• Volunteers must be supported as integral team members with proper onboarding, supervision and emotional support
• Three foundational principles: volunteers should be supported, informed, and respected
• Training must include basic safeguarding awareness, maintaining professional boundaries, and reporting procedures
• Secondary trauma affects volunteers as much as paid staff—organizations have a duty of care to provide proper support
• Faith communities face special challenges with boundaries as personal connections often overlap with volunteer roles
• Volunteer engagement has evolved from informal helpers to formalized roles with clear expectations and proper integration
• Clear safeguarding structures are essential in faith settings to prevent blurred lines and ensure proper reporting
• Three foundational principles: volunteers should be supported, informed, and respected
• Training must include basic safeguarding awareness, maintaining professional boundaries, and reporting procedures
• Secondary trauma affects volunteers as much as paid staff—organizations have a duty of care to provide proper support
• Faith communities face special challenges with boundaries as personal connections often overlap with volunteer roles
• Volunteer engagement has evolved from informal helpers to formalized roles with clear expectations and proper integration
• Clear safeguarding structures are essential in faith settings to prevent blurred lines and ensure proper reporting
