Making a Ruckus

Tom Gill doesn't work in the volunteering sector. He's a cultural placemaking consultant and writer for The Guardian, who spends his career studying how cities and communities create connection.So, when he wanted to find community for himself, he didn't start with the research. He went looking for it in person, in his own neighbourhood.In this episode, Tom and I talk about what he found: what happened when he tried to volunteer, why the invitation to get involved can feel more like a job application than an invitation at all, and what gets lost when connection moves online.This one's for anyone who shapes how people first encounter your organisation, and for anyone who's wondered what volunteering might look like if we designed it around people and place rather than process.Want to hear more? Sign up for my newsletter at ⁠⁠www.traceyoneillconsulting.com.au⁠⁠ for fortnightly thinking on volunteer engagement, impact, and making a ruckus.Be Bold. Stay Curious. Keep making a Ruckus.Mentioned:Tom's website and Substack: www.Tom-gill.comFollow Tom on Instagram: ⁠@tomgillTom's article How to find community in 2025: ‘The most important thing I’ve learned is I’m not alone’Tom's article Write a card, read a poem, take fewer photos: how to feel more human in 2026Tom Gill's profile on The GuardianRobert Putnam's Bowling AloneHugh Mackay's booksOrganisations mentionedRed Frogs, AustraliaRiding for the Disabled, UKVolunteering AustraliaConnecting the CauseCity of Melbourne, Visitor ServicesAustralian Neighbourhood Houses and CentresConnect:Learn more: ⁠⁠traceyoneillconsulting.com.au⁠⁠Join the conversation on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠@traceyoneillcva⁠⁠Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠@tracey.volunteerengagement⁠⁠Follow on Facebook: ⁠⁠Tracey O’Neill Consulting

What if the most important impacts of volunteering can't be counted?In this episode of Making a Ruckus, Tracey is joined by volunteerism researcher, writer, and thought leader Sue Carter Kahl, whose work has challenged volunteer engagement professionals around the world to rethink how we understand and talk about impact.Sue shares insights from more than 30 years in the sector, including the research behind her doctoral dissertation, Making the Invisible Visible, and her ongoing work exploring the multidimensional value of volunteering.Together, Tracey and Sue unpack why so many organisations remain stuck reporting volunteer numbers, hours, and dollar values — and why, even when we do get more creative with data, it often still doesn't shift minds or unlock resources. Because the real barrier might not be the data at all. It might be the unexamined beliefs about volunteering that are unintentionally shaping decisions at every level of our organisations.They explore:Why hours and wage replacement rarely tell the full story of volunteeringHow to uncover and articulate the outcomes that matter mostPractical ways to move beyond counting activities and start capturing impactThe role of stories, relationships, and "witnessing" in understanding changeWhy leaders of volunteer engagement shouldn't wait for permission to tell better storiesThe hidden beliefs about volunteering that may be blocking change — and how to surface themThis conversation is about more than impact reporting. It's about what's at stake when we reduce volunteering to economic value — and what we risk losing if we start to commodify community. It's about the future of volunteer engagement itself: the stories we tell, the assumptions we challenge, and the role volunteering can play in building stronger, more connected communities.If you've ever felt frustrated that volunteer reports don't capture what you know is happening in your community, this conversation will give you practical ideas, fresh language, and permission to think differently.Because not everything that matters can be counted. And not everything that can be counted is what matters most.Want to hear more? Sign up for my newsletter at ⁠www.traceyoneillconsulting.com.au⁠ for weekly thinking on volunteer engagement, impact, and making a ruckus.Be Bold. Stay Curious. Keep making a Ruckus.Mentioned:Sue Carter Kahl Volunteer Commons websiteConnect with Sue on LinkedIn: @sue-carter-kahlSue's article "I Love Tracking My Volunteer Hours! - No Volunteer Ever"Sue's article "Trading Measurement for Witnessing"IAVE's Call to Action for the Future of VolunteeringConnect:Learn more: ⁠traceyoneillconsulting.com.au⁠Join the conversation on LinkedIn: ⁠@traceyoneillcva⁠Follow on Instagram: ⁠@tracey.volunteerengagement⁠Follow on Facebook: ⁠Tracey O’Neill Consulting

Over the past couple of months on Making a Ruckus, I’ve been exploring volunteer engagement through the lens of Volunteer Love Languages. Not to label people. But to notice something that doesn’t always get talked about. That people don’t just volunteer in different ways — they experience volunteering differently. And that shapes what keeps them there. Some people stay because they can contribute.Some stay because they feel seen.Some stay because of the connection.Some stay because they have something that reminds them of what they’ve done.Some stay because the space feels warm, human… like they belong. In this final episode, I bring all five love languages together and explore what they reveal about the volunteer experience — and why paying attention to this can help you create environments where more people feel connected, valued and able to stay. If you’ve been listening along, this episode will help you see the full picture. If you’re new, it’s a great place to start — and then go back and explore each episode in the series.Be Bold. Stay Curious. Keep making a Ruckus.Connect:Learn more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.traceyoneillconsulting.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the conversation on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@traceyoneillcva⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tracey.volunteerengagement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tracey O'Neill Consulting⁠⁠

Receiving Gifts is often the volunteer love language that makes organisations the most uncomfortable.Volunteering is frequently framed as altruistic — something people do without expecting anything in return. Because of this, tangible gestures of appreciation can feel unnecessary, or they become standardised tokens given to everyone.But what if gifts aren’t really about the object at all?In this episode of Making a Ruckus, Tracey explores Receiving Gifts as a volunteer love language — and how tangible symbols can help people hold onto moments of contribution, recognition and belonging.Drawing on stories from practice, including a powerful moment with a volunteer named Rae, this episode explores:why gifts can feel complicated in volunteer cultureshow tangible gestures anchor memories of contributionthe difference between generic recognition and meaningful symbolshow policies and fairness can unintentionally make appreciation feel impersonalways leaders can design recognition that reinforces belonging rather than brandingBecause sometimes the most meaningful gift isn’t what it costs.It’s what it represents.Be Bold. Stay Curious. Keep making a Ruckus.Connect:Learn more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.traceyoneillconsulting.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the conversation on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@traceyoneillcva⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tracey.volunteerengagement⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tracey O'Neill Consulting⁠

When Being Seen Is More Than Being ThankedLeaders of volunteer engagement are often excellent at recognition. We say thank you. We run awards nights. We celebrate National Volunteer Week. But for some volunteers, “thank you” isn’t the thing they’re listening for. They’re listening for indicators that they belong.They want to understand the difference they make. They want to know where they fit. They want to hear their contribution named in a way that strengthens belonging. In this episode, we explore:Why generic gratitude can feel hollowThe difference between appreciation and affirmationHow to recognise volunteers who value Words of AffirmationWhat it looks like to build a culture of noticing — not just recognition eventsHow affirmation strengthens psychological safety, retention, and sustainabilityThe kids of volunteer roles that might appeal to those who value Words of AffirmationWords of Affirmation is the easiest love language to attend to. It’s also the easiest to dilute.Because when contribution isn’t clearly visible, belonging becomes fragile. This episode isn’t about praising volunteers more. It’s about making volunteer contribution visible — consistently, specifically, and culturally. Be Bold. Stay Curious. Keep making a ruckus.Connect:Learn more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.traceyoneillconsulting.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the conversation on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@traceyoneillcva⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@tracey.volunteerengagement⁠Follow on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Tracey O'Neill Consulting

In the Season 1 finale of Making a Ruckus, Tracey O’Neill reflects on one of the most overlooked moments in volunteer engagement: what happens when volunteering ends.Too often, the end of a volunteer role is treated as an administrative exit — rosters updated, keys returned, surveys sent, and relationships quietly closed. But what if this moment holds more possibility than we realise?In this episode, Tracey explores why the way organisations approach the end of volunteering can either weaken or deepen connection. Drawing on a community-centred lens, she invites listeners to reconsider “exit” and to imagine what becomes possible when relationships are stewarded with care, curiosity, and intention.This conversation isn’t about expecting lifelong service. It’s about recognising that when people feel welcomed, valued, listened to, and part of meaningful change, their connection doesn’t simply disappear when a role finishes — it evolves.When volunteering ends, the relationship doesn’t have to.Stay bold, stay curious — and keep making a ruckus.Connect:Learn more: ⁠⁠⁠www.traceyoneillconsulting.com.au⁠⁠⁠Join the conversation on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠@traceyoneillcva⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@tracey.volunteerengagementFollow on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠Tracey O'Neill Consulting

This year’s International Volunteer Day launches the 2026 UN International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development — and there has never been a more important time to rethink how we recognise and value volunteers.In this episode, Tracey O’Neill flips the script on traditional volunteer appreciation. Instead of asking “How do we thank volunteers for what they do?”, she asks the bigger question:“How do we honour who volunteers are — and the strengths they bring that shape culture, community and impact?”Drawing on more than 25 years of experience, Tracey introduces her Four Pillars of Volunteer Appreciation — Recognition, Reward, Participation and Progression — and explores how leaders of volunteer engagement can move beyond morning teas and certificates to activate strengths, shift systems and influence organisational culture.She unpacks how Participation and Progression aren’t just ways to value volunteers, but powerful practices that position leaders of volunteer engagement as cultural leaders — shaping belonging, voice, inclusion and leadership across the organisation.Here’s the shift we’ve been waiting for: seeing volunteer engagement as culture work, not administrative work.If we want a more inclusive, equitable, community-centred future, then Participation and Progression must sit at the heart of our recognition practices.If you’re ready to shift from “thank-you strategies” to practices that elevate voice, leadership and belonging, this episode will spark new ways of thinking.Every contribution matters. Every contribution begins with strengths. And recognition is only the beginning.Stay bold, stay curious — and keep making a ruckus.Connect:Learn more: ⁠⁠www.traceyoneillconsulting.com.au⁠⁠Join the conversation on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠@traceyoneillcva⁠⁠Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠@tracey.volunteerengagementFollow on Facebook: ⁠⁠Tracey O'Neill Consulting

What if volunteers aren’t walking away — they’re just choosing a path that feels right for them?In Episode 3 of Making a Ruckus, Tracey O’Neill explores the metaphor of Elephant Paths — those natural shortcuts peoplecarve when the “official path” just doesn’t make sense for them. And what these paths tell us about volunteer behaviour today.Instead of seeing low recruitment conversion or disengagement as a sign that people don’t want to volunteer, Tracey reframes it: people are volunteering — they’re just stepping around the hoops, delays, and rigid processes. They’re choosing paths that feel intuitive, meaningful, flexible — paths that fit with their real life.You’ll hear:Why many people start the journey to volunteer…and then step awayHow delays, friction, rigid processes andmisaligned roles shape these “paths”Why informal volunteering isn’t competition —it’s communicationHow Elephant Paths mirror Aboriginal Songlinesand the ancient wisdom of following meaning, not controlHow you can “read the map” volunteers arealready drawing — and design systems people want to walkThis episode will change how you understand disengagement.It’s not apathy. It’s adaptation.A quiet—but powerful—signal about where meaning and momentum truly live.Stay bold. Stay curious. Keep making a ruckus. Mentioned:Tracey's LinkedIn article on Elephant Paths: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-volunteers-tread-own-path-tracey-o-neill-cva-ke01c/Connect:Learn more: www.traceyoneillconsulting.com.auJoin the conversation on LinkedIn: @traceyoneillcvaFollow on Instagram: @tracey.volunteerengagementFollow on Facebook: Tracey O'Neill Consulting

In this episode, Tracey O’Neill launches Making a Ruckus on International Volunteer Managers Day (5 November) — a day that honours the leaders who don’t just manage volunteers but mobilise communities, challenge systems, and create change that truly matters.The 2025 IVM Day theme, “Be Bold. Make Change.”, isn’t just a slogan — it’s a call to action. Tracey explores what boldness really means in volunteer engagement: not being the loudest voice in the room, but the one brave enough to ask why, to imagine something better, and to centre people and community in every decision.She shares the story behind her own ruckus — from her first volunteering experiences as a ten-year-old serving lunch on Christmas Day to leading volunteer services in hospitals and national organisations. Tracey reflects on the turning points that shaped her belief that volunteering isn’t about hours, rosters, or checklists, but about connection, belonging, and purpose.You’ll hear how curiosity and courage led her to re-examine everything she thought she knew about leadership, and how working at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre ignited her vision for a more human, innovative, community-centred approach to volunteering.Along the way, Tracey honours Roz Valentine — a cherished colleague, fierce advocate for the profession and a true ruckus-maker whose legacy continues to inspire bold leadership and compassion in action.This episode is both a reflection and an invitation to:Be bold enough to question the old systems that no longer serve us.Stay curious about what’s possible when we lead with heart.And make the kind of noise that moves us forward.Tracey also shares how she’s been inspired by Adam Grant’s work on curiosity and rethinking — exploring how a mindset of openness can unlock transformation in volunteer engagement and beyond.Because Making a Ruckus is about exactly that — sparking conversations that challenge what’s always been done, amplifying new ideas, and inspiring leaders to create change that centres people and community.So, as you listen, consider your own bold next step. What ruckus will you make?Because volunteering isn’t a task or something we manage — it’s how we live in community. And when we design our systems and experiences with belonging, agency, and purpose at their heart, that’s when the magic happens.Be bold. Stay curious. Make a ruckus.Connect:Learn more: ⁠traceyoneill.com.au⁠Join the conversation on LinkedIn: ⁠@traceyoneillcva⁠Follow on Instagram: ⁠@tracey.volunteerengagementFollow on Facebook: ⁠Tracey O’Neill Consulting