Volunteering is unpaid work by people who contribute time, energy and expertise to help others in their community. They do this freely and without payment, other than out-of-pocket expenses.
Volunteers contribute in areas such as schools, hospitals, sport, the environment and community services.
The success of volunteer programs lies in their ability to meet the needs of both the organisation and the volunteer.
Why is it important?
Volunteers make an immense contribution to our society. In 2006, 610,000 South Australians provided an estimated 1.4 million volunteer hours per week.
Volunteering is an opportunity for people to:
- Take part in decision making about services that affect them.
- Give something back to the community, work for social change, have fun and gain new experiences.
- Share life skills and knowledge from diverse cultural and social backgrounds with clients and staff of an organisation.
- Stay active and engaged with their communities.
- Develop skills that can be used in the volunteer role and beyond it, such as in paid work.
- Meet people, build friendships and networks.
As a volunteer you can:
- Empower people - teach and exchange skills.
- Be indispensable - provide administration and clerical support.
- Provide nourishment - prepare and serve food.
- Help the world go around - transport people and goods.
- Save lives and property - help with emergency relief.
- Build a sustainable world - care for the environment.
- Have a say in how services are provided to communities through consultations and working committees.
Volunteers contribute to organisational activities by "value adding" to services. The personal touch that volunteers add can make all the difference to the people who need services.
What do I need to do?
For people interested in volunteering:
Contact Volunteering SA (or your local volunteer service) who will be able to offer you advice on a range of organisations you can volunteer for as well as other general advice.
You may be asked to submit a resume and complete an application form specifying the extent of your involvement. In most instances police checks may be required.
Organisations interested in recruiting volunteers will need to establish volunteer management and support infrastructure such as:
- Provide clear role descriptions to help volunteers and paid staff to understand each other’s role.
- Provide orientation, training, supervision and support.
- Provide a safe environment and cover insurance and other out of pocket expenses.
- Recognise and value their contribution.
- Establish networks that will enable access to a range of potential volunteers (eg Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders (ATSI) and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities or people from social and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, including people with disabilities).
See DFC Volunteering for more information.
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