Workshop - Engaging Today's Community to Volunteer

Workshop Description:

Explore fresh approaches to volunteer engagement designed for the evolving library environment. This interactive session, will challenge assumptions about volunteering and equip participants with strategies to attract, retain, and motivate today’s volunteers—from skilled community members to new generations seeking impacts.

Participants will learn how to:

  • Identify motivations and barriers unique to modern volunteers and design roles suited for diverse contributors
  • Build a culture of inclusion, mutual benefit, and advocacy that strengthens the library’s impact and community engagement.
  • Recognise and address the potential pitfalls and “dark sides” of volunteerism to safeguard positive, healthy engagement
  • Walk away with actionable tools, frameworks, and real-world examples from multiple countries and communities.

This session is suitable for library staff, community program leaders, and anyone interested in revitalizing volunteerism for community good.

Who should attend this workshop:

This session is suitable for library staff, community program leaders, and anyone interested in revitalizing volunteerism for community good.

Workshop Date:

Monday 11 May 2026 | 9:30am – 12:30pm

Workshop Cost:

$220 (ALIA members only)

Martin Cowling

Change Management Expert and Leadership Guru

Presenter Bio

Martin J. Cowling is a highly engaging and energetic speaker and facilitator with a wealth of experience as a consultant on leadership, change, community impact and volunteerism. Recognised as one of the top 100 speakers on philanthropy by Philanthropy 101, Martin’s mission is to equip leaders for lasting impact, firmly believing that people are the cornerstone of any organisation’s success.

He has worked with community organisations across the globe and was responsible for the team that developed the 2013 Charities Act and helped establish the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission. Martin has supported ALIA, local governments and individual libraries in leadership, change and impact.

Martin currently volunteers for cancer research, homelessness, and multiple sclerosis.