Managing volunteers
In this course you will learn how to motivate and manage volunteers and give them feedback. You will discover your own leadership style and practise conversation techniques.
NRTO quality markFree cancellation up to four weeks before the start, so feel free to book now.
In brief. Managing Volunteers is a 2-day classroom course. You can take it in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam and The Hague, among other locations, or online, in a group of no more than 8 participants. The price is EUR 1300,- excl. VAT per participant, including course materials, lunch on location and a certificate of attendance. For a team or department we also deliver this course in-company.
- Motivating volunteers with the right style
- Giving feedback that really lands
- Strong leadership in volunteer organisations
- Practical tools for difficult conversations
- Insight into your own leadership style
Your trainer: Rob, Christy, Marjorie or Garbrand 813 evaluations in total, averaging 8,8. View the trainers
Volunteers call for a particular style of leadership: equal, appreciative and clear. On this course you work on your own style, learn how to motivate, adjust and give feedback, and get a grip on difficult conversations with volunteers.
Description
Managing volunteers calls for something different from ordinary management. The relationship is based on equality, appreciation and mutual respect. At the same time, you want the work to be done well and to be able to make adjustments where necessary.
On this course you discover what motivates volunteers and which leadership style suits you. You gain insight into situational leadership and learn to switch between leading, guiding, coaching and delegating. You also work on fundamental conversation techniques: asking questions, listening, summarising, giving feedback and paying compliments.
You get to grips with difficult situations, such as resistance, agreements that are not kept and addressing people's behaviour. You are also given tools for holding corrective and exit interviews, setting clear objectives and safeguarding the quality of the volunteer work.
Afterwards you know how to manage, motivate and appreciate volunteers in a constructive way, so that they continue to contribute to your organisation with pleasure and commitment.
Topics
The following topics, among others, are covered during the course:
- What motivates volunteers? Reflecting on their motives, needs and the way in which you express appreciation.
- Team effectiveness model: connecting organisational goals, team goals and individual goals.
- Leadership styles: applying situational leadership and switching between leading, guiding, coaching and delegating.
- Insight into your own preferred style and practise a range of influencing skills.
- Fundamental conversation techniques: asking questions, listening, summarising, showing empathy, reflecting, giving feedback and building trust. Among other things via the CAD model.
- Dealing with difficult situations: resistance, absenteeism, unmet agreements and addressing behaviour.
- Frame of reference and miscommunication: getting to know your own 'iceberg' and the influence of your norms and values.
- Different types of volunteers and recognising your own pitfalls.
- Giving constructive compliments and feedback to adjust behaviour.
- Setting goals and creating support within your team.
- Conducting corrective and exit interviews in cases of underperformance.
Result
After this course you will know which leadership style suits you and how to adapt it to each volunteer. You safeguard and improve the quality of the volunteer work and make adjustments where necessary.
You will handle challenging situations and different types of volunteers more smoothly. Think of resistance, agreements that are not kept or a difficult corrective conversation.
In addition, you deliberately apply fundamental conversation techniques: asking questions, listening, summarising, giving feedback and motivating. That way you make real contact, connect with the volunteer and follow through when necessary.
Target audience
This course is particularly suitable for (prospective) managers, team leaders or coordinators who manage volunteers. Do you recognise yourself in any of the points below?
You want practical tools for managing volunteers, you want to learn which style to use when approaching a volunteer and which instruments to use, and you want to practise adjusting and motivating volunteers and giving feedback.
This list is of course not exhaustive: after all, everyone is different. What would you like to focus on within the leadership theme?
Teaching method
During the course we alternate short pieces of theory with plenty of practice. You actively work on situations from your own practice: directing, motivating, giving feedback and holding difficult conversations with volunteers.
Beforehand you have an intake meeting with the trainer. This allows us to map out your learning objectives and tailor the programme accordingly. The group consists of no more than eight participants, so there is plenty of room for personal attention, practice and feedback.
We work in a safe atmosphere in which you can experiment with new skills. You practise with role plays, receive constructive feedback from the trainer and your fellow participants, and reflect on your own management style. Doing and experiencing come first. You go home with concrete tools that you can apply straight away.
Prior knowledge
You do not need any specific prior knowledge. Do you have experience of managing or supporting volunteers, or are you about to take on this role? Then this course will suit you well. An open and inquisitive attitude will help you most.
Practical information
- Number of days
- 2 days
- Course times
- from 10 am to 5 pm
- Teaching hours
- 12 hours
- Education level
- Suitable for all levels
- Preparation time
- None
- Included
- Course materials and lunch on site
- Certificate
- At the end of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance
- Cancel
- Free up to four weeks before the start (cancellation terms)
Language
The course is given in Dutch as standard. The trainer speaks English. English-language course materials can be used. If at least 3 participants register, the course can also be given entirely in English.
In-company
Would you like to organise this training for a whole group or several groups? This can be cost-effective. For example, we can tailor the content entirely to your organisation, and training a whole group is also cheaper.
Are you looking at large numbers of participants or a complete academy? That involves a great deal. Consider planning and communication, for example, or identifying and agreeing the objectives and content of the training. Or differences in level, feedback mechanisms and safeguarding. Fortunately, Learnit has extensive experience in this field (more than 25 years) and we are happy to help you through this process.
All start dates
2 training days. In order of date.
- Thu 5 & Thu 19 November 2026 Amsterdam · 10:00–17:00 Enrol
- Thu 26 Nov & Thu 10 Dec 2026 Utrecht · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 29 October Enrol
- Mon 14 Dec 2026 & Mon 4 Jan 2027 Utrecht · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 16 November Enrol
- Mon 14 Dec 2026 & Mon 4 Jan 2027 Online · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 16 November Enrol
- Mon 4 & Mon 18 January 2027 Groningen · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 7 December Enrol
- Mon 4 & Mon 18 January 2027 Zwolle · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 7 December Enrol
- Thu 11 & Thu 25 February 2027 Amsterdam · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 14 January Enrol
- Mon 5 & Mon 19 April 2027 Groningen · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 8 March Enrol
- Mon 5 & Mon 19 April 2027 Zwolle · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 8 March Enrol
- Thu 15 & Thu 29 April 2027 Arnhem · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 18 March Enrol
- Mon 26 Apr & Mon 10 May 2027 Rotterdam · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 29 March Enrol
- Fri 7 & Fri 21 May 2027 The Hague · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 9 April Enrol
- Thu 26 Aug & Thu 9 Sep 2027 The Hague · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 29 July Enrol
No suitable start date? Send us a date request, and we'll look at the options together.
This course for your team?
Plan your own group on a date that suits you, at your office, at our premises or online. We tailor the content to your day-to-day work, and training a whole group is cheaper than individual bookings.
- Your date and location
- Tailored content
- Multiple groups or an academy are also possible
- More than 25 years' experience
The trainers for this course
Ratings from participants after completing their course, across all courses by this trainer.
What others say about this course
Managing Volunteers course: average 8.6 from 25 reviews
“The trainer's professionalism in particular appealed to me. She was very flexible in how she presented the material. A good alternation of exercises and theory.”
“The course offered relevant information about working with and leading volunteers. Good insight into your own (leadership and other) qualities, and there was plenty of room for case discussion and exchange. I learned a lot – from the course, the trainer, the other participants, and once again a great deal about myself.”
"The course is full of practical tools showing the target group how to carry out their work in a well-considered way; both the material presented and the exercises help with this. The trainer prepares thoroughly for the participants' backgrounds, both culturally and in terms of their working environment."
"Enjoyable, instructive course. Clear explanations and plenty of opportunity to ask questions."
“Because the trainer had asked about my wishes by telephone before the course, the content matched my work situation well and I was able to make the most of it. I found the trainer very knowledgeable and flexible in putting the programme together: she could respond to stumbling blocks immediately. There was enough variety, the pace and level were good, and the role plays, sometimes filmed, were not my favourite parts, but they were very useful. They are what you learn the most from after all.”
"Good content, matched my learning needs. The preliminary telephone conversation was well reflected in what I saw in the course. Good combination of theory and practice. The pace was easy to keep up with. Professional."
"This course was a useful addition for me. The telephone contact with the trainer beforehand was pleasant and my learning objectives were covered in full."
“I have gained new insights into how other communication techniques can help convey a message more effectively.”
“I learned a great deal about myself, which is not what I expected. Great trainer and I learned an enormous amount.”
"The course met my requirements and I learned a great deal from it. A good learning process."
"An enjoyable, interactive course that makes you think. The course also helps you form a better picture of the volunteers you have to manage. A good kick-off session for getting everyone in your organisation who works with volunteers on the same page and making use of each other's qualities"
“A good, practical course that will certainly bring benefits in the future. A highly professional and capable trainer who keeps inspiring you.”
"It was pleasant to attend the course; the material was conveyed to the participants in a sound and realistic way."
“This course offers a broad range of insights and skills that you can apply when managing volunteers. The trainer's experience and expertise, combined with the small number of participants, left plenty of room to bring in our own cases, which makes it directly applicable in practice.”
“The Learnit Training course was well tailored to our working situation, which makes it highly applicable. It was also delivered in an enjoyable way.”
“An extremely instructive and enjoyable course! You can apply what you have learned in your work straight away.”
"An excellent training course that helps you achieve your goals with the help of volunteers. You can adjust your own behaviour and communication to have a more direct influence on your volunteers."
“A surprising course. Learned a lot about conversation techniques.”
"A very enjoyable and useful course! I gained plenty of tools and insights for dealing better with the group of volunteers. Lots of opportunity to practise with my own cases, which really helps you retain the material!"
“Interesting, with a great many practical tips for use in your work, which you then practise straight away through role plays and case studies. I got a lot out of it.”
"Good variety and content. An eye-opener and immediately applicable in my own practice."
“For the Managing Volunteers course we spent a day with Mieke from Learnit. In one day Mieke took us through various practical tools for managing volunteers. I learned a great deal from the course and enough practical situations were covered for me to grow further in managing volunteers.”
“The first acquaintance with Learnit Training leaves you wanting more! I look back on a valuable course.”
“Thanks to the pleasant teaching style there was plenty of room to cover all facets of managing volunteers properly. Alongside the trainer's highly professional attitude, there was also enough room to approach the material from our own perspective and experience. A very varied programme. A very knowledgeable trainer.”
“The course was very instructive and provided a lot of insight! It teaches you to look differently at the way you lead and communicate with volunteers! Definitely applicable in practice!”
"What you learn during this course can be applied well in practice."
"During the course we as a group were made to think again, and we now have tools and the motivation to take this further. The trainers tailored the course well to our situation and our learning objectives, so that we as a team can work to a higher standard."
"This training course has something to offer both experienced and new managers."
“I found the course very positive: a knowledgeable trainer, room for your own input and a good opportunity to practise the conversation techniques covered.”
“This is a highly relevant course if you manage or work with volunteers. Learning soft skills is then a necessary condition for increasing volunteers' motivation, involvement and commitment. Not only in order to work together pleasantly, but also to give feedback and, where necessary, to hold a bad-news conversation.”
"I had taken management courses before, but I was very pleased with the approach of this course, which focused on working with volunteers. It was an eye-opener."
“This course makes you aware of the do's and don'ts of working with volunteers, and the pitfalls involved. You gain far more insight into the motives and underlying emotions of volunteers and learn to communicate more openly, more respectfully and much more effectively. There were genuinely a number of eye-openers! What you learn can be applied straight away and produces immediate results. Highly recommended!”
"Managing volunteers is an interesting course in which 'volunteers' as a concept does not necessarily come up. That doesn't matter, because the skills learned are far more broadly applicable than just to volunteers. The course is mainly about communication and interaction with people. The course provided a great deal of insight into holding good conversations, giving feedback and not avoiding difficult conversations."
“Instructive, worthwhile, inspiring and a committed and empathetic trainer.”
“A well-executed tailor-made course. All the topics we wanted to cover were covered. Very pleasant that a course goes ahead even with small numbers!”
“This course makes you aware of how important communication is, but also of the role you play in it yourself and of the fact that you have a behavioural choice to change a situation. You also learn to look more closely at why some situations do not work and how you could adjust this.”
“I found the course very positive: a knowledgeable trainer, room for your own input and a good opportunity to practise the conversation techniques covered.”
“This course offers a broad range of insights and skills that you can apply when managing volunteers. The trainer's experience and expertise, combined with the small number of participants, left plenty of room to bring in our own cases, which makes it directly applicable in practice.”
“The first acquaintance with Learnit Training leaves you wanting more! I look back on a valuable course.”
“This course offers a broad range of insights and skills that you can apply when managing volunteers. The trainer's experience and expertise, combined with the small number of participants, left plenty of room to bring in our own cases, which makes it directly applicable in practice.”
“Very spontaneous and clear!”
“As far as I am concerned, it is a course with a good mix of theory and practical tools. It gives you the confidence to approach the change process with an open mind!”
“A valuable course for anyone looking for insight and practical tools for coaching leadership. It covers not only the various styles (and how to apply them). You also learn in which situations, with whom and for which tasks you help the other person most effectively / get them moving.”
“Excellent course with an inspiring trainer. The trainer responds well to needs and situations. Quite impressive to fit in and get out so much in two days. I now have a clear picture of coaching leadership and how it can help me.”
"The course is full of practical tools showing the target group how to carry out their work in a well-considered way; both the material presented and the exercises help with this. The trainer prepares thoroughly for the participants' backgrounds, both culturally and in terms of their working environment."
"During the course we as a group were made to think again, and we now have tools and the motivation to take this further. The trainers tailored the course well to our situation and our learning objectives, so that we as a team can work to a higher standard."
"The course is full of practical tools showing the target group how to carry out their work in a well-considered way; both the material presented and the exercises help with this. The trainer prepares thoroughly for the participants' backgrounds, both culturally and in terms of their working environment."
“The Learnit Training course was well tailored to our working situation, which makes it highly applicable. It was also delivered in an enjoyable way.”
“As far as I am concerned, it is a course with a good mix of theory and practical tools. It gives you the confidence to approach the change process with an open mind!”
“A course that gives you insight into your own behaviour and that of others, and provides tools for dealing with it.”
Training formats
Classroom
2 days€ 1300,-- Pleasant venue with a good trainer
- Small groups
- Inspiring and motivating
In-company
Bespoke trainingOn request- 100% for your group
- Bespoke training
- At your place or ours
Workshop
Up to 4 hours for groupsOn request- Suitable for events
- Interactive and inspiring
- Large groups too
Private training
At our place or yoursOn request- 100% just for you
- Achieve a lot in little time
- Whenever you want
Frequently asked questions
Can I cancel free of charge?
Yes. Up to four weeks before the first day of the course you can cancel free of charge, without giving a reason. You then receive a credit note or, if you have already paid, a refund. If you cancel later, you pay part of the course fee: 25% between four and two weeks before the start, 75% in the two weeks before it and 100% in the final week. Moving to another start date is free of charge up to two weeks before the start, after that 50%. Sending a colleague in your place is always possible. Read the cancellation terms.
Who is the Managing Volunteers course suitable for?
Which topics are covered on the Managing Volunteers course?
Do you receive a certificate after the Managing Volunteers course?
How does the Managing Volunteers course teach you to deal with difficult situations?
Which leadership styles will you learn to apply during the Leading Volunteers course?
What is the difference between managing volunteers and managing paid employees, and how does this course address that?
When should you choose this classroom course instead of a book or an online course on leadership?
What does this course give me that I would not learn automatically in my daily work as a coordinator?
How do I know whether I am ready to hold corrective and exit interviews with volunteers after this course?
How does this course compare to a training course on managing paid employees? Is it worthwhile if I already have management experience?
How quickly can I apply the conversation techniques and leadership styles from this course in practice with my volunteers?
What does the Leading Volunteers course cost and how long does it take?
You can find the current price at the top right of this course page, along with the schedule, location and delivery format. For in-company or bespoke courses we are happy to provide a quotation on request.
Next start: Thu 5 & Thu 19 November 2026 in Amsterdam
Free cancellation up to four weeks before the start, so you can secure a place now.