Volunteering Comes in Many Forms – Just Ask Judene

Nelson Tasman Hospice is famously blessed with hundreds of dedicated volunteers who play an essential role as part of the team. We have a wide variety of over 40 different roles including retail, gardening, equipment delivery, patient facing roles and running our onsite Mānuka Café. We know that people volunteer for a variety of reasons. Some have had a personal connection and want to give something back; others want to be involved in a cause that interests them; others want to meet people and feel more involved in the community.

An increasing number of people are choosing to volunteer outside of what might be seen as “traditional” volunteering roles. People that may not be able to commit to a set number of hours on a regular basis but that still want to offer their time and expertise to support a cause dear to their heart.

We recently sat down with Judene Edgar of Encompass Strategic Services to ask her about project-based volunteering after she recently undertook the discovery phase of our Volunteer Review, in a voluntary capacity.

Judene is a Principal Governance Advisor with the Institute of Directors’ Governance Leadership Centre providing best practice advice, guidance, advocacy and research for directors. She has run her own consultancy for over 20 years, and her governance experience includes being Deputy Mayor of Nelson City Council, Director of Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology Ltd, a three-term Tasman District Councillor, a director of Nelson Airport Ltd and a trustee of Network Tasman Trust, Nelson Historic Theatre Trust and the Rātā Foundation.

We asked Judene what drives her to give her time and expertise to causes like Nelson Tasman Hospice.

“For me, it’s about giving back in the way that I can. I may not always be able to give as much financially as I may want to, but I can give time and skills that have value. If I can help save an organisation money by using my professional experience, that’s a meaningful contribution.”

Judene has always had a spirit of generosity, whether it’s donating household items to charity, volunteering on their boards, running fundraising activities and events or supporting organisations with her strategic expertise. Volunteering, she says, doesn’t have to look one particular way.

“Because I work full-time and sit on several boards, I don’t always have time to commit to a regular volunteer shift. But a project that I can manage around my own schedule—at 11pm or 2am if needs be—makes it possible for me to contribute in a way that works for me and them.”

Judene brought that mindset to her recent work with the Hospice, volunteering over 60 hours to lead the discovery phase of our Volunteer Review. With years of experience working with and as a volunteer, she understands both the qualitative and quantitative value volunteers bring.

“I always encourage organisations to consider: if these volunteers weren’t here, what would it actually cost to run this project or service? It helps people appreciate just how much value—financially and otherwise—volunteers add.”

We asked Judene about how volunteering is changing, and how organisations can better engage professionals in non-traditional roles.

“Being specific is key,” she says. “Don’t just say you’re looking for volunteers—define the project, the expectations, and the kind of skills you need. That helps people imagine themselves in the role. If you tell me you need a retail volunteer, I know that isn’t something that’s right for me. But if you’re looking for someone with a policy or governance background to work on a specific project, that’s something I can seriously consider.”

Judene also spoke about the evolving nature of volunteer motivations over a lifetime.

“When you’re younger, volunteering often revolves around your kids—PTAs, sports teams, youth groups. As we get older, we might look for skill-based roles or causes we’re passionate about. Some people volunteer to stay socially connected, others to stay mentally or physically active. There’s no one-size-fits-all motivation.”

However, she emphasises that just because someone has a professional skill, that doesn’t mean they’ll want to use it in a volunteer role.

“If you’re an accountant, you might not want to do accounting in your spare time. Maybe you’re passionate about woodworking or the arts instead. Volunteering can be a great way to explore different interests or rediscover old passions.”

And her advice for anyone considering project-based or skills-based volunteering?

“Think about how much time you really have and what you’d enjoy doing. Try something small – volunteer for one event, or one project. You might find something you love. And remember, we all have different skills, and we’re not one-dimensional. Volunteering can be a chance to explore parts of yourself you haven’t used in a while.”

Judene ended our conversation with a simple reminder:

“If you ever feel disheartened by the world, go volunteer. You’ll meet incredible people doing amazing things. You always get more back than you give.”