“Volunteering is doing more than you have to, because you want to, in a cause you consider good” Mr. Ivan Scheier.
Volunteering is people providing:
- Their own free time
- Benefits to others and the community
- For no monetary reward.
How important is Volunteering to W.A.?
Volunteering is W.A’s largest industry by employment, sitting at $17.7 billion a year. It is estimated that 4 out of 5 W.A. residents volunteer either formally or informally at some stage in their lives.
There are two types of Volunteering:
Informal: Is age old where there was/is a need to meet i.e.
- Farmers helping each other with seeding, harvesting, fires drought. Looking out for your neighbours.
- Dad coaching local kids football
- Mum working in the school canteen
Corporate:
- Staff from corporate companies giving time with the support of the organisation in an effort to provide support to organisations and communities as part of their community profile and commitment.
- Maintaining a free spirit within an organised framework
- Only provided into not-for-profit organisations
- Aims to give potential staff volunteers an informed choice of available voluntary work opportunities.
There are many reasons and benefits for people to volunteer:
- Assisting people and organisations
- Development and maintain skills
- Building self-esteem and confidence
- Making new friends
- A sense of community involvement and achievement
- Being part of a team
- Improved mental and physical health
- A pathway to paid employment
Volunteer Check List – check that
- The organisation is a not-for-profit
- The purpose of the organisation matches your own values and beliefs
- The organisation has current and adequate volunteer insurance
- Your role is clearly defined
- That they can provide you with information about their activities and services