Individuals who coordinate volunteer-based and nonprofit organizations wear multiple hats. Often, leading volunteers is not the only responsibility of a volunteer administrator in these organizations (Fisher & Cole, 1993). Volunteers can participate in education and training that prepares them to accept leadership responsibility within the organization (Fisher & Cole, 1993). However, research indicates that volunteer leadership is an underused resource in nonprofit organizations (Cooperation, 2007).

Volunteer-based organizations play an integral role in the success of the population and in the communities they serve. These organizations would not be successful agents of change without the hard work and dedication of volunteers. This is why volunteer organizations continue to allocate their limited resources to train these essential volunteer leaders.