How Red Frogs recruits and trains young volunteers to support, serve and safeguard their peers
For nearly two decades, Red Frogs New Zealand has stood on the frontlines of youth safeguarding, mobilising hundreds of young volunteers every year to support, protect, and care for their peers at university campuses, music festivals, and New Year’s celebrations. But how do you successfully recruit, train, and retain young people to show up for others in high-energy, high-stress environments?
In this session, we sit down with Shannon Thomson (National Media Liaison & Fundraising Coordinator at Red Frogs NZ) to explore the culture, frameworks, and low-friction onboarding strategies that make Red Frogs one of the most trusted youth-led volunteer movements in Aotearoa. Whether you manage youth programs, event crews, or community initiatives, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to inspire the next generation of volunteers.
How Red Frogs recruits and trains young volunteers - Register now:
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Key topics covered:
Why young people show up:
How framing volunteering as a shared, peer led mission inspires young leaders to step up and safeguard their peers.
Frontline training:
How Red Frogs equips volunteers with practical harm-reduction skills and confidence to handle high-stress environments safely.
Building retention through connection:
How simple sign-up pathways and social, team-based volunteering reduce burnout and keep young people coming back.
In partnership with:
Shannon Thomson
Shannon Thomson is the National Media Liaison and Fundraising Coordinator for Red Frogs New Zealand, bringing over 16 years of hands-on volunteer leadership to the organisation. A former Bureau Chief and visual journalist, Shannon combines her two decades of media expertise with a deep passion for youth safeguarding, harm reduction, and community care. From coordinating large-scale festival and New Year’s responses across Central Otago to sharing Red Frogs’ mission nationwide, Shannon uses storytelling and strategic communications to help safeguard the next generation.
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Explore additional resources
Beyond a thank you: How recognition drives volunteer retention
Digital transformation for volunteer programs
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