Pasco County podcast highlights volunteer management challenges: communication, recognition and grassroots innovation

Mike Carballa, host of the Pasco County podcast, used the show’s 50th episode during National Volunteer Week to talk with Sarah Sukram, Pasco County Volunteer Services Manager, about leadership challenges in volunteer management. "There's quite a few unique challenges that come with volunteer management as a whole," Sukram said.

Sukram said two recurring issues are communication and recognition. On communication, she told the podcast that volunteers “don't have teams” or shared office systems such as Outlook, which makes it harder to push event updates or policy changes. Sukram said tailoring outreach to volunteers' preferences — from face-to-face contact for older volunteers to email or newsletters for some younger volunteers — is important so messages reach community members who often amplify county services to neighbors.

Recognition, Sukram said, is vital because volunteers are unpaid and many give substantial time: "I know some volunteers that show up five days a week, you know, just like an employee would," she said. Sukram described small, personal gestures she uses to show appreciation: "One of the things I'm known for is my Post it notes," she said, explaining she sometimes leaves a short, personal note for a returning volunteer.

The conversation also highlighted how volunteers can bring innovation and practical problem-solving to county services. Sukram described a husband-and-wife team on the east side of the county that runs a hydroponic farm and donates "upwards of 300 heads of lettuce a week" to the 1 Stop Shop Dade City food pantry in coordination with Cooperative Extension. The couple also supplies simple recipe cards stapled to donation bags so recipients know how to use unfamiliar produce, Sukram said.

Sukram noted volunteers’ schedules vary widely — some work full time and volunteer on weekends; she gave the example of a volunteer who is a flight attendant and "answers emails at like 2 a.m.," which affects when staff can expect replies.

Carballa closed by directing listeners to the full episode: "If you haven't seen our full episode of this month's podcast, visit mypasscode.net or stream the latest episode wherever you get your podcasts," he said.

The podcast discussion focused on management practices and examples; it did not include any formal actions, votes, or policy changes by the county during the segment.