Internally, most non-profit organizations are now compelled to make more and more use of community volunteers to increase or simply to maintain their service delivery. For some organizations this has meant making a substantially more serious commitment to their existing volunteer programs. For others it has meant entering into a whole new arena for their organization. Fifteen years ago, Wood's Homes, a treatment centre for troubled children and their families in Calgary had no volunteer involvement other than the members of the board of directors. Today, more than two hundred people are involved as volunteers in a wide range of capacities.
Board members work alongside senior staff.
Program volunteers provide services that complement and even duplicate the work of professional staff. A whole range of other volunteers support the organization through their efforts on various committees and fundraising efforts. While every volunteer represents a means to acquire valuable support he or she also represents a point of potential conflict. A satisfied volunteer may be the best emissary for an organization but an angry and alienated volunteer can jeopardize an organization both internally and externally. The external damage caused by such a person can be particularly severe because the organization may not even be aware of the damage that has been done.