Volunteer NH has been a keystone for civic engagement and community building across New Hampshire through volunteerism. As the state’s National Service Commission, the organization collaborates with the governor’s office to manage federal funds, support volunteer programs, and connect individuals with meaningful service opportunities.
But beyond fostering volunteerism, Volunteer NH has embarked on a journey toward justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI), ensuring that all Granite Staters find space within the service sector.
Integrating justice as a core value
Volunteer NH aligns with the America’s Service Commissions (ASC) in its commitment to JEDI principles — emphasizing justice at the forefront. While diversity, equity and inclusion are essential to fostering equitable communities, Volunteer NH prioritizes justice as the foundation for addressing the root causes of inequality.
This focus on justice, says Ally Snell, cochair of Volunteer NH’s Board of Directors, is a reminder of the importance of transformative change over quick fixes.
The organization’s shift toward JEDI began with the national reckoning around racial justice in 2020. Realizing the importance of reflecting New Hampshire’s diversity, Volunteer NH re-evaluated its board and programs to be more inclusive.
“Our board was mostly composed of white individuals with the time and capacity to serve,” Snell recalls. “We wanted to create a space that would be genuinely welcoming and inclusive for diverse perspectives.”
Creating a foundation of inclusion
Before expanding the board, Volunteer NH invested in building a foundational understanding of JEDI principles across staff and board members. “We spent time developing a shared vocabulary and attending workshops on these concepts,” Snell says.
The team then crafted a strategic JEDI plan in 2020, guiding the organization’s journey toward inclusivity. However, Snell emphasizes that the plan is only as effective as its implementation: “It’s about recognizing who we’re not reaching, what we’re not doing, and where we can make the most impact.”
A constant self-assessment of Volunteer NH’s grant opportunities, partnerships, and outreach became crucial to advancing diversity. Snell underscores this with a series of reflective questions: “Who are we advertising to? Who’s involved in the selection process? What biases come up?”
The path forward lies in uncovering and addressing these questions, ensuring that Volunteer NH’s programs and decisions include diverse communities and perspectives.
Building meaningful connections
Rather than rushing to diversify its board, Volunteer NH prioritized relationship-building with underrepresented communities. “We wanted to avoid tokenizing people,” Snell says. Through trusted connections, the organization hired community consultants from various backgrounds to advise on expanding grant access.
One consultant, MaeAnna Edwards, highlighted the goal of reaching beyond southern New Hampshire to ensure recognition of communities in the North Country. Another, Victoria Carrington Chávez, emphasized the importance of including narratives of volunteerism across diverse identities.
For Snell, recognizing consultants’ contributions through fair compensation was vital.
“Engaging with marginalized communities involves emotional labor, so we made sure to pay our consultants above market rate, acknowledging their expertise and lived experiences,” she says. This commitment to reciprocity and fair compensation underscores the organization’s dedication to making participation accessible and equitable.
Expanding access to volunteerism
Beyond its boardroom, Volunteer NH has worked to make volunteerism accessible to all. Recognizing barriers like time, economic constraints, and lack of childcare, the organization expanded its platform to make it easier for Granite Staters of diverse backgrounds to participate.
The rise of virtual volunteerism has also broadened participation options. “From reviewing grants to communications, many activities embody the spirit of volunteerism,” Snell says. She notes that even everyday acts like mentoring colleagues, supporting the PTA, or cleaning public spaces can contribute to civic engagement and community building.
JEDI: An ongoing commitment
As Volunteer NH advances in its JEDI journey, Snell acknowledges there’s more to be done. “We’re not where we want to be yet, but we approach this work with humility and a commitment to learning,” she says.
Volunteer NH’s focus on internal growth and community partnerships provides a model for other organizations in New Hampshire, emphasizing that true inclusivity is about long-term, sustainable change that serves everyone.
In this journey, Volunteer NH illustrates that genuine inclusivity isn’t achieved overnight but through steady, intentional efforts.
Carlota Almeida is a seasoned communications professional with a natural talent for copywriting. Her career began in public relations, but she quickly found her niche in digital marketing, where her passion for storytelling thrives. She has BA in media and communications and experience spanning Europe and the United States.
