EPISODE · Dec 21, 2025 · 39 MIN
63. Engaging Volunteers for Impact: Karen Knight on Building Volunteer Programs
from Changemaker Q&A · host Humanitarian Changemakers Network
Karen Knight is a volunteer engagement specialist with a fascinating career journey from cabinet maker to consultant. In this episode, Karen shares her insights on how volunteering has shifted over the years, from traditional long-term commitments to today’s demand for flexibility and project-based opportunities. We discuss strategies for attracting and retaining volunteers, how to avoid saviourism in community work, and what leaders can do to prevent burnout while building meaningful and impactful volunteer programs.About Our Guest: Karen Knight has been providing volunteer engagement advice, mentoring and training for social impact organizations for close to 30 years. An internationally-recognized author, presenter and thought leader, Karen is known for challenging the standard thinking around volunteerism, turning a spotlight on overlooked problems and bringing creative solutions to long-standing issues.📰 Read the accompanying article for this podcast episode here.Join the Changemaker Q&A Community & ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERE💬 If you find this podcast valuable, it would really help us out to leave a rating & review wherever you're listening.Social Impact Foundations FREE Training Bundle Follow HCN on Instagram @humanitarianchangemakersFollow Tiyana on Instagram: @tiyanajThe views expressed in this podcast are those of Tiyana J & guests and are not reflective of all members of the Humanitarian Changemakers Network.
What this episode covers
Karen Knight is a volunteer engagement specialist with a fascinating career journey from cabinet maker to consultant. In this episode, Karen shares her insights on how volunteering has shifted over the years, from traditional long-term commitments to today’s demand for flexibility and project-based opportunities. We discuss strategies for attracting and retaining volunteers, how to avoid saviourism in community work, and what leaders can do to prevent burnout while building meaningful and impactful volunteer programs.About Our Guest: Karen Knight has been providing volunteer engagement advice, mentoring and training for social impact organizations for close to 30 years. An internationally-recognized author, presenter and thought leader, Karen is known for challenging the standard thinking around volunteerism, turning a spotlight on overlooked problems and bringing creative solutions to long-standing issues.📰 Read the accompanying article for this podcast episode here.Join the Changemaker Q&A Community & ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERE💬 If you find this podcast valuable, it would really help us out to leave a rating & review wherever you're listening.Social Impact Foundations FREE Training Bundle Follow HCN on Instagram @humanitarianchangemakersFollow Tiyana on Instagram: @tiyanajThe views expressed in this podcast are those of Tiyana J & guests and are not reflective of all members of the Humanitarian Changemakers Network.
NOW PLAYING
63. Engaging Volunteers for Impact: Karen Knight on Building Volunteer Programs
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Oct 3, 2025 ·28m
Sep 16, 2025 ·29m
Sep 16, 2025 ·47m
Sep 12, 2025 ·37m
Sep 11, 2025 ·40m
Sep 10, 2025 ·40m