Communicating with Staff and Leadership
Build trust with the staff and leaders who count on you.
For: Any volunteer
What you’ll learn
- Ask questions and give updates clearly and promptly
- Know when and how to escalate an issue
- Build trust with the staff who coordinate your work
Screen your volunteers for $5
VolunteerBadge runs FCRA-compliant background checks for just $5 — with identity verification built in. No monthly fees, no contracts.
Create a free account →Course outline
- 1
Why your communication matters more than you think
4 min
- 2
Knowing who to talk to (and through which channel)
4 min
- 3
Asking great questions
4 min
- 4
Giving clear updates that staff can use
4 min
- 5
When and how to escalate
5 min
- 6
Handling disagreement and feedback gracefully
4 min
- 7
Closing the loop and building lasting trust
3 min
Sources & further reading
- Independent Sector — Value of Volunteer Time (2025): $36.14 per hour
- VolunteerHub — Volunteer Communication: The #1 Key to Improving Retention
- Galaxy Digital — Why Volunteers Quit and How to Streamline Retention (65% avg retention)
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) — SBAR Technique for Communication (TeamSTEPPS)
- NonProfit PRO — How Nonprofits Can Enhance Volunteer-Staff Collaboration
This course is educational and provides general information about the Fair Credit Reporting Act and volunteer-screening best practices. It is not legal advice. Laws vary by state and change over time — consult a qualified attorney about your organization’s specific obligations.