First Day Podcast

In this episode of The First Day podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz welcomes Jaclyn Piatek, Ph.D., professor at UNC Charlotte and co-author of Volunteer Management: A Strategic Approach, to bust the myth that volunteers are just free labor. Piatek lays the groundwork for a new way of thinking about volunteers, not as warm bodies to do the grunt work, but as essential, diverse contributors who require thoughtful management, planning, and engagement. And yes, that includes job descriptions, onboarding, and believe it or not, offboarding too. Strategic volunteerism isn’t about saving money. It’s about building capacity. Piatek dives into the inequities surrounding volunteerism, noting that folks who are unemployed, lack internet access, or are outside your usual social circles may be less likely to volunteer, not because they don't want to, but because they’re not being asked. “The number one reason people volunteer is because they’re invited,” she explains, urging nonprofits to cast a wider, more inclusive net.