From Volunteer to Leader

December 3, 2025

From Volunteer to Leader

Christina V. Angelakos | 2017

Abstract

Volunteers are an integral part of our organizations. They are the driving force of nonprofits, churches, and community projects. Volunteers serve in a variety of roles, offering their support and donating their time, resources, and knowledge to complete tasks and help organizations function at their highest level. However, for all their assistance, very little time is spent developing them spiritually, physically, and emotionally. This is a mistake. Not only are volunteers one of our greatest assets, but they have the potential to become leaders in our organization and help us further expand our volunteer pool by developing others.

There is no “perfect” way to develop leaders, just as there are no “perfect” leaders. There are too many different personalities, situations, organizational cultures, and programs for it to be a one-size-fits-all solution. The purpose of this manuscript isn’t to prescribe a remedy that gives you exact instructions on how to develop volunteers into super leaders, but rather to be used as a compass to help guide you on your journey to grow volunteers into leaders.

The process for developing a volunteer intoa leader is broken up into six sections: 1) Know your team, 2) Know yourself, 3) Identify what leadership means to you and your organization, 4) Understand the roadblocks to leadership, 5) Establish the anatomy of your ideal leader within the organizational parameters, and 6) Take practical steps to help volunteers grow spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and professionally.

Leaders never fully arrive at the end of their journey. There is always room for growth no matter how long they have been leading. A vital part of developing leaders (and raising up volunteers) is to teach them how to connect with others who will help them along that journey. Coaching, mentoring, and peer relationships are where this magic happens, and this manuscript discusses various ways to incorporate them into the volunteer/leader experience at your organization.

Request Information

"*" indicates required fields

X/Twitter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Online or On Campus*

Online

On Campus

On Campus Degree Type*

Online Degree Type*

Choose a Program*

This program is designed for registered nurses looking to advance their degree. A valid, unencumbered RN license is required to apply.

RN License Confirmation*

I currently hold a valid RN license

Don't have your RN license yet? Explore other Regent programs.

High School Graduation*

Are you an employee or the spouse/dependent of an employee?*

Employee

Spouse/Dependent

Are you a JCI USA member or benefitted employee, or the spouse/dependent of an employee?*

Employee/Member

Spouse/Dependent

Email Address*

Company*

Agency*

Employee's Company*

Employee's Agency*

Company Email Address*

Agency Email Address*

Your Email Address*

Employee's Company Email Address*

Employee's Agency Email Address*

Employee's First Name*

Employee/Member's First Name*

Employee's Last Name*

Employee/Member's Last Name*

Your Email Address*

First Name*

Last Name*

I live outside the US

Address*