REFLECTION TOOLS
Reflection is a crucial part of processing new experiences for volunteers. Organizations can support the development of their volunteers in becoming more confident, resilient, and aware by creating the space and time for them to critically think back on the interactions, reactions, observations, ideas, or feelings they experienced during their shift. Reflection can take many forms - it can happen through writing, reading, drawing, or discussion, and it can be an individual task or a group activity.
The following prompts and formats are meant to help facilitate volunteer reflection in a lightweight, fun way. It shouldn’t feel like homework or training for a volunteer. You can adapt the questions or formats to fit the resources, capacity, and specific values of your organization. Some of these reflection prompts correspond to common experiences that volunteers often share. These prompts are more in depth and can be used in more intimate settings like an individual exercise or integrated into the peer volunteer system. Other prompts are meant for everyday situations and can be used in a group setting or as an asynchronous activity to build community.
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Below are some scenarios where you might consider inviting volunteers to reflect:
CONVERSATION STARTERS
You can incorporate prompts as icebreakers during orientation, volunteer trainings, or community events or as casual conversation starters between volunteers to debrief after a shift or volunteering event. Prompts can also be printed on small cards as reference materials for staff to increase volunteer community engagement.
Some prompts to consider:
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What do you hope to gain from this volunteer experience?
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What’s something that surprised you today?
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What’s something you’re proud of today?
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Describe something that you learned today.
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What’s something you’re exploring as a volunteer?
GROUP ACTIVITIES
Turn a reflective prompt into a lightweight group activity so that volunteers can share their experiences with one another. This reflection format is a great way for volunteers to learn from one another and gain a different perspective. Keep in mind, though, to monitor responses if they are being shared in a public forum. Reflective group activities can also be a way to celebrate volunteers by designating a space within the organization to display their thoughts or opinions. It can also help build a sense of collaboration or community through its participatory nature.
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Some prompts to consider:
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What’s a memorable interaction that you had today?
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What did you learn about today?
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What would you like to learn more about?
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What are you curious about?
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What challenge did you overcome today?
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How does this value show up in our work? [Values Tree activity]
PEER VOLUNTEER SYSTEM
As part of the new volunteer-mentor buddy system, create a peer check-in where time is carved out of the mentor’s and new volunteer’s shifts to allow space for the volunteer to process and review their experience in their role so far. Volunteers in client-facing roles may also naturally share stories with one another about interactions they’ve experienced so it is important to equip all volunteers with the knowledge in supporting and guiding one another.
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Some prompts to consider:
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How did that interaction make you feel? Did any surprising emotions come up?
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Why do you think you (or the volunteer) responded in the way you (they) did?
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Why do you think the client responded in the way they did?
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What would help you feel more supported in future situations like this?
INDIVIDUAL REFLECTION GUIDES
These formatted templates can be adapted to fit the needs, values, and practices at your organization. Consider incorporating these templates into orientation materials so that volunteers will have these tools to use when they need them. Templates are most effective when introduced and walked through by a volunteer manager beforehand.
