Volunteerism and embracing the intrinsic motivation for volunteering Fliss Callanan Deputy Lead Volunteer, Membership Growth & Retention

“To help people be altruistic, we need to help them be selfish “To help people be altruistic, we need to help them be selfish. Volunteering can help volunteers overcome loneliness, meet friends, gain skills, get jobs, or just feel good about themselves. The selfish volunteer is not a bad person, or part of an unwelcome trend –  it is at the heart of the future of volunteering.”  The 21st Century Volunteer (2005)

Volunteering, at its core, remains transformational Volunteering, at its core, remains transformational. It transforms both the giver and the receiver. […] Put simply, volunteering can bring out the very best in people. The process of volunteering is therefore a kind of alchemy. Volunteering takes up that most universal of human resources - time. It takes that universal resource, so often squandered, and uses it to transform people’s lives. It takes a universal base asset and turns it into the human gold of changed lives. The New Alchemy – Part 1

New retirees & growth in choice Austerity ‘Big Society’ Olympics impact Political climate Technological impact Social changes Economic challenges New retirees & growth in choice More options for volunteering Active retirees Internet Micro- volunteering Spending power of older generation Lack in younger Diversity Ageing Family changes Leisure changes

Motivations for volunteering – WAGGGS research Overall volunteer perception is shaped by positive association of activities that provide enjoyment and encourages learning. Volunteers specifically associate girl guide/scouts with the following dimensions:  Sociability (new people, new friends etc.)  Community (involved in activities for greater good)  Self-improvement and learning There are some key differences in what drives membership consideration among the potential and uninvolved groups compared to others. There is a strong desire in these sub-segments to gain ‘professional/academic development’ Managing time and ensuring that volunteers feel motivated are critical for MOs to minimise volunteer attrition.

Time: Volunteers set aside some of their time to undertake activities on behalf of MOs. One of the key issues to emerge in the analysis of the data is the high degree of consideration and respect volunteers expect for their time. One of the main reasons for volunteers leaving a volunteering role is it ‘took too much time’. Sociability: The ability to make friends and meet new people is an important driver in why volunteers consider joining MOs. Considering a set of social measures around the volunteer cohort will be very well received. Formalising this as a benefit of volunteering can also help retain volunteers. Capacity: Data indicates that there is significant capacity among the potential and uninvolved segments to volunteer. The capacity among potential (46%) and uninvolved (36%) is currently being consumed via membership of ‘sports team’. Certification: A large cross section of the potential and uninvolved would consider joining WAGGGS as a volunteer if it helps in professional and academic development. There is also a significant number of lapsed members who indicate this preference.

Altruistic – Instrumental – Obligatory – Motivations for volunteering Typical volunteer More affluent Retired (65+) or young (16-24) Single Regular worshipper Likely to donate to charity already Form of volunteering Sports & exercise (52%) Hobbies, recreation, arts, social clubs (42%) Religion (36%) Children’s education and schools (34%) Motivations for volunteering Altruistic – The ‘want to give something back’ volunteer Instrumental – The ‘want to get something out of this’ volunteer Obligatory – The ‘moral or religious duty’ volunteer

Volunteer Recruitment Campaign When? Autumn 2017. Who? Aimed at 24-35 yr olds (same group as #ForTheGirl awareness campaign from last year) Why? To get a younger demographic into our volunteer base. How? Predominantly social media based, targeted at certain ‘types’ of person with similar shared values as Girlguiding. Charity Ad of the Week: Girlguiding '#ForTheGirl' (UK) Kim

Recruitment Campaign Pack New downloadable resource to help with a recruitment campaign. What to do, who to talk to, where to get help! Aimed for recruitment of girls and volunteers. https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/globalassets/docs-and-resources/growing-and-promoting-guiding/recruitment-campaign-guide.pdf ‘Be Bootcamp ready’ Membership communications to inspire our members to undertake a local recruitment campaign to coincide with the national campaign. https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/making-guiding-happen/how-were-being-our-best/recruitment-bootcamp/ Kim