Trends in volunteerism

In order to recruit new volunteers, groups need to be aware of changing trends.

In the past, people chose to volunteer to help other people and the community, socialise, gain or use skills, commit to a cause, improve job prospects, or achieve personal growth.

Increasingly, opennness to volunteering appears to be dependent on personal interests and needs. Volunteers are demanding more freedom of choice and clearly limited assignments with tangible outcomes.

Current trends include volunteers wanting:

• flexibility
• to work in a diverse range of ways and for different organisations
• non-formal, short term and project-based work
• to feel they can make a difference for the environment
• family-friendly and family orientated volunteering opportunities
• to combine work and travel with volunteer opportunities
• opportunities for online or virtual volunteering
• meaningful and substantive roles that are outcome driven
• a greater responsibility and input in decision making.

These trends have been accompanied by an increasing acknowledgement of global issues and the importance of acting locally, as well as an increased interest in participation from culturally diverse and marginalised groups. 

Barriers to volunteering 

Recruitment processes can be improved by understanding the barriers people have to becoming a volunteer. 

A recent Volunteer Queensland study found these include:

• not knowing what volunteering opportunities were available
• not feeling welcome by the organisation
• unappealing volunteering opportunities
• busy lives with competing priorities
• being worried they don’t have adequate skills or experience
• no time or capacity for training
• potential costs involved in volunteering.

Volunteer recruitment

The most successful volunteer organisations are those with strong induction programs and management styles that reinforce the worth of volunteer contributions.  Managers need to understand what motivates their target group. Know why they are volunteering and what their interests are
and develop programs to provide them with an experience that meets their motivations.

Most organisations will need to have policies and procedures in place and will need to ensure they are understood by the volunteer.  They need to have defined roles, a position description and a specific tailored project.

These strategies should be used for volunteer recruitment:

• Clearly communicate the organisation’s goals
• Clearly define roles, responsibilities and duties
• Comprehensive induction and orientation process
• Make it fun
• Promote volunteer positions in the local media
• Use thematic communication to advertise
• Use social media
• Appeal to a more diverse range of people
• Reduce barriers to volunteering, including costs and misconceptions

Boost volunteering with help from NQ Dry Tropics

If you would like to become an environmental volunteer, please email us to be matched to your perfect volunteering project.

Here are some other ways NQ Dry Tropics has been improving volunteer recruitment for environmental community groups:

Green Nomads

Turning grey nomads green has never been so easy!

A strong trend has emerged of people wanting to volunteer when they travel.  The Green Nomad program links Australia’s grey nomads with environmental volunteering opportunities.  Created by Queensland Water and Land Carers, the program was recently launched in North Queensland by NQ Dry Tropics. 

If you are grey nomad and are keen to volunteer during your travels, visit www.greennomads.com.au. If you are an environmental community group in the dry tropics keen to benefit from the skills, experience and enthusiasm of grey nomads, email us.

Scout groups

Environmental community groups, especially Landcare, can assist scouts to gain their Landcare and world environment badges.

The World Scout Environment Badge seeks to create an awareness of personal responsibility for the environment.  It encourages Scouts to think about how we interact with the local and global environment and take action to protect it.

Scouts will generally spend a total of 10 hours with the groups to complete their badge work. NQ Dry can provide resources, conduct presentations and help coordinate projects.   For more information, please email us.

Army personnel

Defence force personnel and their families are often interested in volunteer work because it allows them to connect with the local community. Contact the ARMY’s Defence Community Organisation at www.army.gov.au.

NQ Dry Tropics advertises volunteer opportunities through the Australian Army’s Soldier Opportunities for Recreation and Development (SORD) program at www.army.gov.au.  The aim of the program is to maximise interarction between soldiers and civilians, and improve soldiers' enjoyment of life outside of the army. 

Corporate volunteering

Corporate volunteering enables businesses to fulfil their social responsibility. It involves allocating staff to volunteer in the local community a few days each year.  This has many benefits for the employee, such as building their skills and improving morale, while creating a positive image for the company.

NQ Dry Tropics links companies with local community groups through a monthly e-newsletter.  If your company would like to receive these newsletters contact NQ Dry Tropics on 47225732.

Social media

Social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and MySpace are increasingly popular.  Around three quarters of the world’s internet users visit these social networks, with potential volunteers using these resources to find casual volunteer opportunities. 

These social networking tools are a great way for volunteer coordinators to communicate quickly and effectively with new and existing volunteers. They are also a good way for community groups to keep in touch with each other and share events and photos. 

Start your social media profile by joining the NQ Dry Tropics facebook page ‘Volunteering Dry Tropics’, or start your own facebook page at www.facebook.com

Students

Reef Guardian Schools

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Reef Guardian Schools program encourages schools to commit to the protection and conservation of the Great Barrier Reef.  A component of this program is forming partnerships with environmental community groups.

Reef Guardian Schools have formed partnerships with groups that involve students volunteering their time to gain relevant skills and experience in the community.  For more information visit www.reefed.edu.au/home/guardians.

University Students

University students need to perform volunteer work either as part of their studies or simply to gain relevant experience for employment opportunities.  James Cook University (JCU) has a careers and employment site that links students with volunteer or work experience positions.  Community groups can register a position for JCU students at www-public.jcu.edu.au/careers/.

NQ Dry Tropics also works with JCU on its new program called TropEco which aims to actively involve staff and students in sustainability related activities.  The program is focused on large scale behavioural change by providing fun and challenging activities.For more information visit www.jcu.edu.au/tropeco. If you have a sustainability event to share with the JCU community, email details to us.

NQ Dry Tropics also links environmental community groups with students required to do JCU professional vacation placements including EV3018.  This partnership is beneficial for groups that need dedicated volunteers to undertake specific projects, while allowing students to gain relevant and meaningful work experience in natural resource management.

Community Days

A great way to recruit new volunteers is to attend community events, expos and open days.  NQ Dry Tropics has found new volunteers by attending events such as the Defence Force Expo and open days, the James Cook University ‘O Week’ and Careers Fairs, and by creating our own community days such as the Celebrate the Sea Festival. 

Using well known environmental days such as Clean Up Australia Day and National Tree Day is a great way to recruit new volunteers and showcase your group’s achievements.

Valuing volunteers

Studies have found satisfied volunteers are people that:

• are respected, rewarded and recognised for their work
• balance volunteering with the other aspects of their lives
• identify strongly with an aspect of volunteering
• have clear roles and responsibilities
• enjoy learning from their volunteer experiences
• were willing and able to share and apply their new knowledge in a variety of ways
• made friends with other volunteers and had fun
• felt valued by others in the group
• believed that what they did is important
• received appropriate training.

Make sure your volunteers are valued, recognised and rewarded for their work.  While some may appreciate a simple thank you at the end of their shift, others will enjoy a reward program based on their number of volunteer hours. 

Here are some suggestions on ensuring your volunteers are valued:

• Certificate of appreciation
• Awards for volunteer hour milestones
• Regular social events such as BBQs
• Fun  annual awards
• Nominate your volunteer for official awards such as the ‘Australian Government National Volunteer Award’
• Include volunteer activities on your webpage
• Include volunteer achievements in your publications including your annual report
• Formal dinner/lunch or breakfast
• Recognise personal achievements and birthdays
• Get their stories in the media
• Ask for their opinion and feedback
• Listen to their thoughts on appropriate recognition
• Celebrate their personal milestones
• Hold an event for National Volunteer Week and International Volunteer Day
• Offer training opportunities
• Volunteer managers and supervisors need recognition too!

For more information

Volunteering North Queensland: www.volunteeringnthqld.org.au

Volunteering Queensland: www.volunteeringqld.org.au

Volunteering Australia: www.volunteeringaustralia.org

Queensland Government: www.qld.gov.au/about/jobs-and-work/volunteering.html