Recruiting volunteers: A good team of volunteers working on your project is essential for its success. In poorer areas especially, motivating volunteers to participate in projects can be a problem. Many are not inclined, or simply cannot afford to give their time for free. Therefore, whilst you are unlikely to be able to pay, try to make sure you offer something in return for people’s services: think food, travel, board, or simply a fun environment in which to make friends. Also, offering certificates to volunteers who complete the project, costs you little and is a valuable, career-boosting incentive to young people.

Task Distribution: Now you have recruited a team of volunteers, you need to make sure they are utilised well! Write down all the tasks and discuss with your group who is best suited to each. In most cases, you will find that the variety of talents in your group means tasks will naturally fall to the appropriate member. This is great because if your team volunteers for roles, rather than having them assigned, they will feel more attached and this will help keep them motivated! Only if you feel seriously doubtful about someone taking on a task, should you step in and assert your authority. Not only would it be bad news for your project, but learning through the disillusion of failure is not very motivating to your team and should be avoided at all costs.

Public speaking: Often you will be required to speak about your project in public. Here are some tips to help you deliver those inspiring speeches!

Be prepared. Obvious but essential! Know the main ideas and practice. Get somebody to listen to your speech, so
you get used to delivering to a crowd. This also gives you the chance to troubleshoot for any words that may cause you to stumble.

Use any nerves to your advantage! Nerves create adrenaline which makes your heart beat quicker and your brain think faster, turning you into an immediate genius!

Don’t be afraid to improvise. Speaking naturally is far more engaging than a scripted speech and, if it means you occasionally need to improvise, then go for it. As long as you are prepared, words should flow.

Remember YOU are the expert. So speak like one! Don’t deliver your words unsurely or apologetically. You know you are right, and if others see that, you will convince them.


Leading your team: Good leadership is essential to the success of your team. Everyone develops their own style: from the quiet and methodical to the flamboyant and magisterial! All leaders, however, need a certain fire to be able to say “Follow me!” and know your team will do so happily and gladly. You also need to be sensitive to people’s needs and motivations. An authoritarian, dictatorial style of leadership will make you lose sight of that. So look for a horizontal style that invites everyone to give their opinion and lends ownership of the project to all.
Leadership skills - there is no one way to manage a team well, but here are a few tips to help you along the right way!
Give lots of praise. Celebrate achievements big and small. Words are free and offer great motivation.
Learn to compromise. Stand up for what you feel strongly about but be prepared to let go of less important issues. People will be a lot more accepting of your view if you are not always dogmatic about it.
Communication is at the heart of every good team! Hold regular meetings and ensure that everyone, no matter how small their role, is informed and valued as a key team member.
Create a comfortable work setting. Aim for an atmosphere in which feelings and ideas can be openly expressed and disagreements worked through. Remember that you want your volunteers to come back! So have fun together and organise outings or socials outside of your project.
Don’t get possessive. This may well be you brainchild, but you need others to make it work. If you get too precious or controlling you will not find a willing team to make your dream a reality. Back