The rising cost of volunteering
By Vanessa McQuarrie
Telephone calls, computer use and stationery costs all add up. If you take into account the price of a compulsory uniform, safety equipment, accommodation, travel (public transport and especially petrol) and laundry, it's no wonder that many people are finding that unexpected costs can sometimes outweigh the benefits of the volunteering experience.
The Costs of Volunteering Survey (2006) by Volunteering Australia has found that such out-of-pocket expenses are a growing issue for volunteers. It seems volunteers are not only donating their time and skills, but are being asked to pay for the 'privilege'.
Over 80% of volunteers surveyed believe costs are making it more difficult for people to volunteer. Even worse, one in four volunteers plans to reduce or stop their volunteer work as a result.
According to the results of the survey, many individuals had out-of-pocket expenses of about $200 a year and some respondents faced costs of over $3,000 that were never reimbursed. The average amount spent was just under $700 a year. Emergency services volunteers fare the worst, as do St John's Ambulance volunteers who sometimes travel long distances by car to big events.
The goodwill of volunteers was further cemented by the fact that almost 77% said they don't claim expenses back from their not-for-profit organisation because of the financial pressure such organisations are under. An astounding number of Australia's 700,000 not-for-profit organisations rely solely on volunteers and fundraising drives to operate. Only around 5% (35,000) of all not-for-profit organisations in the country can afford to employ staff.
The issue hit the media in January 2007 when the national Taskforce on the Costs of Volunteering called on the Government to step in and help avoid a volunteer crisis. A report prepared by the Taskforce recommended a range of options for a national scheme to reimburse volunteers' out-of-pocket expenses. Similar schemes have been implemented overseas.
The options include reimbursing volunteers directly through government grants or offering tax credits to not-for-profit organisations. Tax rebates or reductions for volunteers were also suggested.
Australians are among the most dedicated volunteers in the world – 41% of the population volunteers each year. Separate reports by Anglicare and the Attorney General's Office have also highlighted the cost issue of late. However, it is by no means a new issue and has in fact been discussed for several years according to Lynne Dalton, CEO, The Centre for Volunteering.
Scouts Australia, which has 20,000 adult volunteers, conducted an organisational review in 2005 and found that out-of-pocket costs were a key reason why volunteers left. "There needs to be a fair system where volunteers can claim their out-of-pocket costs without feeling they are hurting their organisation," said Ian Langford-Brown, Scouts Australia Chairman.
Dalton said while finding a solution will be difficult, if it is equitable and managed properly, "we won't lose too many volunteers". At the moment, economic times are good and many volunteers are able to pay their own expenses. "When times get tougher, look out!" she warned.
Of course, not all roles require volunteers to spend money on uniforms and equipment. "Working behind the scenes is just as important as frontline roles seen by the public such as firefighting and surf lifesaving," she said. Dalton suggested anyone who is having difficulty meeting the costs of volunteering should seek out different volunteer opportunities. "Meals on Wheels is as an example of a volunteering organisation that also 'saves lives every day'," she added.
While finding a solution to reimbursing volunteers is perhaps just beginning, the fact remains that volunteers don't want to be paid. The spirit of volunteering is alive and well, despite the strain on some hip pockets. As one volunteer, John Colvin, told the ABC's 7.30 Report: "If you want to measure it in a monetary term, then you're paid back in kind. You're paid back in feeling that you've contributed something to your fellow man – that you've been supportive to your community."
Brief results from the Costs of Volunteering Survey:
- 76% of volunteers surveyed reported some out-of-pocket expenses stemming from their volunteer work.
- 77% of volunteers would not claim any expenses back from their organisation.
- 54% of respondents believe government should be responsible for volunteers’ out-of-pocket expenses.
- 88% of volunteers use their own car at least some of the time when volunteering.
- 50.5% of organisations have a reimbursement policy.
- 79% of respondents believe out-of-pocket expenses are a barrier to volunteering.
- 27% of organisations report an increase in reimbursement requests in the last 12 months.
- 25% of volunteers said they were reconsidering their commitment due to costs.
More information
The Centre
for Volunteering [ABN 28 002 416 024]
Level 2, 228 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
T: 02 9261 3600 | F: 02 9261 4033 | E: info@volunteering.com.au
www.volunteering.com.au