OPINION: Valued volunteers

The number one reason given for quitting a volunteer assignment is that we are just too busy and don’t have the time to do an effective job.

Most organizations will lament the loss of a valued volunteer and they usually accept this explanation without question.

However, a closer look and a few pointed questions soon reveal that time is not the issue at all.

This is just the least painful explanation for a number of legitimate grievances.

Just like many other local people, our family and friends often volunteer to help our fellow citizens and improve the community at large.
However, in the past few years I have heard a number of comments that make me suspect all is not well among the ranks.

Many volunteers are passionate about what they do so when things go wrong they take it very seriously and sometimes very personally.

I have listened to several broken-hearted volunteers who felt they had been snubbed and taken for granted until finally they quit in frustration and sadness.

There are many reasons why volunteers quit including some very practical ones such as transportation, security, scheduling, out of pocket expenses and procedural red tape.

One issue alone, criminal record checks, seems to be a real local bottleneck for many would-be volunteers, some finding it cost prohibitive or facing lengthy, unexplained waiting times.

Others have been asked to make financial contributions or pay procedural fees before they qualify as volunteers and are given a cheap t-shirt or ball cap as a reward.

This is an insult, an embarrassment and a slap in the face to kind-hearted citizens, eager to contribute what they can to the community.

Many of these good people trying to lend a hand are highly-skilled professionals who have talent and good will to share, but who have been unceremoniously snubbed.

This is happening at a time when many organizations are facing serious challenges due to volunteer burnout – who needs a growing number of disgruntled, discarded helpers?

At the same time, the number of potential volunteers is growing quickly as millions of seniors and aging baby boomers look for meaningful ways to share their skills and knowledge.

A 2013 report by Volunteer Canada stated that seniors and baby boomers willingly contribute billions of hours of valuable services every year.

There seems to be a disconnect between this vast array of talent and resources and the organizations crying for their help while at the same time, driving them away.

It might be helpful to take a closer look at modern day volunteers to discover a more effective way to manage this unlimited pool of talent.

People of all ages and all walks of life can and do volunteer all the time but two demographics are providing charities and non-profits with a huge resource of knowledge and experience.

Baby boomers are willing and able to supervise events, serve on boards and committees and organize fundraising events.

They have consistently high rates of volunteering but they seek out meaningful activities and opportunities to use and develop skills.

Senior volunteers are also highly motivated to serve the community with counseling support, health-care assistance, social services and sports and recreation activities.

Both groups are highly prized as volunteers.

Northwestern Ontario is facing many tough economic and social challenges and innovative solutions could be facilitated by effective use of our impressive volunteer base.

But it shouldn’t hurt to volunteer – not financially, socially, personally or professionally – and the needs and sensitivities of valued volunteers need to be understood and respected.

We should all nurture this golden opportunity to move our community forward.