Whenever I speak to volunteers they tell me how much they’ve gained from volunteering. It is more than just giving your time to a cause—it’s an opportunity for personal growth, skill development, and meaningful connections.
Some skills grow naturally as part of a volunteering journey, but some volunteers, particularly longer term volunteers may want to develop in more specific ways, possibly moving into a different or more senior role. A Volunteer Personal Development Plan (VPDP) can help you, help them achieve that goal.
This session guide will walk you through the steps to support your volunteers to create a VPDP, empowering them to align their volunteering efforts with their aspirations. You can do this individually during supervisions or as a group workshop.
Introduction
Welcome to the Volunteer Personal Development Plan (VPDP) Session!
Volunteering offers incredible opportunities to develop skills, build networks, and discover new passions. However, achieving these benefits requires intention and planning. This session will guide you through the process of creating their own VPDP—a tailored roadmap that aligns your volunteering efforts with your goals and aspirations.
Objectives
Reflect on your motivations and aspirations.
Set clear, actionable goals.
Develop a structured plan to track your progress.
Step 1: Where are you now and where would you like to go?
Before setting goals, reflect on what you have achieved. What has been your favourite part of volunteering or something you are most proud of?
Now looking forward ask yourself:
What do I hope to gain from volunteering (e.g., skills, experience, new connections)?
How does volunteering align with my personal aspirations or career goals?
Is there another role in the organisation I’d like to try, or a particular skill I would like to use or develop through my volunteering? (your VPDP might actually be about utilising the skills you already have in a different way)
Take time to write down your thoughts. This reflection will be the foundation for your plan.
Step 2: Assess Your Current Skills
Take stock of the skills and strengths you currently have. Identify areas you’d like to improve. Use this self-assessment to identify gaps between where you are now and where you want to be.
Soft skills: communication, teamwork, leadership.
Technical skills: data analysis, event planning, social media marketing.
Step 3: Define Your Goals
Thinking about those answers. List 1-3 things you’d like to achieve through your volunteering.
A great way to shape a goal is to make them SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
The example SMART goal below demonstrates how someone used their volunteering to develop their leadership and organisational skills.
Specific: I want to take on more of a leadership role so will offer to be responsible for coordinating the monthly volunteer schedule for the food pantry.
Measurable: By the end of next month, I will have successfully organised the volunteer schedule for two shifts, ensuring 100% coverage and communicating assignments to all team members.
Achievable: I will shadow the current coordinator for the next two weeks, learn the scheduling system, and meet with my volunteer manager to clarify expectations.
Relevant: Taking on this role aligns with my goal to develop leadership and organisational skills while contributing more significantly to the organisation's mission.
Time-bound: I will begin coordinating the schedule by the 1st of the next month and complete my first independent schedule by the 15th of the same month.
Step 4: Create an Action Plan
For each goal, outline specific steps to achieve it. For example:
Goal: Improve communication skills. Action Steps:
Attend a workshop or webinar on effective communication.
Practice active listening during interactions with service users.
Try to engage with one new person each volunteer shift.
Seek feedback from other volunteers or a mentor on communication style.
Step 5: Reflect and Celebrate
Acknowledge your accomplishments along the way! Whether it’s successfully organising an event, mastering a new skill, or just feeling more confident in your role celebrating milestones keeps you motivated.
What did I learn about myself?
Which skills did I develop?
How can I apply these lessons in my personal or professional life?
Use these insights to update your VPDP and set new goals.
Conclusion
A Volunteer Personal Development Plan transforms your volunteering into a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. By setting clear goals, seeking meaningful opportunities, and reflecting on your progress, you’ll not only make a difference in the lives of others but also in your own journey.
Start today—because volunteering isn’t just about giving back; it’s about growing forward!
