Leading Volunteers – A Servant Leadership Bootcamp You Never Knew You Needed

I had a great year serving as Rotary Club President in my community of Ngong Hills. I’ve been procrastinating for weeks, trying to write something based on that experience—because leading volunteers? That’s a whole different ball game.

Unlike a workplace where authority is tied to a paycheck, volunteer leadership has no such leverage. You’re not their boss. You can’t fire anyone. And you’re not being paid either—so there’s no “I need this job to pay my bills” motivation to fuel you when things get tough. You’re all there out of a shared desire to make an impact. That’s it.

Why I Stepped Up to Volunteer

Like many others, I started my journey with a desire to play a part in my community. To be part of the change I wanted to see. That’s how I found myself as a member of the Rotary Club of Ngong Hills. It’s a beautiful thing to be around people from diverse backgrounds—personally and professionally—united by the simple yet powerful need to make a difference.

Before I became Club President, I served in other roles, including Public Image Director—which, let me be honest, I completely flopped at. (We’ll come back to that in a moment.)

Here’s the point: Don’t put your hand up for something you have absolutely no interest in. It sucks the joy right out of volunteering.

But despite a few bumps, I’ve come out of the experience convinced: Everyone should lead a volunteer team at least once in their life. Here’s why.

---

The Art of Influence

How do you lead someone you can’t fire? How do you inspire someone who you’ll later ask for money to fund a community project? Don’t they hold the power?

Exactly.

Leading volunteers pushes you to master the art of influence—because authority doesn’t cut it here. You learn how to communicate clearly, persuade with empathy, and inspire people to act, not because they have to, but because they want to. It’s a true test of leadership maturity.

---

Vision Casting: It’s Not About You

One of the biggest shifts I had to make was learning that vision isn’t about “me.” It’s about “we.” I may have held the president’s title, but it was never my vision—it was our vision.

That realization changed how I communicated, planned, and led. I had to let go of my ego and ask, “What do we, as a group, stand for? And how do I align my ideas with that shared purpose?”

Pro Tip:
When crafting a vision, involve others in the process. Make space for contribution and shared ownership—it’s the surest way to build buy-in.

---

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Let’s just say, I prayed a lot during my year as president 😅. For WISDOM.

You’ll be called to solve problems that are way outside your comfort zone—logistics, finances, even interpersonal conflicts between members. You’re the go-to person. And you don’t always have the answers.

But here’s the thing: You grow in those moments. Your confidence stretches. You build emotional intelligence. You learn to pause, ask questions, and make decisions that serve the group, not just your own logic.

---

Self-Discipline on Another Level

It’s easy to show up when your salary, bonus, or performance review depends on it. But on this side of life—where there’s no monetary reward—you learn to show up because you said you would.

Volunteer leadership trains your self-discipline muscle like nothing else. It teaches you to lead with integrity and to honor your commitments simply because they matter.

---

Team Management That Humbles You

You’ll learn how to lead a team of people who are all juggling full lives—careers, families, other obligations—and still show up to serve. You learn to motivate, coordinate, and organize with empathy and clarity. Everyone is bringing their own baggage, time constraints, and motivations—so you must lead with heart and structure.

Having a meeting? Start it on time and end it on time. That simple act respects everyone’s time and builds trust in your leadership. It’s small things like this that create a rhythm of reliability and accountability within your team.

You’ll discover the power of recognizing contributions, following up on commitments without micromanaging, and creating a shared rhythm that moves everyone toward the goal—even if they’re all marching to different life tunes.

---

Self-Fulfilment That Money Can’t Buy

Leadership through service offers a deep sense of purpose. When you offer scholarship programs to needy students or support a community medical camp —you feel it in your soul.

There’s a quiet pride and joy that comes from knowing you made a difference—not because you were paid, but because you cared.

---

Cautionary Tale: Raise Your Hand—Just Wisely

Let’s talk about the dark side of volunteering. You say yes to everything. You overcommit. Burnout looms.

I’m a recovering yes girlie. I’ve volunteered for roles I had zero passion or interest in. And the outcome? Massive failure. I’d dread every meeting, drag my feet on deliverables, and end up disappointing not just the team—but myself. The guilt would hit hard because I had made all these commitments… and didn’t deliver.

That experience was a wake-up call. It taught me the value of intentional volunteering—only raising my hand when I truly feel aligned with the role and ready to show up with heart and consistency.

Before you say yes, ask yourself:

• Will this role grow me in the direction I want to go?
• Can I realistically commit time and energy to it?
• Will I actually enjoy doing it?

Because volunteering should add to your life—not drain it.

Oh, and I recently volunteered for a board role at my former primary school back in the village. So yes, I’m still volunteering for quite a number of roles—and I’m working to stay purposeful with it. I’ll be back to share how that journey is taking me… hopefully not to another yes girlie relapse 😄.

---

Volunteer Away

If you’ve been thinking of taking on a leadership role in your chama, professional group, church committee, or any volunteer-based space—do it.

It may not come with a paycheck, but it will pay you in ways that matter:

• Influence without authority
• Deep self-awareness
• Communication mastery
• Problem-solving skills
• A true sense of purpose

And the best part? You’ll be leading from the heart, not the wallet.

So go ahead—volunteer your leadership skills. You’ll be surprised who you become in the process.

---