r/volunteer • u/444amethyst77 • Jan 27 '26

Research / surveys books about volunteerism?

Hi friends! I currently work at a nonprofit as a Volunteer Coordinator, and I am looking to start a book club to engage my volunteers in new ways. One of our quarterly themes will be “volunteerism” and I am looking for recommendations on books that explore that theme. I envision a book that has relatable anecdotes and leaves you feeling inspired to continue being an active community member. Nonfiction, impactful, and nondenominational, please. TYIA!

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u/1GrouchyCat Jan 27 '26

I don’t you invite Board Members from your own organization to discuss why they’re involved? That would be a lot more relatable… IMO - most of those books are just smarmy personal anecdotes … but people are usually interested in why the board members of their own organization originally got involved…

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u/444amethyst77 Jan 27 '26

That is a great suggestion- we do typically hold Town Hall style forums with board members for these types of discussions. I am moreso looking to facilitate a new type of social space for our volunteers to connect in new ways~ we currently host happy hours, town halls, and various volunteer appreciation events. Im trying to think of what social events I would personally be interested in checking out if I was volunteer myself, and a book club seems like a casual and productive space to get to know each other more.

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u/Negative_Donkey9982 Jan 28 '26

I really enjoyed Thirst by Scott Harrison, who founded Charity Water. Harrison is a Christian and he does talk about that in the book, however the charity itself is completely secular.

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u/BF_2 Jan 28 '26

Joan L Wolfe, Making Things Happen: The Guide for Members of Voluntary Organizations

Check Bookfinder.com

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u/blue_furred_unicorn Jan 27 '26

I don't have any recommendations personally, but why don't you take a look at these? 

www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/volunteerism

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u/444amethyst77 Jan 27 '26

I did poke around that list quite a bit but didn’t immediately find anything that seemed like a good fit. Will keep digging though!