Volunteering Statistics Point to Effective Managers of Volunteers
The release of the Statistics New Zealand “Non-profit institutions satellite account: 2013” (NPISA) data today indicate that New Zealand remains a country with a strong commitment to volunteering, but through less hours volunteered.
“Reduced hours are consistent with international trends where volunteers are constantly managing busy schedules to volunteer” states Scott Miller, Chief Executive of Volunteering New Zealand. However, since the last NPISA findings were last recorded in 2004, the profession of volunteer managers has developed considerably to meet the needs of volunteers in our community organisations.
Effective volunteer management ensures volunteer effort is maximised through well designed volunteer roles, and managed through well designed volunteer opportunities. As a result, organisations are increasingly developing a culture of volunteer experience the meets the needs of time-poor people to volunteer more flexibly. Canadian research suggests that shorter-term volunteering has forced organizations to think outside the box, resulting in new and valuable volunteer roles; provided opportunities for organisations to meet their mission in ways not previously possible; and engaged busy people in organisations who might not otherwise have volunteered.
As National Volunteer Week commences this Sunday (20 June), Miller adds the release of this data coincides well with this year’s theme that serves to acknowledge and celebrate the 1.2 million volunteers who ‘make time’ for our communities”.
Volunteering New Zealand (VNZ) is an association of New Zealand organisations that have a commitment to volunteering, such as volunteer centres, national and other organisations. Their mission is to promote, support and advocate for volunteering. www.volunteeringnz.org.nz
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