Volunteering Australia Survey
Results of the 2009 National Survey of Volunteering Issues are in, and there are some pointed lessons for any community group that uses volunteers in their operations.
Some points to ponder for the New Year:
When did you last say thanks? More than a third of volunteers in the survey reported they had not had any recognition for their good work during the last month of their volunteering.
It’s really not that hard ... ‘Being accepted as a valuable team member’, ‘personal thank you’ and ‘feedback about my contribution’ were the most significant methods of recognition that respondents reported made them feel valued as a volunteer.
How meaningful are the work opportunities that you offer? A total of 80% of respondents said ‘Knowing that my contribution would make a difference’ was the most important factor in their decision to volunteer.
Are you protected? A total of 30% of organisations surveyed had not been able to access adequate information about the protection of volunteers under occupational health and safety legislation.
re you making it easy for people to volunteer? Only 17% of volunteers said their organisation offered full reimbursement of their out‐of‐pocket expenses, while 44% said such costs affected their ability and desire to volunteer. Fuel and phone charges were the two most common cost problems. Budget properly for your volunteer costs and you’ll make it easier for people to stick around.
The survey was conducted by Volunteering Australia and involved more than 3700 respondents.
Some points to ponder for the New Year:
When did you last say thanks? More than a third of volunteers in the survey reported they had not had any recognition for their good work during the last month of their volunteering.
It’s really not that hard ... ‘Being accepted as a valuable team member’, ‘personal thank you’ and ‘feedback about my contribution’ were the most significant methods of recognition that respondents reported made them feel valued as a volunteer.
How meaningful are the work opportunities that you offer? A total of 80% of respondents said ‘Knowing that my contribution would make a difference’ was the most important factor in their decision to volunteer.
Are you protected? A total of 30% of organisations surveyed had not been able to access adequate information about the protection of volunteers under occupational health and safety legislation.
re you making it easy for people to volunteer? Only 17% of volunteers said their organisation offered full reimbursement of their out‐of‐pocket expenses, while 44% said such costs affected their ability and desire to volunteer. Fuel and phone charges were the two most common cost problems. Budget properly for your volunteer costs and you’ll make it easier for people to stick around.
The survey was conducted by Volunteering Australia and involved more than 3700 respondents.
posted by Adult Learning Australia
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