Volunteer Matters - Navigating Conflict with Compassion

Volunteer Matters- Navigating Conflict with Compassion- 3 Part Series

Register to join the Organizational Sustainability Team for a transformative professional development series designed to help volunteer coordinators skillfully navigate conflict and engage in difficult conversations with greater confidence and care. Over three interactive 90-minute sessions, participants will explore values, mindsets, and relational dynamics that support stronger volunteer relationships and inclusive environments.

Session #1: Exploring our Values, Expectations, Mindsets, and Assumptions

 (9/17 @ 2:00-3:30)

In this session, learners will delve into the values and mindsets essential for building strong relationships in volunteer groups to create an environment of mutuality and accountability. By exploring common barriers and effective strategies for fostering meaningful connections, this session will provide learners with a context for developing a culture of care and support within their volunteer communities. 

Session #2: Creating a Culture of Care and Connection: Seeing, Hearing, and Valuing Each Other 

(10/16 @ 2:00-3:30pm) 

In this session, learners will discover transformative conflict models that promote grace and compassion. By naming dynamics such as “cultures of nice,” we can shift from conflict avoidance and superficial "getting along," to embracing differences and addressing power dynamics that influence conflict. This session will provide tools to foster a culture of care and connection, enabling individuals to create genuine understanding and respect within their professional and personal relationships. 

 Session #3: Centering Relationships and Connections in Navigating Conflict and Tension

(11/12 @ 2:00-3:30pm)

In this session, learners will explore and apply constructive strategies in approaching conflict to foster meaningful connections. Moving away from traditional views of conflict as negative, learners will practice having conversations that move away from shame and blame to acknowledging emotions and calling others in. Learners will leave with tools rooted in dignity and respect that preserve and strengthen their relationships with volunteers, colleagues, and other community members. 

These sessions build on one another, and full participation is strongly encouraged. Come ready to reflect, connect, and grow alongside peers committed to cultivating trust and mutual understanding in volunteer work. Have a conflict or scenario you would like to have considered? Please consider submitting anonymously to help us provide relevant, real-world examples to enhance the experience.

Please share your questions and suggestions with Kelly Campbell (kmc86@cornell.edu).

Volunteer Conflict Scenarios

Help us enhance professional development experiences for staff engaging volunteers! We're collecting real-world volunteer challenges/conflict scenarios to create relevant case studies and discussion topics. Your submissions are anonymous, will be treated confidentially and modified as needed to protect privacy, but please modify your scenario details to ensure anonymity of county, program and volunteer names as much as possible. You might also consider including how the situation was resolved (if applicable) or what you wish had been done differently to add further context. Thank you for helping us enhance our professional development experiences and reach out to Kelly Campbell (kmc86@cornell.edu) with any questions. 

Scenarios could include but not limited to:

• Communication challenges

• Boundary issues

• Interpersonal conflicts

• Policy/Procedure Issues

• Role clarity conflicts

• Performance-related situations

• Motivation/Engagement