was this resource useful?

More like this

Articles & Reports

State of Volunteering Reports

The State of Volunteering reports detail the trends, demographics, challenges and successes in the volunteering sector in Australia, its States and Territories.
1 minute read
Volunteering Australia, Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA
General
Resources

Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities - Plain Language

Outlining volunteer rights and responsibilities ensures a smooth experience for all. Use this plain-language template from the national VMA project and SCOPE Australia to guide your own document.
1 minute read
The Knowledge Base, National Volunteer Management Activity Project
Resources

Volunteer Motivations and Barriers

This webinar and guide explores volunteer motivations (helping others, social connection) and barriers (time, distance) to help organisations attract and retain volunteers.
1 minute read
The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering ACT, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, The Knowledge Base
FreddyMatch
Tech

FreddyMatch

FreddyMatch is a web-based platform that facilitates and optimises the process of volunteering. We help match organisations and volunteers based on their unique interests, skill sets, location and availability using the “FreddyMatch” algorithm.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management
INVOLVE
Tech

INVOLVE

Volunteer management a headache? INVOLVE simplifies everything! Automate tasks, gain instant insights, schedule visually, track hours effortlessly, and collaborate seamlessly. Built in Australia, your data's safe. Focus on your purpose, not admin.
Volunteer database Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Event management
Rosterfy
Tech

Rosterfy

Rosterfy is an end-to-end volunteer management software solution, that helps organisations streamline their volunteer management and engagement. Rosterfy offers automated solutions to manage volunteers efficiently.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management
scheduled

Givers Gathering

This celebration brings together volunteers from across Darwin and representatives from volunteer-involving organisations for an afternoon of connection, reflection, and shared stories. Whether you volunteer in a small way or a big way — this event is for you.
Volunteering SA&NT
–
Free
scheduled

SA State Volunteer Managers' Network Meeting

The SA State Volunteer Managers' Network meetings are for anyone who manages, coordinates, or leads volunteers, whether in a paid or voluntary role. This meeting will be held online.
Volunteering SA&NT
–
Free
scheduled

Disability Inclusion Training - Next Steps

In collaboration with JFA Purple Orange, Volunteering SA&NT invites you to take the next step in inclusion. Disability Inclusion Training – Next Steps is designed to move you from awareness to action and spark lasting change.
Volunteering SA&NT
–
Free