Make New Volunteers Feel Welcome

Aligned to: Lead the Board

What This Can Feel Like

A new volunteer shows up ready to serve on the Board or Leadership Team. They’re asking questions, trying to understand how things work, and looking for where they can contribute. But instead of clarity, they’re met with side conversations, unclear answers, and subtle signals that things are already decided. No one says it directly…but it can feel like there’s a clique—and you’re not part of it.

For many people, that’s enough to stop showing up.

A Better Way To Think About It

Attracting volunteers can sometimes be challenging. What many organizations don’t realize is that inclusion is what determines whether people stay. Cliques aren’t always intentional. They often form when the same people work together over time or when leadership becomes concentrated in one voice. However, when questions are discouraged or new ideas are shut down, people disengage—and the organization loses out. New volunteers aren’t there to disrupt the work. 

They’re trying to understand it, strengthen it, and be part of it.

What This Looks Like In Practice

An inclusive board culture is shaped by how people are treated every day:

• Answering questions openly, without defensiveness

• Explaining not just what is being done, but why

• Making space for input—even when it challenges what’s been done before

• Ensuring leadership is shared, not centered in one person

When people feel included and informed, they contribute more—and the organization becomes stronger because of it.

Playbook Pause

• Would someone new feel comfortable asking questions in our meetings?

• Do we explain decisions—or expect people to just fall in line?

• Are we actively creating space for everyone to share ideas and feedback?

Bottom Line

When people feel shut out, they step back. When they feel included, they step up.