From Volunteer to Leader: The Lampkin Foundation Pathway

Leadership Is Learned by Showing Up

Every program needs a hero behind the clipboard. At the D’Andre D. Lampkin Foundation, leadership isn’t a title—it’s a journey that begins with one small “yes.” Show up once, shadow a teammate, take on a tiny role, and—before you know it—you’re the person others count on.

This post highlights how first-time volunteers become trusted organizers, mentors, and project leads. And it shows how monthly donors keep that pathway open for the next wave of neighbors ready to serve.

Why it matters: When volunteers grow into leaders, programs scale, youth thrive, and communities get safer—fast.

The Pathway at a Glance

Orientation → Shadowing → First Lead Role → Ongoing Coaching → Train the Next Volunteer

• Orientation (60 minutes): Mission, values, youth-safe practices, and a quick overview of events and roles.
• Shadowing (1–2 shifts): Learn by doing alongside an experienced lead—no pressure, lots of support.
• First Lead Role: Start small (check-in desk, hospitality, or activity station) with a clear checklist.
• Ongoing Coaching: Short pre-briefs and debriefs that build confidence and skills every shift.
• Train the Next: Turn your experience into mentorship so the pathway never bottlenecks.

Powered by monthly donors: Training materials, badges/shirts, background checks, youth-safe supplies, and leadership micro-trainings are funded by recurring gifts—so volunteers never wait on resources to step up.

Three Journeys, One Community

Jordan — Student → Safety Workshop Facilitator

“Public speaking terrified me. Shadowing one workshop changed that. My coach broke it into parts—greet, share one story, ask one question. By the third session, I was facilitating.”

• Start: Signed up for orientation after attending a park event
• Shadowed: 2 youth safety workshops
• First lead role: Co-facilitator for the opening icebreaker & Q&A
• Skills gained: Public speaking, group facilitation, youth engagement
• Impact so far: 7 workshops supported • 180 youth reached • 20 student leaders recruited
• What’s next: Jordan mentors two new volunteers each quarter

Denise — Parent → Scholarship Reviewer & Mentor

“As a mom, I wanted young people to feel seen. Reading scholarship essays opened my eyes—and mentoring kept me going. Watching them find their voice is everything.”

• Start: Helped at check-in for a Foundation info night
• Shadowed: Scholarship review training session
• First lead role: Reviewer on a 3-person panel
• Skills gained: Rubric scoring, bias checks, mentorship planning
• Impact so far: 14 essays reviewed • 2 students mentored through senior year • 1 college persistence mini-grant coordinated
• What’s next: Denise co-leads annual reviewer training

Marcos — Retiree → Logistics Captain (Parks Events)

“I thought I’d move cones and go home. Turns out I’m good at run-of-show. Now I build site maps, recruit ushers, and make sure families feel welcome from the parking lot to the stage.”

• Start: Hospitality volunteer at a weekend park event
• Shadowed: Event lead on site layout & run-of-show
• First lead role: Logistics point for setup/teardown
• Skills gained: Site mapping, radio etiquette, volunteer coaching
• Impact so far: 9 events supported • Average setup time down 25% • 3 new logistics leads trained
• What’s next: Marcos created a plug-and-play checklist other sites now use

Powered by monthly donors: Training materials, badges/shirts, youth-safe supplies, and mini-trainings make these journeys possible—month after month.

What Volunteers Receive (and Why It Matters)

• Transferable skills: Event operations, youth engagement, facilitation, communications.
• Belonging: A team that celebrates wins and learns together.
• Support: Clear checklists, radio etiquette, de-escalation pointers, and quick debriefs.
• Growth path: Micro-roles that build confidence until “I’ll help” becomes “I’ve got this.”

“Leadership didn’t appear one day—I practiced it. The Foundation gave me safe reps.”

Simple, Measurable Outcomes

(Update numbers with your latest internal data before publishing.)

• Volunteer retention: +18% after adding shadowing + debriefs.
• Youth reach: 1,200+ youth engaged via workshops and park programs (last 12 months).
• Capacity built: 30 volunteers advanced into lead roles; each with a trained backup.
• Event efficiency: Average park-event setup time reduced by 25%.

Donor Impact (Monthly Tiers)

• $15/month — Onboards one new volunteer with training materials and badge.
• $35/month — Funds youth-safe supplies for a workshop or park activity.
• $75/month — Supports a leadership micro-training for emerging volunteer leads.
• $150/month — Equips a full event team (checklists, radios, signage, hospitality).

Keep the Pathway Open

Recurring gifts keep trainings scheduled, supplies stocked, and volunteers ready to lead.

FAQs

I’ve never volunteered before. Where should I start?
Sign up for Orientation and shadow one shift. We’ll help you choose a small first role you’ll enjoy.

Can I volunteer with my teen?
Yes. Many events welcome family teams. We’ll place you both in age-appropriate roles with a clear plan.

What if I have limited time?
Pick low-commitment roles (check-in, hospitality) and grow if/when you’re ready.

Do I need special skills or training?
No. We provide checklists, quick huddles, and on-the-job coaching. Safety and inclusion come first.

How often do I need to volunteer?
Even one shift a month makes a difference. Some leads serve quarterly—consistency matters more than volume.

Can my company or group volunteer together?
Absolutely. We host group service days and can tailor roles to your team’s strengths.

Is there a background check?
For certain roles (especially youth-facing), yes. We’ll guide you through it.

Useful Links

• Become a Monthly Donor → /donate
• Volunteer Sign-Up → /volunteer
• Youth Scholarship Programs → /social-good-scholarship-program
• Events Calendar → /events
• Contact Us → /Contact