This is a great topic! In answer to the questions posed…

1. Working in a People department (that’s everything related to both volunteers and employees), I need to be on top of the big issues in volunteering and consistent about advocating for volunteers, because it can be tempting for others not used to volunteering to prioritise the paid employee work. (I also need to learn more about HR / employee management, to work with others in my department.)
2. To develop, I would say it’s important to be open to anything which helps you learn or inspires you, as it can come from unexpected places. (I’m going to give a shout-out to the West Wing Weekly podcast here — http://thewestwingweekly.com/ — and the 1.10 Memorial Day special episode about Justice for Vets, which involves volunteers in its work.) Networks via social media and real life are also critical, and in some recent tough times, Heritage Volunteer Organisers Scotland network meetings have been a lifeline in reminding me that volunteer management matters :-)
3. I think it’s critical volunteer managers keep an 'open door' policy and work together to support each other. Last year, I gave a helping hand to a local organisation about to set up a volunteer programme similar to the one we’ve run successfully for decades, and this year I want to work closer with another organisation where we share land and buildings on a joint volunteer programme.

Amy :-)