Advancing The Profession

From the initial spark of an idea in 2008 to a platform now empowering over 600,000 volunteers, Chris Martin is CEO and founder of TeamKinetic. After studying a Masters in Sports Science at Leeds Metropolitan University and realising that he was ill-equipped for a ‘real job’, he set about building a company that did some good in the world and was a fun place to work. Most recently, Chris has embarked on a new passion project alongside his TeamKinetic work, setting up a not-for-profit and a Community of Practice to advance the volunteer management profession's understanding and adoption of digital. Music by Zen_Man from Pixabay Thanks to Awesome Panda for their work editing this episode. Find out more at https://www.awesomepandauk.com

Sarah has been a volunteer in a range of roles since she was a teenager and has worked in the volunteering sector for over 15 years. She supported volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations at Fife Voluntary Action for five years before acting as the national volunteering lead for two Scottish charities – Children First and Shelter Scotland. During this time, Sarah was an active member, and latterly the chair, of the Scottish Volunteering Forum. Sarah became the Senior Policy Officer at Volunteer Scotland – Scotland’s national centre for volunteering - in 2022, advocating for the strategic contribution and interests of volunteers with Scottish decision-makers. Sarah recently moved to Voluntary Health Scotland as their Policy and Public Affairs Lead. Music by Zen_Man from Pixabay Thanks to Awesome Panda for their work editing this episode. Find out more at https://www.awesomepandauk.com

Denise has been Chief Executive with Volunteer Now since August 2017 and prior to that Director of Engagement since 2010. She has extensive experience in supporting volunteer involvement. She has wide ranging expertise in public and organisational volunteering policy development, volunteering research and supporting good practice in volunteering. She is experienced in third sector governance issues through many years working at a senior level in the voluntary and community sector. Denise is an active volunteer for Portadown YMCA, Armagh Rural Transport and Belfast Central Mission. Music by Zen_Man from Pixabay Thanks to Awesome Panda for their work editing this episode. Find out more at https://www.awesomepandauk.com

Tony Goodrow, CEO of Better Impact, discusses the importance of data security in volunteer management. Topics include AI impact, safeguarding data, best practices, secure data storage, and ISO 27001 certification. The episode emphasizes the need for strong cybersecurity measures and data minimization to protect sensitive volunteer information.

Faiza Venzant, advocate for volunteer engagement, discusses diversity and equity in volunteerism, the impact of the CVA credential, ethical framework in volunteer management, and embracing community for collective healing. The podcast explores promoting diversity, building authentic relationships, and the importance of unity for overcoming differences.

Sarah Wilson, National Strategy Advisor at Volunteering Australia, discusses the importance of feeling valued in volunteering experiences and the psychological impact. She also talks about developing a new national volunteering strategy in Australia, the intersection of technology and volunteering, and the significance of research evidence in shaping these strategies.

Guest Gethyn Williams, with 20 years in voluntary sector, discusses trends in volunteering data post-2013, challenges in engaging volunteers, need for local infrastructures, diverse contributions at National Trust, expense reimbursement issues, and strategies for enhancing volunteer engagement.

Beth Steinhorn, President of VQ Volunteer Strategies, discusses funding strategies for volunteer engagement, the importance of integrating volunteer engagement in grant applications, the impact of community connections on volunteer involvement, and embracing volunteer engagement as strategic leadership. The conversation highlights the need for investment in infrastructure and systemic change in volunteer engagement.

Explore toxic volunteer cultures, founder syndrome in nonprofits, and values-based recruitment in this episode. Learn how to navigate toxic dynamics and promote climate activism in volunteer engagement roles. Join the host in a conversation with Martin J. Cowling on impactful change, leadership, and volunteering.

The podcast discusses evolving volunteer practices post-pandemic, exploring informal volunteering during the pandemic, developing a national strategy for volunteering in Ireland, enhancing diversity and inclusion in volunteer strategies across Europe, and concludes with encouraging engagement and feedback.