Volunteer doesn't mean amateur
Building a high-performing international charity,
powered by volunteers
by Shannon Mead, Founder & Executive Director, No More Butts
THE CHALLENGE:
Volunteering is changing. Organisations need skilled capability, but participation is declining. The response cannot simply be to treat volunteers as informal helpers.
1. Start with strengths
2. Define accountability
2. Define accountability
Build roles around professional expertise rather than conventional job descriptions.
2. Define accountability
2. Define accountability
2. Define accountability
Use clear governance, responsibilities and expectations.
3. Lead with trust
2. Define accountability
4. Rotate leadership
Create flexible, high-trust arrangements that support sustained contribution.
4. Rotate leadership
2. Define accountability
4. Rotate leadership
Use role rotation to reduce fatigue and support long-term engagement.
HOW IT CONNECTS
Expertise >
Accountability >
Role design >
Role design >
Accountability >
Role design >
Accountability >
Accountability >
High-trust leadership >
High-trust leadership >
Sustained contribution >
High-trust leadership >
Sustained contribution >
Sustained contribution >
Sustained contribution >
Impact.
Sustained contribution >
Sustained contribution >
WHAT HAS WORKED?
Recruiting and retaining highly skilled volunteers by designing roles around their strengths
Defined governance and clear accountability rather than relying on informal arrangements
Flexible leadership structures that enable sustained contribution
Leadership rotation to help reduce stress and prevent burnout
An operating model aligned with the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
Volunteer capability is strongest when organisations design around the person’s contribution, not around a pre-determined job description.
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No More Butts Poster 2026 QVC (pdf)
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We acknowledge that our work takes place on the traditional lands of Indigenous Peoples around the world. We honour them as the original and continuing stewards who have cared for these beautiful lands and waters since time immemorial, and we recognise their profound and enduring connection to culture and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and to all Indigenous Peoples. As an organisation, we are committed to learning from and supporting Indigenous communities in our work.
