Coordinating volunteers can feel like a balancing act: one minute you’re celebrating their passion, the next you’re redirecting behavior that threatens to derail the mission. And when you're already stretched thin, it’s tempting to let poor behavior slide—until small issues become big headaches.

In this interactive, story-based session, empathy expert Liesel Mindrebo Mertes shares how empathy isn't just about being "nice"—it's a practical leadership skill that helps volunteer coordinators set boundaries, steer behavior, and sustain motivation. You’ll leave with practical tools, fresh language, and renewed confidence to lead your volunteers with empathy and accountability.

Coordinators will:

• Learn how to communicate expectations with empathy from the start to prevent misalignment down the road.

• Practice language for redirecting or reprimanding volunteers without alienating or discouraging them.

• Gain self-management strategies to stay grounded and effective when difficult conversations arise.