Happy International Volunteer Managers Day (IVMDay)!
Today we celebrate the incredible, passionate, and dedicated volunteer engagement professionals who work every day to connect people with purpose and community.
Volunteer managers recruit and onboard volunteers, match people with roles that fit their skills, and make sure every contribution gets the recognition it deserves. Behind every successful program is someone balancing the needs of volunteers, staff, and the community. It is skilled, people-centred work, and our communities are stronger because of it.
This year’s IVMDay theme is "Legacy and Leadership: Honouring the Past, Present and Future." If you work with volunteers, this day is a chance to look back at the people who have influenced your practice, and ahead to the people you’re helping to find their way. In addition, every volunteer you’ve mentored and every program you’ve supported also becomes part of the legacy that you pass on.
If you work alongside a volunteer manager, today is a great day to show your appreciation by:
- Giving them a shout-out at a staff meeting or in a newsletter
- Asking volunteers to share stories, messages of appreciation in a card or writing a personal note to them
- Sharing a token of thanks like a coffee gift card or a small gift
- Involving them in strategic planning and organizational decisions
- Nominating them for an award
- Investing in their growth through training, conferences, or the Certification in Volunteer Administration (CVA)
There are a few IVMDay celebrations happening today, including our free webinar, “Whoops! I Became a Volunteer Coordinator,” at 1:30 PM MDT. It’s open to volunteer managers of all backgrounds and experience levels
To every volunteer engagement leader: thank you for your care, leadership, and commitment to making sure volunteers feel welcomed, valued, and part of something bigger. Thank you for helping people find purpose and belonging in their communities. Thank you for making volunteerism possible.