Blog Post

The Katikkiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga, delivered a compelling keynote address to Rotarians on August 15, 2024, focusing on the "Effective Management of Volunteers."

His speech highlighted the significance of volunteerism in organizations like Rotary, which has a long-standing history of service, with over 1.4 million members contributing to community betterment worldwide.

The Katikkiro began by expressing his honor in addressing the Rotary Club on the critical subject of volunteer management, especially during a month dedicated to membership engagement and growth.

Introduction

Rotary, with over a century of impactful existence, has steadily grown its membership base, with members volunteering their time, resources, skills, and talents to serve humanity. The Katikkiro referenced a 2019 report by the John Hopkins Center for Civil Societies, which revealed that Rotary members contribute 46 million hours of volunteer work annually, valued at approximately $850 million. He emphasized that Africa and the Middle East, despite their smaller membership, rank second in volunteer work after Latin America, showcasing the dedication of these regions to community service.

The Katikkiro urged the Rotary District 9213 to consider generating empirical data on the economic value of its volunteer services, suggesting that this could motivate members to contribute more of their time once they understand the value of their volunteerism.

The Concept of Volunteering

The Katikkiro traced the history of volunteering back to the military, where civilians were mobilized to support the army in emergencies. However, he differentiated between coerced service and true volunteerism, which should be driven by choice, passion, and compassion without expecting monetary compensation. He praised Rotary members as a true example of a volunteer force, choosing to join Rotary freely and contribute to their clubs and communities.

He also shared his perspective on volunteering, emphasizing that members of any community have an obligation to contribute to the wellbeing and sustainability of that community. He explained that in the Kingdom of Buganda, subjects who contribute financially or through service are fulfilling their obligations to the Kingdom, rather than performing charity or voluntary acts. He emphasized that understanding this obligation is crucial for effective volunteer management.

Effective Volunteer Management

The Katikkiro outlined several key principles for effective volunteer management, based on his extensive experience in public service.

1. Clear Vision and Agenda:
   • He emphasized the importance of a well-defined vision, mission, and objectives for successful volunteer management. Volunteers must understand and appreciate the vision they are working towards, and leaders must be transparent and accountable. He shared his experience as Katikkiro, where he formulated a clear agenda for the Kingdom of Buganda, rallying people to join and support initiatives that have brought about positive change.
2. Transparency and Integrity:
   • Transparency and accountability are essential for attracting and retaining quality volunteers. The Katikkiro stressed that volunteers are more likely to engage deeply when they see that their contributions are valued and that leadership operates with integrity. He noted that lack of transparency can lead to disengagement or even withdrawal of volunteers.
3. Volunteer Policies:
   • The Katikkiro highlighted the importance of having a well-defined Volunteers Policy. He shared his experience in the Buganda Kingdom, where the introduction of a Volunteers Policy helped streamline volunteer efforts and ensured that only those committed to the Kingdom's vision were involved. He suggested that Rotary clubs could benefit from customizing their policies to align with the specific interests and nature of their volunteers.
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4. Planning and Communication:
   • Effective volunteer management requires careful planning and timely communication. The Katikkiro noted that volunteers often have busy schedules, and last-minute requests for their time can lead to conflicts and reduced participation. He emphasized the need for clear communication channels and regular feedback from volunteers to ensure that their efforts are supported, and their challenges addressed.
5. Appraisal, Motivation, and Rewards:
   • The Katikkiro stressed the importance of regular appraisals, motivation, and rewards for volunteers. Appraisals help managers identify strengths and weaknesses among volunteers, allowing for targeted support and improvement. He also highlighted the importance of motivating volunteers through communication, recognition, and providing the necessary tools and support for their tasks. Recognizing volunteers' efforts through rewards, such as certificates or plaques, can significantly boost their morale and encourage continued participation.

Conclusion

The Katikkiro concluded by reiterating that volunteers are the backbone of Rotary, and their service has contributed immensely to the many causes that Rotary supports. He emphasized that effective volunteer management requires segmentation based on members’ interests, making recruitment, monitoring, and motivation easier. He called on the Rotary leadership to involve all members in formulating programs that volunteers can implement effectively.

With a clear vision, planning, transparency, and focused implementation, the Katikkiro expressed confidence that Rotary clubs can continue to render selfless services for the betterment of humanity. He thanked the Rotary Club of Kitante for inviting him and ended his speech by saying:

Ssaabasajja Kabaka Awangaale!