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

Paradoxes Within the Management of Volunteers

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

Introduction

This document delves into the intricate world of managing volunteers within third-sector organisations, offering a fresh perspective by applying paradox theory. It suggests that the challenges and tensions faced in volunteer management are not just hurdles but integral parts of organisational dynamics.

A New Approach to Volunteer Management

The research introduces a "dramaturgical" approach, inspired by Kenneth Burke's pentad, to better understand the complex interplay between different actors, audiences, and moral frameworks in volunteer organisations. This approach sheds light on the competing demands and expectations, providing a systematic way to navigate through them.

Benefits for Volunteer Organisations

For volunteer organisations and management practitioners, this document is invaluable. It encourages embracing the inherent paradoxes in volunteer management, promoting creativity, resilience, and organisational learning. By adopting this tension-centered perspective, managers can foster a more nuanced understanding of their roles and the dynamics within their organisations, ultimately leading to more effective and adaptive management practices.

Application

This document is a must-read for those looking to deepen their understanding of volunteer management and explore innovative ways to address its inherent challenges.

la Cour, A., Hustinx, L. & Eliasoph, N. Paradoxes Within the Management of Volunteers. Voluntas 34, 442–451 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-023-00578-8

Downloads and sources

Visit source

More about the authors

Contribute to the Gateway

Leave feedback

Was this resource useful?

Make a Suggestion

If you find a great resource that isn't in the directory or want to provide feedback on the Volunteering Gateway, drop us a line!

More like this

Research and Reports

The Social And Economic Sustainability Of WA’s Rural Volunteer Workforce

This report explores the crucial role volunteers play in sustaining rural communities across Western Australia (WA). It highlights the social and economic benefits volunteers bring, focusing particularly on the contributions of women and parents with young children.
1 minute read
Kirsten Holmes, Amanda Davies, Leonie Lockstone-Binney, Mary O’Halloran, Faith Ong
Youth or Student, Women +1 more
e-learning

BeConnected Program

Be Connected is a Australian government initiative designed to bridge the digital gap and equip older volunteers with the skills they need to thrive in today's online world.
1 minute read
Be Connected
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD), Older Volunteers +2 more
VIKTOR Lite
Tech

VIKTOR Lite

VIKTOR Lite enables volunteer involving organisations to recruit volunteers via a range of websites run by local governments, state peaks, local volunteer resource centres, Volunteering Australia and SEEK Volunteer.
Volunteer database Recruitment Onboarding / training Reporting
MyPass
Tech

MyPass

MyPass is volunteer onboarding and compliance management software centred around a digital Skills Passport, designed to help volunteer involving organisations (VIOs) reduce their risk and cost of operations.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Resource management Event management
GoodCompany
Tech

GoodCompany

GoodCompany is a Workplace Giving Platform based in Australia and NZ. It's designed to enable companies and their people to come together to donate, volunteer, fundraise, and match donations for the charities closest to their hearts.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management Donations
scheduled

Introduction to the Volunteer Involvement Cycle

Introducing the Volunteer Involvement Cycle, a new resource aligned with the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement. This session guides you through the key stages of volunteer engagement, equipping you with the knowledge and tools to run an effective, sustainable & impactful volunteer program
Volunteering Victoria
–
FREE
scheduled

Exiting and Transitioning Volunteers 'It's not always as simple as it seems'

This workshop will explore the different reasons and circumstances that may lead to a volunteer transitioning out of their role. Work through different scenarios to build your understanding of this space and leave with practical tools, resources and a plan for managing this moving forwards.
Volunteering SA&NT
–
Free
scheduled

Values Based Leadership

Values should be more than just words on a wall. Well-developed and defined organisational values can shape culture, guide action, and become one of your strongest tools for attracting volunteers. In this session, explore how values-driven leadership can help you create a more purposeful volunteer
Volunteering Victoria
–
FREE