Packed with the advice, wisdom, and experience of over 85 real-life, on-the-job supervisors of volunteers, this guide offers a crystal clear analysis of what works and what doesn't in supervision. It also includes comments from volunteers about what they need from those who supervise them, as well as excerpts from classic articles and books by experts in the field and a self-assessment survey covering the attitudes and actions necessary to be an effective supervisor.

Energize has always been aware that the hands-on experiences of individual volunteer administrators are rich with ideas and tips that can inspire others in the field. Supervising Volunteers is the first book in our new Collective Wisdom Series which attempts to facilitate the sharing of this valuable material.

Received the 2001 H.S. Warwick Research Award for Outstanding Published Scholarship from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

Excerpted from the CyberVPM.com Update, March 1999
"Happily the trend of late in books about volunteer resource management has been toward the practical and "real world" approach, and this new book from Energize is one of the best examples to date."

"The most significant aspect of this and other research the authors did is that this advice is tried and true --- no 'shoulds', only 'does' when it comes to what works."

"Get this book, learn from your colleagues, and you will shine as an effective catalyst in ensuring your community and your organization will work together in harmony.

Nominated for the McAdam Book Award by Jackie Specken, College Teacher in Voluntary Sector
"...practical and user-friendly; its use encouraged great discussion and learning for all of us participating in this truly "one of a kind" learning experience. In addition, Energize and its President Susan J. Ellis, are known throughout the non-profit management community as a leading edge company committed to the sector. "

(When you've completed the book, remember to e-mail us at and share your review!)

A related, but sometimes more problematic category, is the volunteer who is “aging in place.” This is someone who joined you when s/he was younger and fit, but has grown older and now has diminished capacity. The quandary, of course, is that you feel loyalty to a volunteer who has contributed many hours of devoted service and it is awkward to have to confront the changes in ability that age may bring. But for the sake of your service recipients and the volunteer personally, you must find ways to balance the best interests of everyone.

Supervision tips:

1. Know the volunteer’s sight and hearing limits and give written material or oral instructions with this in mind.
2. Pay attention to physical fatigue and talk with the volunteer about his/her strength and endurance.
3. When possible, buddy them up with younger volunteers. This technique is especially good for volunteers “aging in place,” who know the job but could benefit from some support and perhaps oversight.
4. Insist on a rotation policy for everyone so that no volunteer becomes so entrenched in one assignment that it’s impossible to make a change. Offer an “aging in place” volunteer an alternate assignment that makes use of long-time service, such as helping with new volunteer orientation—but only if s/he would be good at it!
5. Don't ignore a deteriorating situation. Sometimes starting a concerned (but caring) conversation gives the volunteer the opening to admit to feeling insecure and less able to do the work s/he formerly considered a breeze.
6. Only when appropriate, consider involving the volunteer's grown children in approaching their parent about changing abilities, or even the family physician.

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