Want to get involved in 2026? 5 resolutions for sustainable volunteering

December 08 2025

Volunteer resolutions

How to contribute this year without burning out

Every new year comes with good intentions. We want to move more, eat better, take better care of ourselves. In 2026, what if you added another dimension to your resolutions: your volunteer engagement.

At the Volunteer Bureau of Montreal (VBM), we see every week how volunteer actions, big or small, can change lives, strengthen organizations and build stronger neighbourhoods. Yet many people feel pressure, or simply do not know where to start.

Here are 5 simple and realistic resolutions to help you contribute this year, at your own pace and in line with your values.

1. Get clear on your intentions

“Why do I want to get involved this year?”

Before choosing an organization or an activity, take a moment to ask yourself a few questions:

What moves me the most
(social isolation, food insecurity, inclusion of newcomers, mental health, education, culture, etc.)
What do I want to share
(time, professional skills, listening, creativity)
What kind of experience am I hoping for
(meeting new people, feeling useful, learning, breaking my own isolation)

Writing down a few lines in a notebook or on your phone is enough. This short reflection will help you find a type of engagement that truly makes sense for you, instead of saying “yes” by reflex and feeling stuck later.

VBM tip : Our team can help you clarify what motivates you and guide you toward volunteer opportunities that match your values and your situation.

2. Choose a realistic, honest level of commitment

Resolution number two: say yes, but say a real yes. That means taking your actual life into account:
How much time do you really have each month
Do you have busy periods (work, school, family)
Do you prefer a one-time or ongoing activity
Are you comfortable committing only for a few months

It is much better to volunteer one afternoon a month and stick to it, than to promise every Saturday and have to quit after three weeks. Organizations know that a reliable presence, even a modest one, is incredibly valuable.

VBM tip : On our website, many opportunities already mention the expected frequency. And if you contact us directly, you can name your limits from the start, so we can help find the right match.

3. Take care of yourself so you can care for others

Volunteering is not a performance. It should not become a source of guilt or exhaustion. In 2026, give yourself permission to:

Say that you are tired or less available
Name your emotional limits
End an engagement respectfully, when it no longer works for you
Ask the volunteer coordinator for support

Healthy volunteering considers both the volunteer and the person being helped. If you are exhausted, you cannot offer the best of yourself. Taking care of your own well-being also protects the quality of your contribution.

VBM tip : If you experience something difficult in your volunteering, you can reach out to us. We can help you think it through, make adjustments or explore a different type of involvement.

4. Turn your volunteering into a learning journey

Learning is not just for paid work. Your volunteer experience can be a powerful learning space:

New skills: welcoming people, communication, facilitation, admin support, teamwork
Better understanding of social realities in Montreal
Personal growth: patience, listening, organization, confidence

Many organizations, including the VBM, offer trainings and workshops on volunteer management, welcoming vulnerable people, intercultural communication, and more. Even if you are not a manager, these learning opportunities can enrich your experience and often your professional path.

VBM tip : Follow our newsletters and social media to discover trainings and activities for volunteers and volunteer managers. Saying “yes” to one learning opportunity per year is already a great resolution.

5. Use volunteering to strengthen community ties

Finally, this year you can choose to make your volunteering a way to weave stronger community bonds:

Talk about your experience with people around you
(without sharing confidential information)
Invite a friend, neighbour or colleague to discover volunteering
Share posts from the organizations you support
Take part in local community events
Thank staff members and fellow volunteers you work with

Volunteering is not just “lending a hand”. It is also about being part of a living fabric of organizations, neighbourhoods and solidarity networks. Every gesture counts, whether it is an evening fundraiser, translation work, home visits or a reassuring phone call.

VBM tip :On CABM.net, you can explore a wide range of volunteer opportunities in Montreal and discover the diversity of organizations that make up our community.