1. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A 1 Volunteer Trends Andrea MacDonald Volunteer Canada Amacdonalad@volunteer.ca

2. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A Let’s Reflect What do you think are some of the trends in volunteering? –More or less people volunteering? –Who volunteers the most? 2

3. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A Canada Since the 2004 CSGVP, the volunteer activities of Canadians have changed in several ways. The most noteworthy changes are: A 5.7% increase in the total number of volunteers, from 11.8 million in 2004 to 12.5 million in 2007. A 4% increase in the total number of volunteer hours (from 1,983 million to 2,067 million). Changes in volunteering among specific social and demographic groups including: A 4% increase in the rate of volunteering among the religiously active (i.e., those who attend religious services at least once a week) from 62% to 66%. A 8% decrease in the average number of hours volunteered by those with pre-school aged children only (from 125 hours to105 hours) A 16% increase in the average number of hours volunteered by those with only school-aged children (from 142 hours to 165) and a 10% increase by those with no the children in the household (from 173 to 191). 3

4. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A Atlantic Canada Atlantic residents more likely to volunteer than national average Report higher average hours than residents of all other regions Organizations are heavily dependent on a very small segment of the population for most of their volunteer hours 4

5. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A But there aren’t enough volunteers... A 5.7% increase in the total number of volunteers, from 11.8 million in 2004 to12.5 million in 2007. A 4% increase in the total number of volunteer hours (from 1,983 million to 2,067 million). Increases in the rate of volunteering in Nova Scotia ( from 48% to 55%) 5

6. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A Who is doing all the work? Although more than half of Atlantic residents volunteered, a small minority were responsible for most volunteer hours -The 10% of volunteers who contributed 450 or more hours accounted for 51% of total volunteer hours -The top 25% of volunteers (200 hours or more) accounted for 76% of total volunteer hours -Half of volunteers contributed less than 63 hours each, collectively accounting for 7% of total volunteer hours 6

7. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A 7

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9. What are they doing? Atlantic residents most likely to volunteer for organizations working in the areas of: -Social services -Religion -Sports & recreation -Education & research More likely/as likely to volunteer for all types of organizations than residents of other provinces No major shifts in support from 2004 to 2007 9

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13. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A Group Work What are the biggest challenges you face in recruiting and retaining volunteers in your organization? Where do you go for support for on volunteer issues (community/regionally/provincially/nationally) 13

14. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A BRIDGING THE GAP How can we bridge the gap between what Canadians are looking for in volunteering and how organizations are engaging volunteers? http://volunteer.ca/study

15. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A GAPS -Many people are looking for group activities BUT few organizations have the capacity to offer them; –Many people come with professional skills BUT many professionals are looking for volunteer tasks that involve something different from their work life; –Organizations are expected to clearly define the roles and boundaries of volunteers BUT many volunteers want the flexibility to initiate what they have to offer (i.e., create their own volunteer opportunity); –Many organizations still want long-term commitment BUT many more volunteers are looking for shorter-term opportunities; and –Many organizations focus on what they need BUT besides helping others, many volunteers come with their own goals to be met. 15

16. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A 16 “Organizations need to get to know their youth volunteers personally, and learn about their skill set; this will improve long-term engagement with us.”

17. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A Youth Flexible and receptive to new ideas –More open-minded –have grown up being exposed to greater diversity than previous generations –Energetic and enthusiastic –Technologically savvy --respond to innovative online communications and recruitment techniques –Prefer peer camaraderie –as social beings, young enjoy meeting new people and participating in volunteer activities with their friends –See volunteering as a bridge --supports their search for employment, skills development, and networking –Sensitive to perceived age discrimination --prefer volunteer tasks where they feel respected and are given some responsibility 17

18. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A “I want to volunteer as a family to instil the sense of volunteerism in my children to continue the betterment of community later in life.” 18

19. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A Families Busy schedules: –Challenging to find enough time and juggle the schedules around babies, young children and teens, and sometimes aging parents Family cohesion: –Perception that volunteering together provides a thread to connect members of a family Generational differences: –Organizations need to accommodate a wide range of family members Passing on values: –Parents often look for ways to engage their children in volunteering in order to instil values and boost social awareness “Family time is important to me -when I volunteer, I want my children with me” 19

20. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A “Canada has a wealth of boomers –foot soldiers of social change. They bring skill sets not being properly harvested; instead they are disappearing on golf courses.” 20

21. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A Boomers Clear leaders in terms of average hours of volunteering compared to other groups Consistently among the highest participation rates Meaningful engagement –Boomers look for purpose in their volunteer activities Available time and flexibility –Boomers have more time and relatively flexible schedules compared to other groups Expectation of organization –Boomers want organizations to be efficient and effective in their management of volunteers and staff Loyalty –Boomers indicated they are willing to stay at an organization for many years as long as they are treated well 21

22. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A “I would like to see the results of my volunteering which would ideally consist of clearly defined tasks that are different from what I do at my everyday job.” 22

23. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A Employer-Supported Results-oriented –Employer-supported volunteers want short-term, high- skilled volunteering opportunities Measuring progress –Employer-supported volunteers like to measure their efforts and know if they are worth the time they’re contributing Volunteerism as a hobby –Volunteering is seen as an activity distinct from work, with a clear end product. Flexible volunteering –Employer-supported volunteers want flexibility in terms of time and space --they would like the ability to work remotely and to know what is expected of the role Structured volunteering –Employer-supported volunteers do not want to contribute their time to an organization that isn’t structured and organized efficiently 23 “I don’t necessarily want to volunteer in what I do all day at work”

24. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A Characteristics of Volunteering Volunteering Changes Throughout Our Lifecycle Volunteers Today Are Different –Goal oriented, mobile, structured lives, autonomous, tech-savvy, multiple roles and interests, motivated by results Volunteering is a Two-Way Relationship Volunteering is Personal Volunteering is a Way to Transfer and Develop Skills Volunteering in Groups Appeals to All Ages (social and business networking) Finding Satisfying Volunteering is Not Easy for Everyone 24

25. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A Less than ideal volunteer experiences 25

26. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A Group Work Based on all we have heard today – what are some innovative ways we could try to address the challenges you identified earlier? Who are we trying to target? What are the opportunities we have as an organization that will appeal to these volunteers? 26

27. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A What can organizations do? Finding a Balance Between: –Designing specific, set volunteer roles and also being open to volunteers determining the scope of what they can offer; –Being well organized but not too bureaucratic; –Matching skills to the needs of the organization but not assuming that everyone wants to use the skills related to their profession, trade, or education 27

28. V O L U N T E E R C A N A D A | B É N É V O L E S C A N A D A Resources Volunteer Canada www.volunteer.cawww.volunteer.ca –Current research; Canadian Code for Volunteerism; Corporate Citizenship; Get volunteering – www.getvolunteering.cawww.getvolunteering.ca –Skills Plus Tool; Family Volunteering Toolkit for Organizations; matching tool Survey of Giving and Volunteering - www.givingandvolunteering.cawww.givingandvolunteering.ca Gov’t of NS Labour & Advanced Education – Volunteerism and the Voluntary Sector http://www.gov.ns.ca/lae/volunteerism/http://www.gov.ns.ca/lae/volunteerism/ –Network of Networks NS Volunteer Research http://novascotiavolunteer.wordpress.comhttp://novascotiavolunteer.wordpress.com –Update on research, regional asset mapping; surveys –New provincial website in the works – launched in the spring Regional Development Authorities - www.nsarda.cawww.nsarda.ca 28