Responses to December 09/ January 2010 Hot Topic
Global Recession: Are we missing a golden opportunity?
Response posted on 6 January 2010 by Wendy Moore, Volunteer Manager, Brisbane, QLD
What I have noticed in my organization in the last 6 months is an increase in interest in volunteering from school, university and overseas students. In my opinion in this current economic climate it is evident that in a competitive job market any additional skills set or experience that a person can gain greatly enhances their job prospects over other prospective job candidates. I believe that volunteering can not only provide experience in relevant areas of study/career but also an opportunity to improve language and social skills and thus also improve confidence levels.
Volunteering trends have changed over the years in line with work/life balance and the wants, needs and expectations of an immerging youth, eager to volunteer their time, but within the parameters of their frenetic study and work commitments. I wonder if there are some organizations whose structure and outdated philosophy does not allow for this flexibility in volunteering. These organizations are missing out on a burgeoning volunteer resource if this is indeed the case.
This is a great opportunity to develop new programs from within organizations to provide more volunteering opportunities. While resources may be scarce, with an increase in the number of volunteers there are opportunities to present a case to management on the need for increased staffing and other resources to manage the additional volunteers based on the triple bottom line accounting principle which is a principle that captures an expanded spectrum of values and criteria for measuring organisational and societal success: economic, ecological and social. In a society where organisations are now incorporating ecological as well as social capital as part of their vision, there is an opportunity to promote volunteerism as an integral part of their mission.
Response posted on 5 January 2010 by Peter Heyworth, Executive Director, Northern Volunteering, Salisbury, SA
A thought provoking comment Andy.
I have long felt that we do not see opportunities as they present themselves. Too frequently we complain or bury our heads in the sand, rather than trying to think creatively and bigger picture. Whether it is the GFC or changes in public policy (as we have experienced in Australia in relating to the unemployed) and so on. We are presented with opportunities. The successful organisations will be those who are able to readjust and act rather than knee jerk.
As a Resource Centre, I am aware of the role we can play helping organisations and government to be pro active. For South Australia, taking a strategic focus on developing a statewide volunteering strategy can be key. Including government at all tiers, resource centres etc, I believe we can develop a strategy which will help move volunteering into this next phase of our State and national growth.
Are we too passive – you bet! Can we be more active – you bet! Should we advocate for more resources – you bet! Do we as organisations need to pull our socks up – you bet!
On an organisational level, taking People First-Total Solutions lead, I am seriously considering conducting regular surveys in our region each year whereby someone ‘applies’ for volunteer work in both member and non member organisations. We frequently find organisations do not get back to potential volunteers, or the lead time is so long that volunteers loose incentive. Even before organisations think about skills or matching, we put ourselves behind the eight ball by not responding in the first instance. My feeling is we don’t need a GFC or public policy changes to hinder our organisations, we often do a good job ourselves.
This is even before we talk about retaining this new group of volunteers when they start returning to work.
It is time we start to talk, think and act in using our circumstances to benefit our organisations rather than follow the crowd mentality.
Some thoughts which will be driving me in 2010
Response posted on 10 December 2010 by Sr Margaret Guy, Volunteer Educator, Sisters of Charity Outreach
Re: The Global Recession and its effects on Volunteering,we had the lowest number of applicants and volunteers who completed our volunteer training program this year since 2004.My thoughts as to why, was because people stayed in paid work rather than retire because of hard times or took job opportunities, even if part time, when they came up because of the possibility of lower household incomes.
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