99% of volunteers believe their work makes a difference: National survey finds
[14 May 2007 | Volunteering Australia]
Findings from Volunteering Australia's second annual National Survey of Volunteering Issues, to be released during National Volunteer Week (May 14-20 2007) have identified that most volunteers are positive about the benefits their work brings to the community.
The survey, which explores known and emerging public policy issues in volunteering and volunteer management practices, also focused upon how volunteers see themselves as contributing to social change or community benefits through their volunteer work. It found that 70% of volunteers feel empowered to influence decisions in their organisation and its broader objectives. Some volunteers, however, would still like greater opportunities to participate in this way.
Over 3200 volunteers and not for profit organisations participated in the 2007 survey. The report can be downloaded from the Volunteering Australia website www.volunteeringaustralia.org.
National Volunteer Week provides a national focus for organisations wanting to recruit volunteers and promote the value of volunteering to the community. This is critical for many of Australia's 700,000 not-for-profit organisations, many of whom rely on volunteers to survive.
'Volunteers not only make a positive difference to the organisations they work with, but more importantly, they make a positive difference to the lives of the users or clients of those services. They make a constructive difference to the communities in which they live and serve…' says Ian Rentsch, President of Volunteering Australia.
Volunteering accounts for so much more, he continues, 'Where we find organisations and communities that have active volunteering, we also find healthy organisations and communities.'
Volunteering Australia is the national peak body working to advance volunteering in the Australian community. Information about National Volunteer Week including activities around the country, and links to www.govolunteer.com.au Australia's largest on-line free volunteer recruitment service are available at www.volunteeringaustralia.org
National Volunteer Week 2007 is supported by NAB, and by the Australian Government Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
Media Contact: Louise Brennan, Volunteering Australia 03 9820 4100.