Volunteers are crucial to any successful fundraiser. That’s why it is important that everyone work well together and remember the goal is more important than any one individual. When working with different personalities, management styles and the various abilities that volunteers bring to the group, clashes are inevitable. What do you do when one of your volunteers is not doing the job or causing problems with the rest of your group? Here are a few suggestions on managing those more challenging volunteers.
Keep in mind that anytime you assemble a group, you’ll likely find one or two who will take on a 
dominant stance. We all have different personalities and bring different skills to the table. Sometimes problems arise because of lack of understanding. You need to make sure all of your volunteers know what they need to do, how to accomplish their task, and why it’s crucial they get along with the rest of the group. You may find a particular volunteer has a different notion of why they are there and how things should be done. Some volunteers simply do not possess the ability to fulfill their commitment, even though they seem eager to help at the onset.
Ignoring the problem is not the answer, because these situations usually require that someone in leadership step up and take charge. If you don’t, people may drift from the mission or task at hand. On the other hand, it’s not your job to resolve those deep-seated personality issues that can derail a fundraising effort. Firing a volunteer should always be a last resort, but if you have to ask someone to step down, remember it’s for the good of the other volunteers who want to be involved and engaged with the effort.
Here are some steps you can take to help rectify the situation.
Deal directly with the disruptive volunteer. Arrange a private conversation with the person and seek a resolution. Be sure to give your volunteer the opportunity to work with you to solve the problem.
Be polite but firm when corrective measures are required. Establish goals and a timeline to correct the problem. And, make sure you follow up. If the person has turned the situation around and changed their attitude, make sure you let them know you recognize what they have done and that you appreciate it.
Sometimes, you have to ask a volunteer to step down and the participants in the organization will look to you for leadership. Remember that teamwork is the key to any successful fundraiser. If your volunteers don’t get along or aren’t doing the job, you risk not achieving your goal.
It’s never an easy task to dismiss someone who genuinely wants to help the cause. Take care to soften the blow and ensure you have allowed sufficient time for the individual to come to terms with your decision. Lastly, a genuine smile will often diffuse hard feelings, along with a pat on the back. Always be generous with your praise.