By Leigh Gracie
Over the next few weeks, we will examine the volunteer management cycle. This cycle is a useful tool for attracting and retaining people. There are many versions of the cycle, but essentially, it is the journey your volunteers take through your organisation.
Volunteers come on board and stay or go for very different reasons.
Understanding what drives them to volunteer with you and what motivates them to remain is the key to retaining people.
The term “new volunteerism” has been used to describe how volunteering is becoming more flexible, episodic, more self-orientated in volunteer motivations, and taking place with weaker organisational attachments.
The 2019 Volunteering Trends Study (Volunteering WA) explored recruitment retention and training and found that while the time spent on volunteering is decreasing, flexible, micro, and virtual volunteering are becoming more popular.
Recruitment trends in younger adult volunteers
The primary motivation tends to be career benefits, including work experience, improved resumes, and acquiring new skills to enhance overall employability.
Those motivated to volunteer for social reasons are more likely to invest more time in volunteering.
They value social interaction more highly than other age groups.
They favour online recruitment, particularly young adults under 24 years.
Virtual volunteer involving organisations and digital engagement and inclusion are becoming increasingly important to younger adults.
Time constraints are one of the main reasons they do not engage in volunteering.
Many do not volunteer due to a lack of awareness about volunteering.
Recruitment trends in older adult volunteers
Motives for volunteering include altruism, utilisation of skills, and social engagement.
They prefer to be asked to contribute their education and skills to the task rather than simply to volunteer.
They are more likely to volunteer when there are incentives, such as mileage reimbursement or discounts at local stores.
They volunteer to feel more connected and create meaningful social relationships, whether with other volunteers or with people of the same generation.
Older adults are currently healthier and more active than previous generations and have greater commitments and responsibilities.
Credit: Volunteering WA, Australian Red Cross VLP
If you would like more information, please contact the Community Development Team—Chris, Leigh, Melissa, and Megan—at 6429 8900 or
email leigh.gracie@centralcoast.tas.gov.au