The Institute of Volunteer Leadership (IVL) is a new hub offering both peer support and external guidance for volunteer managers and other leaders of volunteers. As a professional body, it is dedicated to developing, supporting, and recognising volunteer managers and leaders, while championing high standards across the volunteer management profession.
The IVL provides opportunities for leaders of volunteers across the island of Ireland to access and benefit from professional guidance, moral support, and in-sector peer mentors. It is designed to help members gain practical advice from others in similar roles, explore opportunities for personal and professional development, and strengthen recognition of the volunteer management profession.
Join us at a Discovery Session on Friday 29th May at 12:30 to learn more about how we are building this professional body together.
Membership fees are set at two levels:
Leaders of volunteers are practitioners who run, organise and manager volunteers on a regular basis, such as Volunteer Administrators, Officers, Coordinators, or Managers with responsibility for contacting and checking in with fellow volunteers on a regular basis
Leaders of volunteers – € 50
Strategic managers of volunteers are trustees or team leads who are responsible for developing volunteer programmes but do not necessarily organise the day-to-day support of volunteers. This could be board members or leaders in higher level management. These managers strategically plan volunteering and volunteer development and support within a larger organisation.
Leaders of corporate volunteering programmes are welcome to join and develop their skills and understanding of volunteer engagement. IVL wants to acknowledge that these leaders are an integral part of volunteer management sphere and involve them in the work of IVL.
Corporates / Strategic – €100
A 90% discounted bursary is available to leaders of volunteers who are volunteers themselves in entirely volunteer-led organisations. This payment/investment is made to convey value and offset the benefits members receive.
All members get equal access to all resources and offerings. No difference will be made in access.
Fantastic! Just fill in this form with your details. Once a member of the IVL team approves your application, we’ll send you everything you need to get your membership fee sorted and officially welcome you on board.
No. While we welcome a range of volunteer leadership experiences, the IVL is specifically for people whose primary focus is managing volunteers. We recognise that you may hold multiple roles within your organisation, so the IVL is intended as a dedicated space for the parts of your role that involve leading, managing, or organising volunteers. It is not a platform for marketing or promoting services to volunteer managers.
Absolutely! The IVL is designed to connect people at different stages and different experiences. Our framework maps out different development pathways so you can personalise it to your strengths and experiences, no matter where you are in your career.
Yes! If you lead volunteers, even in a voluntary role, the IVL is designed with you in mind. Be sure to take advantage of the lower membership rate available for volunteers.
Yes. Members of the IVL are the individuals and not the organisation, regardless of who pays the membership fee.
The IVL is jointly governed by Volunteer Ireland and Volunteer Now, who act as equal partners in all decision‑making. For further or more detailed queries, please contact [email protected]
In Northern Ireland, contact Alice O’Boyle at [email protected] and in the Republic of Ireland get in touch with Zsé Varga at [email protected]
