My Story
Over my life I have worked with, and alongside, several volunteer organisations.
Each one has been different. Different causes, different people, different ways of working.
But one observation has stayed the same every time.
Small actions and moments, repeated over time, have a lasting impact.
This year, I was asked once again to MC a breast cancer fundraising event. It was my small contribution to working alongside people who are committed to making a difference in the lives of others.
Money was raised, and the wider community really got behind the event, generously supporting it with prizes, giveaways, and donations. It was a great example of what can happen when people come together around a cause that matters.
What volunteers teach us
Volunteers rarely change everything on their own.
They show up. They do their part. Then they come back and do it again.
One person sets up the room. Another makes the phone calls. Someone else drives, cooks, counts, listens or cleans up afterwards.
On its own, each contribution can look small. Some of it is never seen at all.
But put together, those small parts serve something much bigger: the wider purpose of the organisation and the people it exists to help.
What strikes me most is not the size of the contribution. It is the heart behind it.
The belief that what they are doing matters. The passion that keeps them coming back. That is deeply motivating to be around, and it has an impact far beyond the task itself.
Everyone has something to offer
Volunteer organisations work because they make room for everyone’s contribution.
They do not wait for one person to do everything. They find what each person can give and connect it to the bigger purpose.
That is a lesson for every workplace and every team.
Too often, we look for impact in big projects and senior roles. Meanwhile, the steady contribution of many people goes unnoticed.
Yet those small, consistent actions are often what make a team, a business or a community work.
Purpose fuels contribution
One of the things I notice most in volunteers is that nobody needs to push them.
They are not there for a pay cheque or a promotion. They are there because they believe in what the organisation is trying to do. That belief turns small tasks into meaningful ones.
Workplaces can learn a great deal from this. When people understand the purpose behind their work, and can see how their part connects to it, motivation comes from the inside rather than being imposed from the outside.
Leaders do not need to manufacture that kind of commitment. They need to make the purpose clear, help people see where they fit, and recognise the contribution each person makes.
Key lesson
Lasting impact is rarely the result of one big moment. It is built from many small actions, offered consistently, by people who believe in the purpose.
When people can see how their part connects to something bigger, their contribution grows in meaning, and so does their commitment.
Practical application
Value the small contributions. Notice and acknowledge the people whose work happens quietly in the background.
Connect people to the purpose. Help each person see how their part serves something bigger.
Make room for contribution. Ask, “What could you bring to this?” rather than assuming who should help.
Show up consistently. Your small part, offered regularly, matters more than an occasional big effort.
Find your community. Look for a cause where your time and strengths could make a difference.
Three learnings
Small actions add up. What looks minor on its own can have a lasting impact over time.
Heart matters as much as effort. Belief and passion are what keep people contributing, and they inspire others to do the same.
Everyone has something to offer. Strong communities and teams make room for every person’s contribution.
Conclusion
The volunteers I have worked alongside have taught me that impact is not reserved for the few. It belongs to everyone who is willing to show up and play their part.
Whether in a charity, a workplace or a family, your small part matters. Offered with heart and repeated over time, it can make a difference that lasts.
This week, think about where you show up, and the small part you could offer.
Famous quote
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” — Desmond Tutu
Reach Out, and let's take time to discover how we can progress together.
Remember daily to, 'Find value in your influence.' Your voice matters, and I'm excited to hear from and work with you!"
