Keeping the Spark Alive: How Volunteers Can Avoid Burning Out

By Jo Moar - Organisational Consultant

Building the bridge between volunteers and employees.

www.mursetter.co.nz

Volunteering is a fantastic way to give back and make a difference, but it’s important to remember that even the most well-meaning volunteers can burn themselves out. Burnout happens when someone becomes physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted due to too much stress over a long period. While we often hear about burnout in the workplace, it’s a real risk for volunteers too. Understanding how this can happen and what we can do to prevent it is key to keeping everyone happy and healthy.

The Passion Problem

Volunteers are often incredibly passionate about the causes they support. This passion drives them to go the extra mile, sometimes to the point of taking on more than they can handle. While it’s great to be dedicated, it’s easy to overcommit and stretch yourself too thin. Without setting clear boundaries, that passion can quickly turn into exhaustion, making it difficult to keep up with everything you’ve taken on.

Not Enough Support

Another big factor in volunteer burnout is a lack of support and resources. Many volunteer roles come with tight budgets, limited staff, and minimal training. This can leave volunteers feeling frustrated or out of their depth, especially when they’re expected to take on tasks they might not feel fully prepared for. Without the right tools and backup, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, which can lead to burnout.

Confusion About Roles

When roles and responsibilities aren’t clearly defined, it can cause stress and confusion. Volunteers might find themselves juggling too many tasks or unsure of where to focus their efforts. This lack of clarity can lead to feelings of anxiety or inadequacy, making it hard to enjoy the volunteering experience. When people aren’t sure what’s expected of them, they’re more likely to burn out.

The Emotional Impact

Some volunteer work, particularly in areas like healthcare, social services, or disaster relief, can be emotionally tough. Dealing with challenging situations or vulnerable people can take a toll on anyone. Over time, this emotional strain can lead to something known as compassion fatigue, where volunteers become numb or detached from the suffering they’re seeing. This not only impacts the volunteer’s well-being but can also affect the quality of support they’re able to provide.

Feeling Undervalued

While many volunteers aren’t in it for the recognition, feeling appreciated does matter. When volunteers don’t feel acknowledged or valued, it can lead to feelings of disappointment or even resentment. If someone’s efforts go unnoticed for too long, they might start to lose motivation, making burnout more likely.

How to Keep Burnout at Bay

Preventing burnout among volunteers means taking a few simple but important steps. Organisations should make sure volunteers know exactly what their roles involve and provide the training and support they need. It’s also crucial to encourage volunteers to set limits and take breaks when needed. Regular check-ins can help catch any signs of burnout early, so they can be addressed before they become bigger problems. Finally, recognising and celebrating the hard work of volunteers goes a long way in keeping them engaged and motivated.

Volunteering should be a rewarding experience, not a source of stress. By understanding the risks of burnout and taking steps to prevent it, we can help ensure that volunteers stay energised and committed to the causes they care about.

One effective way to prevent volunteer burnout is by offloading administrative tasks to professionals like Mursetter Consultants. Managing schedules, tracking donations, and organising events can be overwhelming for volunteers, diverting their focus from meaningful, hands-on work. By outsourcing these duties, you allow your volunteers to concentrate on what they do best, ensuring that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

Investing in Mursetter Consultants not only reduces stress on your volunteers but also enhances the overall effectiveness of your organisation. With our tailored support, your team can remain passionate and engaged, leading to a more sustainable and impactful volunteer programme.

Talk to Jo today