Organizations often say they need more volunteer leaders, but leadership cannot develop if every meaningful decision stays with staff. Sometimes people need a smaller place to begin, room to use their strengths, and support while they grow.

“I’ll just do it myself” sounds efficient. And in the moment, it often is. The task gets done faster. The problem gets solved. The gap closes. But what usually doesn’t get noticed is what’s happening underneath that decision.

When there’s a leadership bottleneck in volunteer engagement, it doesn’t just slow things down. It starts to shape how the whole system behaves.

Have you thought about volunteer strategy as a way to boost fundraising? Or has it been hiding in plain sight? Or maybe you’ve been hesitant to ask volunteers to give financially, worried it might risk losing them?

Burnout. Are you or the volunteers who you lead there? I’ve been there. It didn’t happen all at once. It’s a gradual slow process for most people, like a volcano, the pressure builds and builds over time, then one day, BAM! You stop.

Have you tried to sell a house? Maybe it sold quickly, maybe it took awhile. Regardless, people will want to check it out and some will just drive by, some will sit on the porch a bit, some will come in for a nice bit and some will become residents in your home for a good long while.

Are you someone who’s naturally organized — juggling multiple details without dropping a ball? Or are you more like me, where keeping everything in the air can feel stressful and overwhelming at times?

How many times have you said something to have the other person say a response that is not what you expected, but when you think about it in a different way, the response does make sense to what you said or asked?

Recruit (identify need, create role description, create training, create recruiting text, find or take photo/video, find places to post or share). Is this challenging for you?

Recruitment is often not the first problem to solve. Before inviting volunteers in, make sure the structure, communication, and support are ready for them.