Survey

nfpSynergy have published a briefing (PDF) on over-estimating levels of volunteering which does make for interesting reading.

In it they suggest that loose definitions make for over-estimates and make some interesting recommendations; that 'informal volunteering' should be re-christened as neighbourliness or community spirit, that volunteering should therefore just refer to 'formal volunteering' and that how volunteering is defined within the Citizenship survey questions should be tightened.

Measuring volunteering is of course notoriously difficult. Not only does it depend on a person's own perception of volunteering or the questions actually posed, but it is easier to say what isn't volunteering rather than what is.

The differing figures from nfpsynergy, the Citizenship Survey and the National Surveys clearly indicate that we do need some form of acceptable uniformity. And maybe the answer will come from the UN. Earlier this year it confimred that it will issue guidelines on how national governments should measure voluntary work in national surveys.

Calling all volunteer managers!

Red Foundation has launched a new online survey to look at the support available to volunteer managers and volunteers who run projects. Are volunteer managers isolated in their work? Do you get to speak with other volunteer managers? Do you use Facebook to reach other people doing work like yours? Or to reach volunteers? Where do you get the information you need? How do you learn how best to recruit and manage volunteers?

This survey is part of the Modernising Volunteering Improving Support project which will inform the work of front-line support providers. This means that what you tell us will have a genuine impact on what support volunteer managers and volunteer-led projects will have in the future. If you want change - tell us! If you want things to stay the way they are - tell us!

The UK Workforce Hub are currently undertaking a project to review and refresh the Management of Volunteers National Occupational Standards to ensure they meet the needs of managers in the voluntary and community sector through to 2014.

We are inviting you to take part in a consultation process which asks you to contribute your views on the draft standards which have been updated by a steering group and a consultant. It begins on the 18^th October will run until 18^th January 2008.

There are 2 ways in which you can have your say:

AVM, in partnership with the Scottish Association for Volunteer Management, is carrying out a short survey to find out how volunteer managers feel about their work.

Encouragingly, the role of volunteer managers is becomingly increasingly recognised, as seen by the reference in the Third Sector review and recent remarks by Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, who said that one of his office’s volunteering priorities is to better support people who manage and train volunteers.

However, little is known about the thoughts and views of volunteer managers. This survey will provide a starting point for AVM and SAVM in our work to champion the role of volunteer managers. Please go to the survey here.

The deadline is 19^th October 2007. The results will be released to coincide with International Volunteer Manager Appreciation Day (1^st November).

Please pass the link on to any of your colleagues who you feel it might be relevant to. If you have any problems with the survey please contact info@volunteermanagers.org.uk

There's some fascinating info in it and well worth a read. Some things that really caught my eye:

- 31% of volunteers felt their volunteering could better organised

- 82% of volunteers feel they never need any advice or support. Of those who do, 94% say it was very (59%) or fairly (35%) adequate.

- 77% of volunteers who incur expenses never get them reimbursed (which seems to have gone up since the 97 survey)

- 3% of volunteers receive some form of payment above and beyond expenses.

- 78% of volunteers aren't interviewed. Worryingly when this is broken down by activity this includes: befriending (57% not interviewed), giving advice, information, counseling (68% not interviewed)

What do people think of this news from Government on volunteering? 

CABINET OFFICE News Release (CAB/074/07) issued by The Government News Network on 5 September 2007

The UK Workforce Hub is now embarking upon a project to review and refresh the Standards for Managing Volunteers to ensure they meet the needs of managers in the voluntary and community sector (for details see here). If you have used or are currently using the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Managing Volunteers - for whatever purpose - we would like your feedback urgently. We particularly want to know:

The Commission on the Future of Volunteering is calling for evidence. AVM has put together an initial draft response to the Commission which is attached. If members wish to feed into the AVM response with their own thoughts and views please respond by Thursday 26th July.

The deadlines for submissions is Tuesday 31st July. For further information about the Commission go to www.volcomm.org.uk