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
Take a quick survey to help us improve your experience.

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

More about the authors




Contribute to the Gateway


More like this

Information

Recruiting Volunteers

A guide on recruitment, including information on selection, screening, and types of recruitment.
1 minute read
Volunteering Victoria
General
Resources

Volunteer Involving Organisations Online Accessibility Survey

This report and executive summary references a survey on Online Accessibility for Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs)
1 minute read
The Knowledge Base, Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA
e-learning

Understanding Disability

This article, guides and online courses offer information on disability awareness for volunteers and volunteer managers, promoting inclusive volunteer environments.
1 minute read
The Knowledge Base, The Centre for Volunteering, People with Disability Australia
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
Emergency Support Volunteering website
Tech

Emergency Support Volunteering website

The Emergency Support Volunteering website allows volunteers in Western Australia to register to help in emergencies, organisations needing support can also register to contact volunteers for assistance.
Volunteer database Recruitment Reporting
VIKTOR
Tech

VIKTOR

VIKTOR is a volunteer recruitment system designed to run a referral service for volunteers. It allows you to create and advertise volunteer roles, enter volunteers and match them to roles offered by your members.
Volunteer database Recruitment Reporting
scheduled

Compliance & Volunteer Management 'Deep Dive'

Join VSANT, DHS, Safework SA and AON for a deep dive workshop focusing on volunteer management, volunteer screening, child safety, WHS, and insurance.
Volunteering SA&NT
Free
scheduled

National Standards Deep Dive: Standard 6

The Centre for Volunteering
Free
scheduled

Panel Discussion: Providing a Safe and Healthy Volunteering Experience

Join us for a panel discussion on Standard 6 of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
The Centre for Volunteering
Free