How to Resign from a Volunteer Position: Tips and Examples

A resignation letter states your intention to leave your position and allows the organization to plan for your absence. A well-written letter will help maintain positive relationships with fellow volunteers and supervisors, who could serve as valuable references later. Learning what to include and how to write a resignation letter can help you create a clear and sincere document. In this article, we explain how to write a letter of resignation for a volunteer position and provide examples.

Image description

Resignation Letter Format

"Resignation Letter Format" is the title of this infographic that shows an image of an example resignation letter.

On the left side of the infographic, a list points to each section of the email:

1. Date

2. Address line

3. Statement of resignation

4. Last day of work

5. Statement of gratitude

6. Next steps

7. Closing and signature

The resignation letter reads:

[Date]

Dear Mr./Mrs. [Your supervisor's last name],

Please accept this as my formal resignation from XYZ company. My last day will be [insert your final day of work], two weeks from today. I am grateful for all of your support during my time here and deeply appreciate all of the valuable experiences I have gained. It has been a sincere pleasure working with you and the team.

Please let me know how I can help during this transition and make it as smooth as possible. I wish you all the best.

Best wishes, and thank you for everything, [Your name]

Why you should write a resignation letter for a volunteer position

If you regularly volunteer with a particular organization, treat the position as professionally as you would if it were a paid job. The organization you volunteer for most likely depends on your time and effort to ensure it continues to function smoothly. Informing your supervisor or volunteer coordinator that you intend to leave is a courtesy that can help them quickly fill your position. A resignation letter also enables you to keep an open connection with fellow volunteers and managers, which could expand your professional network.

Read more: How to Write a Resignation Letter (With Samples and Tips)

Volunteer resignation letter tips

Try to provide two weeks’ notice when writing your letter of resignation for a volunteer position. You may volunteer with a future coworker, employer or client, so leaving a good impression can be beneficial for your career path. Additionally, fellow volunteers may be able to act as a reference or write you a recommendation letter if you need one. Here are some items that you can include in your letter to ensure it’s professional and positive:

Express gratitude

Although you did not receive payment for your time, you probably learned valuable skills during your time spent volunteering. You should thank the organization for the opportunity to volunteer with them. You can also write about specific experiences you enjoyed and mention new skills you may have acquired that will help you in your professional endeavors.

Explain why you are leaving

You can explain why you are leaving your position in the body of your letter. You may need to stop volunteering because of a more time-consuming job, relocation or school commitments. Explaining your reason for leaving can give your letter more context.

Share your plans and stay in touch

If you believe you may be able to return to your volunteer position in the future, write a sentence or two that explains your situation. For example, if you are unable to volunteer during the school year but will be available during the summer months, mention that you plan to contact them once your break begins. Include your contact information so they can reach you if an opportunity arises.

Show that you plan to stay involved

Usually, volunteers choose causes they are passionate about. If you would like to stay involved in some capacity, state your intention. For example, you might be interested in attending an annual event, or you could raise awareness about their cause. Expressing your desire to stay involved in the organization can help you maintain a positive relationship with your manager and other volunteers.

Offer to help with the transition

Just as you should a paid position, offering to help with the transition period is a courteous gesture. You can write that you plan to finish any ongoing projects or help find a suitable replacement. Try to meet with your supervisor before you leave to plan the next steps in detail.

Say goodbye to other volunteers

After you have notified your supervisor, announce your departure to other volunteers. Remember that you share a cause and that common interest could lead to other joint opportunities, including paid ones. Include details such as experiences you’ve enjoyed together and express an interest in staying in touch.

Volunteer resignation letter example

Here is an example of a volunteer resignation letter that you can use to help you write your own:

Junot Benzema

City Glass Museum
5678 1st Ave.
Dade City, Florida 33523

July 1, 2019

Dear Mr. Benzema,

I am writing to let you know that I will be resigning from my position as volunteer docent at City Glass Museum. My resignation is effective two weeks from this date.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my three years volunteering with this organization. I appreciate the warm friendships with like-minded artists and the opportunity to share our passion for this art form with the public. I especially enjoyed volunteering during the annual Christmas Fair, which allowed me to showcase some of my own work.

I am sad to leave this organization, but I look forward to this new chapter in my life: pursuing a master’s degree. I will continue to follow the museum’s progress on social media and plan to attend as many events as possible. I will also be available to volunteer occasionally during school holidays and semester breaks. You can contact me at 334-768-9355 or mbnrj@gmail.com.

Thank you again for three wonderful years, and I look forward to following the museum’s progress.

Sincerely,
Malaika Banerjee

Volunteer email resignation example

Depending on the circumstances, you may need to email your resignation notice. Here is a simple email resignation for a volunteer position:

Subject: Trevor Smith—Resignation Effective September 12

Dear Luca,

I am writing to let you know that I will be resigning from my volunteering position as docent, effective September 12, 2019. I have enjoyed my time at the Hamilton Center of Performing Arts, and I am grateful for all the opportunities for fine entertainment that I experienced. However, I have accepted my first full-time opportunity as a travel coordinator and cannot continue to meet my volunteer commitments.

You helped me develop my time-management skills, which will help me greatly in my new role. Thank you so much for your guidance during my time at Hamilton Center.

I would be happy to help during special events and occasional weekends. If you need an additional volunteer during those times, please call me at 231-083-2675. Thank you for two wonderful years, and I look forward to staying in touch.

Sincerely,
Trevor Smith