What if volunteers aren’t walking away — they’re just choosing a path that feels right for them?
In Episode 3 of Making a Ruckus, Tracey O’Neill explores the metaphor of Elephant Paths — 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.
Instead of seeing low recruitment conversion or disengagement as a sign that people don’t want to volunteer, Tracey reframes it: people are 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.
You’ll hear:
This episode will change how you understand disengagement.
It’s not apathy. It’s adaptation.
A quiet—but powerful—signal about where meaning and momentum truly live.
Stay bold. Stay curious. Keep making a ruckus.
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