Responses
to March 2008 Hot Topic
A
Union for Volunteers?
Response
posted on March 6 by Liz Scarfe, Manager Volunteering
Resources, Villa Maria, Kew, Australia
What
a great topic – thank you. I have been thinking about
writing a hot topic about volunteer strikes for awhile
– maybe now is the time.
While
I agree with your general position I think there is
a conflict of interest for Volunteer Managers to represent
and advocate for the needs of their volunteers, within
the organization who pays their salary. It can be
very hard to advocate within your own organisation
(rock the boat) when you feel at risk (perceived or
real) for doing so (a huge mortgage, rising interest
rates etc).
The
article by the Centre for a Civil Society mentions
how volunteers are the “glue” of our community, but
much of
this
“glue” is in informal volunteering, by people who
don’t even self-identify as being a volunteer so I
can’t see how a generic union could ever represent
the “glue” of society. Obviously some of the more
specialist adhesives benefit from more specialised
representation, which is great of course.
I
don’t think a generic union is the answer at all –
my stomach would turn to see some large body claim
to speak on behalf of all volunteers but I think this
is another symptom of the bureaucratizing of volunteering,
which many volunteer managers are complicit in spreading
without question.
The
article includes a link to submit your ideas/thoughts
regarding the proposition so I would encourage people
to voice their concerns in that forum. I hope VA,
state peaks and AAVA will also make submissions.
Response
posted on March 5 by Anne-Marie Traynor, Co-ordinator
Volunteer Services, Calvary Health Care, Sydney
I
am in absolute agreement with all the points mentioned
in this article.
The Volunteer Manager is the one to ensure that the
volunteers rights and responsibilites & those
of the organisations for the volunteer are understood
& implemented. A commitment to training and ongoing
supervision and support mades a very happy workforce.
Ensure they feel part of the team and not optional
extras, make efforts to give them meaningful work
which is then acknowledged & an expression of
appreciation is given by Management. There is no need
for unions who cannot represent volunteers at the
coldface with the diversity of roles the volunteers
provide.
If
there is a need for a union, then something is going
wrong! We need to get back to the individual workplace
and address the issues at hand.
Thank
you for your article and the support you provide to
volunteer managers like myself. I also reinforce your
words on the need to make time to network. I am in
a very busy job however our group networks every quarter,
I make this effort not just for myself but also to
support the other Managers. It is a great opportunity
to discuss issues and problem solve….. And just support
each other.
Let's
hear what you think!
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