<p>What if volunteers aren’t walking away — they’re just choosing a path that feels right for them?</p><p>In Episode 3 of <strong>Making a Ruckus</strong>, Tracey O’Neill explores the metaphor of <strong>Elephant Paths</strong> — those natural shortcuts peoplecarve when the “official path” just doesn’t make sense for them. And what these paths tell us about volunteer behaviour today.</p><p>Instead of seeing low recruitment conversion or disengagement as a sign that people don’t want to volunteer, Tracey reframes it: people <em>are</em> volunteering — they’re just stepping around the hoops, delays, and rigid processes. They’re choosing paths that feel intuitive, meaningful, flexible — paths that fit with their real life.</p><p>You’ll hear:</p><ul><li>Why many people start the journey to volunteer…and then step away</li><li>How delays, friction, rigid processes andmisaligned roles shape these “paths”</li><li>Why informal volunteering isn’t competition —it’s communication</li><li>How Elephant Paths mirror Aboriginal Songlinesand the ancient wisdom of following meaning, not control</li><li>How you can “read the map” volunteers arealready drawing — and design systems people <em>want</em> to walk</li></ul><p><br></p><p>This episode will change how you understand disengagement.<br>It’s not apathy. It’s adaptation.<br>A quiet—but powerful—signal about where meaning and momentum truly live.</p><p><strong>Stay bold. Stay curious. Keep making a ruckus.</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Mentioned:</strong></p><ul><li>Tracey&#39;s LinkedIn article on Elephant Paths: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-volunteers-tread-own-path-tracey-o-neill-cva-ke01c/">https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-volunteers-tread-own-path-tracey-o-neill-cva-ke01c/</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect:</strong></p><ul><li>Learn more: <a href="https://www.traceyoneillconsulting.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">www.traceyoneillconsulting.com.au</a></li><li>Join the conversation on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceyoneillcva/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">@traceyoneillcva</a></li><li>Follow on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tracey.oneill.cva/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">@tracey.oneill.cva</a></li><li>Follow on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578939917786" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Tracey O&#39;Neill Consulting</a></li></ul>

Making a Ruckus

Tracey O'Neill

Elephant Paths: Why Volunteers are Choosing Their Own Way

NOV 18, 202518 MIN
Making a Ruckus

Elephant Paths: Why Volunteers are Choosing Their Own Way

NOV 18, 202518 MIN

Description

<p>What if volunteers aren’t walking away — they’re just choosing a path that feels right for them?</p><p>In Episode 3 of <strong>Making a Ruckus</strong>, Tracey O’Neill explores the metaphor of <strong>Elephant Paths</strong> — those natural shortcuts peoplecarve when the “official path” just doesn’t make sense for them. And what these paths tell us about volunteer behaviour today.</p><p>Instead of seeing low recruitment conversion or disengagement as a sign that people don’t want to volunteer, Tracey reframes it: people <em>are</em> volunteering — they’re just stepping around the hoops, delays, and rigid processes. They’re choosing paths that feel intuitive, meaningful, flexible — paths that fit with their real life.</p><p>You’ll hear:</p><ul><li>Why many people start the journey to volunteer…and then step away</li><li>How delays, friction, rigid processes andmisaligned roles shape these “paths”</li><li>Why informal volunteering isn’t competition —it’s communication</li><li>How Elephant Paths mirror Aboriginal Songlinesand the ancient wisdom of following meaning, not control</li><li>How you can “read the map” volunteers arealready drawing — and design systems people <em>want</em> to walk</li></ul><p><br></p><p>This episode will change how you understand disengagement.<br>It’s not apathy. It’s adaptation.<br>A quiet—but powerful—signal about where meaning and momentum truly live.</p><p><strong>Stay bold. Stay curious. Keep making a ruckus.</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Mentioned:</strong></p><ul><li>Tracey&#39;s LinkedIn article on Elephant Paths: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-volunteers-tread-own-path-tracey-o-neill-cva-ke01c/">https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-volunteers-tread-own-path-tracey-o-neill-cva-ke01c/</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect:</strong></p><ul><li>Learn more: <a href="https://www.traceyoneillconsulting.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">www.traceyoneillconsulting.com.au</a></li><li>Join the conversation on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceyoneillcva/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">@traceyoneillcva</a></li><li>Follow on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tracey.oneill.cva/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">@tracey.oneill.cva</a></li><li>Follow on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578939917786" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Tracey O&#39;Neill Consulting</a></li></ul>