#HeartWork: Devanand Ramasandara

Reflecting on his journey, Mr Devanand Ramasandara, Volunteer Manager, Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA), traces back to a series of interconnected moments and experiences that led him to his role.

With a background spanning industries like oil and gas and food and beverage, Volunteer Management wasn't a predetermined path for him. However, a call in September 2020 from a good friend alerted him to the opportunity at SANA, kickstarting his journey in the social service sector.

Leading volunteers through a pandemic

The onset of the pandemic presented immediate challenges, halting volunteering deployments and forcing a shift to remote work for both volunteers and staff. Devanand had to pivot quickly, finding creative ways to engage volunteers while meeting the needs of SANA's clients. Despite these obstacles, he navigated recruitment and retention difficulties post-pandemic, emphasising proactive problem-solving and effective communication to sustain a vibrant volunteer community.

“I was faced with various challenges at the beginning itself. To begin with, it was during the thick of the pandemic, and all our volunteering deployments were at a standstill. This was also the time when most of our volunteers were looking for volunteering opportunities as they were mainly working from home. I was working from home and had to deliberate on creative ways to engage our volunteers. However, with guidance from the management, we were able to deploy some of our trained volunteers to engage our clients through phone calls. Right after the pandemic, I was faced with various challenges, ranging from recruitment and retention difficulties to ensuring adequate training and support for volunteers. Understanding the change post-pandemic and finding workable solutions to accommodate our volunteers as well as meeting the needs of our clients were key to sustaining a vibrant volunteer community at SANA now,” shared Devanand.

Management and board support at SANA

Acknowledging the integral role of volunteers, both the management and board of SANA actively support Volunteer Management efforts. They have achieved this by consistently providing resources, guidance, and support.

“Volunteers form an integral component of SANA’s strategic plans, demonstrating a commitment to fostering a culture of volunteerism within the organisation and recognising the vital role that volunteers play in achieving its mission,” shared Devanand.

Strategies to enhance the volunteer experience

Devanand (Right) conducting the Onboarding Session for the new SANA Kakis

To enhance the volunteer experience, Devanand conducts regular check-ins, soliciting feedback and fostering a sense of belonging among volunteers. Under his leadership, SANA implemented various volunteer initiatives, including the SANA Kakis (Befrienders) programme.

“The past three years have been a very fruitful journey as a Volunteer Manager with SANA. Plenty of volunteer initiatives were rolled out, such as the SANA Kakis (Befrienders), Step-Up Volunteers, a comprehensive Volunteer Management framework with recorded policies and procedures, and an Integrated Volunteer Management System,” shared Devanand.

Devanand (Centre) having Kopi with SANA Kakis during the quarterly Kopi with Kaki Session

The SANA Kakis programme, initiated during the pandemic, has grown significantly, engaging, and guiding hundreds of individuals in recovery each year.

“What was started off as a pilot with 3 senior volunteers has now grown to over 30 fully trained and dedicated SANA Kakis, who engage and guide hundreds of persons in recovery a year, integrating them back into the community,” continued Devanand.

Furthermore, Devanand led the initiative to create a comprehensive Volunteer Management System that streamlined volunteer data management, facilitated the creation of volunteering opportunities, and allowed for programme customisation. This integrated system was designed to optimise processes and enhance overall efficiency.

“It is a system that not only houses volunteers’ data and creates volunteering opportunities but also is customised to increase the efficiency of the Volunteer Management work processes in other areas such as computation of volunteering hours, recognition, feedback session and most importantly customised modules for SANA’s volunteer programmes,” shared Devanand.

Essential qualities for aspiring volunteer managers

For those aspiring to become Volunteer Managers, Devanand underscores the importance of relationship-building, effective communication, and adaptability. Genuine passion for the organisation's mission, along with a commitment to continuous improvement, are essential for success in this role.

Devanand (First row, third from left) and SANA volunteers in a triumphant mood after successfully assembling and connecting four paper bridges during SANA Volunteer Retreat 2023

“A Volunteer Manager should inspire and motivate others and have a genuine passion for the organisation's mission. These are crucial for success in this role. Additionally, staying open to feedback and continuously seeking ways to improve the volunteer experience and volunteer processes will contribute to sustained success,” shared Devanand.

Devanand's journey exemplifies the transformative impact of dedicated Volunteer Management, driving positive change within SANA and empowering volunteers to make a meaningful difference in the community. Through his leadership, he continues to nurture a thriving volunteer community, grounded in compassion, collaboration, and collective impact.