This interactive workshop invites museum professionals to rethink how volunteer programs are designed and how volunteers experience connection, ownership, and leadership within institutions.

Using Technology of Participation (ToP) facilitation methods, participants will begin with a focused conversation exploring the difference between transactional and transformational volunteer experiences. Through guided reflection and peer discussion, attendees will identify common barriers that prevent volunteers from developing deeper engagement with museums and cultural organizations.

Participants will then move into a collaborative consensus workshop focused on the question:

“How can museums create volunteer experiences that build ownership and long-term engagement?”

Working in small groups, attendees will brainstorm practical ideas, identify shared themes, and collectively develop strategies that can be adapted across museums of different sizes and disciplines. Discussions will include topics such as volunteer growth pathways, docent leadership, cross-department engagement, flexible and remote volunteer opportunities, and recognizing hidden volunteer skills.

Real-world examples from nonprofit, municipal, and museum volunteer programs will provide practical context throughout the session.

If chosen, I will bring in cofacilitators that are also trained in the TOPS facilitation techniques.