what would you do for nothing but a thank you?

Dansmam

Or no thanks at all. Bit of background here. Between us I and a colleague do a bit of volunteering. One chairs a charity board, the other does a lot of arranging events to raise funds. Neither gets as much help from anyone else involved in supporting either `good cause` as they need. Both are nearly full time jobs, both do this alongside holding down a full time job. The chairperson is dealing with employee complaints and whistleblowers for the charity with no indemnity from the organisation - meaning if they lose they may personally have to pay solicitors. The event organiser is constantly let down on offers for help arranging events..
Appears the country`s response to some financial challenges is for volunteers to fill the gap. What will you/your friends, family and neighbours will be volunteering for? Cake stalls and raffles can be fun!

Generali

Dansmam wrote: »

Or no thanks at all. Bit of background here. Between us I and a colleague do a bit of volunteering. One chairs a charity board, the other does a lot of arranging events to raise funds. Neither gets as much help from anyone else involved in supporting either `good cause` as they need. Both are nearly full time jobs, both do this alongside holding down a full time job. The chairperson is dealing with employee complaints and whistleblowers for the charity with no indemnity from the organisation - meaning if they lose they may personally have to pay solicitors. The event organiser is constantly let down on offers for help arranging events..
Appears the country`s response to some financial challenges is for volunteers to fill the gap. What will you/your friends, family and neighbours will be volunteering for? Cake stalls and raffles can be fun!

I was secretary of the local soccer club for a year until I got sick. There was a thankless task. I can't commit to something like that any more but I help out with a lot of ad hoc stuff: helping out with the sausage sizzle at school or taking soccer coaching if the coach can't make it.

I also do a fair amount of fund raising through my cycling although that again was curtailed by me getting sick. I will go back to it though.

I think people should volunteer more and rely on the state less. There is no good reason that the council should be painting schools for example when each one has hundreds of able bodied parents who should be perfectly capable of sorting out a working bee between themselves.

Moby

Of course the use of charities and volunteering is the Govmts attempt to fill the gaps created by their corrosive policies towards public services. Cameron's 'Big Society' is the obvious example of this. Charity work and volunteering is fine if it is an adjunct to a service like lawyers working at a Law Centre to give free advice or doing things like running a football team etc....problems start when it is expected to replace a service. In my own area of work it is criminal the way in which Legal Aid has disappeared. I have many fathers in estranged relationships who presently have no access to their children because they cannot pay for their Court proceedings due to the withdrawal of Legal Aid. Of course all that is happening is that the govmt is saving money in the short term but storing up trouble for the future by implementing cuts that reduce access to justice with all the obvious implications.

ali-t

Back in the day it wasnt called volunteering it was about being part of the community but there is so much legislation in place (for the right reasons) to safeguard communities and vulnerable people that getting involved has become much more regulated and formal.

At the moment i volunteer with 2 organisations and think it is important that everyone should do their bit whether that is physically or financially.

chucknorris

I used to do home checks for dog rescue centres, but I don't have the time now, I may start doing them again after my retirement next year. I am also the competition secretary for our bowls club and captain two chess teams for our chess club, but that is different as I am getting something out of those clubs.

Generali

The Aussies have a good attitude to volunteering. The PM still volunteers for his local rural fire service and most 'bush' areas, even in the outer suburbs of Sydney have a local RFS which is 100% volunteers and provides the sole fire cover in many cases.

Sapphire

I don't have that much time, but I do volunteer work involved in London archaeology (have also done this abroad in the past). I've also volunteered to help out in my local hospital, but so far have not actually given them any physical help due to pressure of time taken to do paid work.

I help my family, e.g. my sister with her animals. I'd like to find the time to also help animal charities in future.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

I volunteer at an RDA stables one evening per week. It's more than a thank you, as I do get to spend some time with horses (and buckets of poo). The problem with volunteering is reliability. We need a core number of competent helpers for the rides to take place and some weeks it's a real struggle. It's worse in winter when it's cold, dark and wet and people don't fancy heading out again when they get in from work. Some of our best helpers have been quiet, shy teenagers who've never been near a horse before.

This stables gets no government funding and has to rely on local fundraising.

Freecall

I have done what they now call voluntary work pretty much all my life. As a Parish Councillor, School Govenor, Tour Guide for the National Trust and member of the local litter picking squad (not all at once!).

I see it as a two way street, in doing these things I have benefited enormously from meeting interesting people I would never have otherwise come into contact with. I have had some great laughs and many enjoyable moments as well as building friendships which will last me until the grave.

If this has been of help to others then so much the better.

mayonnaise

I haven't volunteered for anything for a long time now, I'm afraid to say.
But I do offer free financial advice on here to the less fortunate like brit, Graham and shortchanged....does that count?

chucknorris

mayonnaise wrote: »

I haven't volunteered for anything for a long time now, I'm afraid to say.
But I do offer free financial advice on here to the less fortunate like brit, Graham and shortchanged....does that count?

What about Crashy, he desperately needs some sound financial advice.