At Royal Roads, teamwork is fundamental to our approach to learning, teaching, and research. Proficiency in teamwork skills is vital for all students, underpinning successful collaboration across academic projects, extracurricular activities, and professional or volunteer pursuits.

Teamwork skills are central in a volunteer setting for several reasons:

  • Achieving Common Goals: In volunteering, individuals unite for a shared cause. Effective teamwork ensures alignment and collaboration towards objectives.
  • Leveraging Diverse Skills: Volunteers bring varied backgrounds and skills. Strong teamwork maximizes the impact by pooling these resources.
  • Division of Labour: Tasks in volunteer projects require efficient distribution. Effective teamwork allows for assigning responsibilities based on strengths.
  • Support and Motivation: Volunteering can be challenging, but teamwork provides emotional support and encouragement during tough times.
  • Learning and Growth: Collaboration offers opportunities for skill development and knowledge sharing among volunteers, fostering continuous growth.
  • Increased Impact: A well-functioning team achieves greater impact collectively than individually by leveraging each member's strengths.
  • Building Relationships: Effective teamwork fosters fellowship, leading to lasting friendships and professional connections beyond the project.

RRU Teamwork Competencies and Skills Framework

teamwork skills and competencies outlined in a circle

As part of your academic coursework, you will have used the Royal Roads Teamwork Skills and Competencies framework and other RRU Teamwork resources

Activity

Use the framework and reflect on your volunteer experience to identify and evaluate the teamwork skills you developed or enhanced.  Use the STARR format to develop your examples and consider the Relevance of these examples to your personal growth.

Examples of using teamwork skills in a volunteer setting:

  • An Event Coordinator uses Planning
  • A Cancer Support Volunteer uses Navigating Emotions

visual of STARR format table to fill in with examples of teamwork skills

Last modified: Thursday, 23 May 2024, 2:40 PM