Over a third of Australian adults volunteer - do you?
One-third of Australian adults volunteer, giving up over 700 million hours a year to help their community. The value of their contributions has been estimated to be worth $70 billion. However, increased demand on community organisations means volunteers are needed more than ever. In fact, 76% of organisations surveyed in a recent report co-authored by Volunteering Australia and the National Australia Bank, indicated that they needed more volunteers.
So how does volunteering work? While most volunteers get involved because they like to help others, many find that receive personal satisfaction in return.
We spoke to some Essential Baby members to find out who they volunteer for – and why.
EB member Sharon is a foster parent and is on the committee of a local arts organisation and the P & C. “I believe you need to give something back to the community where and when you can. There are so many worthwhile causes that could just do with a few hours of your time” said Sharon. “I feel it is selfish to say that you are too busy or you will do it later. It enriches not only others but your life as well. As a community we could really do with stepping up a bit more and pulling together - I feel we have lost a lot of community spirit and the sense of responsibility to help others.”
Katherine Plint founded and volunteers full time for her daughter’s memorial charity, Hannah’s Foundation, which promotes drowning prevention, awareness and support. Katherine’s daughter drowned in their backyard swimming pool aged 2. “This is her legacy and our mission”, said Katherine and her husband.
Jade runs a youth group for disengaged and at risk teen girls in conjunction with the Salvation Army. “I did this originally to gain experience during my psych degree, but after this it has really awakened a passion in me - and I now do it for the love of it” said Jade.
Roxy is president of her local Playgroup and is involved in many other groups, from Girl Guides to Little Athletics.
“I feel that to be part of a community you need to contribute to it. Every one needs a helping hand sometimes and without people who are willing to help many things just wouldn't happen. I also believe that I forge strong relationships and meet many new people through volunteering.”
Suzy has volunteered as a Breastfeeding Counsellor for The Australian Breastfeeding Association for nine years. “When a Mother is having problems with her baby she can contact me via phone or email... and I will make time to help her understand why things are happening as they are for her and help her find a solution. It can be challenging - especially a phone call from a distressed mother and baby at 3am, but it is very rewarding when the Mother finds a solution that worked for her individual family and contacts me to say thank you. I do it because I love helping Mummas and Babies and because breastfeeding is such a healthy option and aside from The Australian Breastfeeding Association there is little if any support and encouragement for breastfeeding families.”
One myth about volunteering is that it is for retirees or the unemployed. But our seasoned volunteers have some manage their volunteering around paid work and family commitments. For Sharon, volunteering is part of her social life. “I spend more time at things connected to volunteering than other things like going out for dinner etc. For example the arts organisation has lots of events on so often these make up some of our recreational activities.”
Roxy fits in “an hour here and there” and finds it adds up. “I give up evenings to go to committee meetings, day time for helping. All long term volunteers seem to be very busy people who just get the job done.”
Another myth about volunteers is that because they are unpaid, they are unskilled. To maintain her role as a counsellor, Suzy is involved in regular training. “I need to train and update qualifications throughout each year as well as attend regular meetings and training conferences as breastfeeding research is constantly being done and we need to keep up with the most up to date information.” Others use skills honed in the corporate world to provide expertise to non-profit organisations.
Are there downsides to volunteering? Roxy has found that, “few people ever say thank you. People who never volunteer or help have the highest expectations and the most criticism of volunteers.”
Volunteers may also develop a sense of obligation to an organisation Doramae says that it “can be difficult when you want to take on paid work or study, or spend more time with family and feel you can't step down from voluntary work because no-one is prepared to step up to take your place.”
Can you help?
Help address Australia’s shortfall of volunteers by getting involved today. There are now internet-based services to help match volunteers to the right position, like Go Volunteer, Australia's first national, not-for-profit volunteer recruitment website.
Other ways you can get involved are by speaking to your local school, conservation group, sporting program or even your employer. Many large corporations now provides a day or two's volunteer leave for all staff so they can get involved in their local community.
A message from NAB
Since 1998 NAB employees have received two days leave per year to volunteer and give something back to the community. Last year this equated to 6,000 employee volunteer days.
Since the program's inception, NAB has built relationships with over 350 community organisations to ensure NAB employees are delivering valuable support to community groups, who have a real need for volunteers to provide their services to those that need them.
Find out more about NAB's Employee Volunteer Program.
