Does anyone work as a Volunteer Manager?

[BlueSkyMoth]

I'm considering a career change - seems like there are quite a few part-time, wfh jobs in this area which would provide a better work-life balance. Currently work in records management, which is fine, but a bit dull and I feel like I need to be around people more!

Hi, I don't but I do work in the VCSE sector so happy to answer any questions

Thanks @myrtleWilson . Do you enjoy working in the sector? Is it stressful? What are the main challenges? What do you like best about your job?

From my experience in organizations with volunteers, the main problem for the manager is the volunteers!

Examples:
Volunteer who has been with your organization since it was founded makes a racist comment. He is outraged when you tell him it was racist and stomps off with half the volunteers
Volunteer thinks that due to the years they have spend volunteering they are now entitled to use the service, despite in no way shape or form meeting the criteria. They get very upset and wind up all the other volunteers, who it turns out thought the same.

Obviously the best thing about the job is also the volunteers as they are amazing!

One of the difficulties I found was ensuring volunteers were up to date with their training (safeguarding etc). Many would complain that as they are giving their time for free, they shouldn't have to attend training. Another difficulty is when they are no longer able/suitable for the role, it's hard to break the news to them. Often, they are filling a void in their own life so can become distressed if you have to let them go.

Another issue is that volunteers sometimes don't like it when someone new comes along and changes a system. They can become very set in their ways. These are just some of my experiences.

Managing volunteers can be harder than managing paid staff. The turnover is usually higher and they’re less reliable.

Having managed volunteers in the past I have likened it at times to trying to herd cats.

On the other hand most volunteers are marvellous but the others can be very challenging!

Thanks for all of your comments! If anyone has any other thoughts, let me know.

I have worked with volunteers and would agree with the above they are wonderful and a nightmare at the same time.
I could never really make my peace with it ethically, I don't think people should be working for free especially in my sector (libraries) there are people doing the exact same job for free that was paid 5 or so years ago.
So it would also depend on the sector.

Managing volunteers is awful!

You have to keep ones who you'd sack if they were paid because it's so hard to recruit newbies.

They feel entitled.

They will look down on you.

They will refuse to do training or learn new skills.

They will be racist/sexist/homophobic/ableist and there's nothing you can do.

You will spend ages recruiting and training new starts for 90% to drop out.

Oh dear - none of this sounds very positive!

I have been both a volunteer and a volunteer manager!
In my opinion, you can't be a Volunteer Manager WFH - you need to be onsite, with the volunteers.
There is a lot of truth in the comments above, but that shouldn't lead you to believe that every volunteer is difficult. However, it only takes a few tricky ones to cause chaos.
You need to work for an organisation that seeks to operate in a professional way, and is willing to lose volunteers in order to raise standards - such organisations do exist! They also need to be willing to embrace modern technology and management techniques. It starts from the top, so this sloppy approach of "we'll take anyone, because they're free" is definitely not OK.

There was a fantastic book published some years ago called "Voluntary Not Amateur " which summed up the need for professional standards in the volunteering world, albeit that the vols themselves are unpaid.

There is often a high turnover, so volunteer recruitment is a continuing activity.
You may also find that the old saying that "20% of the volunteers do 80% of the work" can be true.

Depending on the organisation, and the reasons vols have for volunteering, there may be a need to support vols with special needs, or simply to provide emotional support for vols with struggles in their lives.

Working with volunteers can mean a lot of evening and weekend working, because those are the times when the volunteers are available.

Also, be aware that Volunteer Managers are generally underpaid for what they do, and are often expected to muck in with other tasks in the organisation. You need to be committed to the organisation and prepared to make a few sacrifices - don't just do it because it's part-time and (you think) you can work from home.

Having said all that, I really enjoyed it!

Part of my job involves volunteer management. I do enjoy it but would agree with previous posters that the biggest headache is ensuring they are up to date with their paperwork and training. There are so many hoops volunteers now have to jump through (references, DBS, health checks, multiple trainings etc) that a lot of people just get fed up and drop out. It is getting increasingly hard to recruit, partly due to all the hoops and also because I think people have less spare time/are working longer. I enjoy it despite all this though, and you do meet some fantastic people from all walks of life.