Volunteers make the world go around

'It's the year of the volunteer but recruiting is tough'

By Craig Skinner (2001)

OTTAWA — The Canadian government is trying to encourage people to get involved in their communities, but the call is often falling on deaf ears.

I was quite shocked to hear a Carleton University leader complaining on the radio this morning that older Canadians aren't volunteering. This is why they have had to produce a conference to teach young people how to volunteer. In fact, it's the young people, the Me generation, who do not volunteer.

My goodness. I have volunteered in a number of fields. I ended up volunteering as a Victim Services Volunteer. Sitting on the Board of Directors of Muskoka's Children's Aid Society. Many of the volunteers are retired teachers, principals, or people working in a field of social justice. 

Nan, sandwiched by Howard (L) and Frank (R)
Habitat for Humanity volunteer Site Supervisors

In my work with Hospice in both Muskoka and Lanark County, I have found many retired nurses who pick up the slack in services. There simply are not enough Personal Suppor Workers (PSWs) or nurses in the field of senior services. Ads abound in local rural newspapers for both to fill vacant positions in Transfer Payment Agencies, like Red Cross, or non-profits, as well as institutional long-term care (LTC) homes. I volunteered as  Family Council chair in my Dad's LTC home, and in an Expressive Arts Therapy Group for children. My husband volunteered delivering Meals on Wheels. We both volunteered at the Habitat for Humanity Build in Bala, Ontario. Many of the volunteers were retirees. Some were in their 70s, like Nan, who was there EVERY DAY OF THE BUILD. 

The number of volunteers in these places would astound you. You see, I burned out caregiving for my parents while teaching, and retired at age 50. I realized, having done so much caregiving for my parents that there was a huge niche that needed filling. Since the healthcare professionals are not there to support caregivers, the volunteers are stepping in. I lost a great deal giving up a career caregiving, and needed to feel as if what I did made a difference. 

There are a great number of seniors living longer, better lives. This great myth of the burdens that seniors will place on health care is appalling. Seniors are living long, better lives. Many serve in a number of different organizations. Canadians aged 55+ are most generous with volunteer hours: A study revealed Canadians over 55 are the most generous with volunteer hours- Macleans.ca 

Firefighter volunteer

In fact...we are out there in droves, far above any other age group. I met people 50+, whose careers/jobs/work (photographer, crafters, artists, etc.) meant that they could carve out some time to volunteer. We have the education, the time and the inclination. We've learned, through our jobs, to be sensitive, we have life skills and experiences. Our generation has learned to be politically correct, we understand cultural differences, ethnic and religious morays. We have worked with  old style leaders and bosses; we know how to handle difficult clients!

The Characteristics of Boomer Volunteers
   • Clear leaders -- in terms of average hours of volunteering compared to other groups
   • Impressive overall participation rates – consistently among the highest
   • Meaningful engagement – boomers look for purpose in their volunteer activities

Myself and Mary - Hospice Muskoka volunteers

   • 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

New research shares practical information for use by volunteer organizations to attract and retain skilled, dedicated volunteers among four specific demographic groups: youth, families, boomers and employer-supported volunteers. (Volunteer Canada Survey)

Coaches volunteer

• Download the Fact Sheet »
• Download the Research Summary Report »
• Download the Full Report »

Respondents in the survey indicated that the optimal formula to engage volunteers strikes a balance between:

• Designing specific, set roles and being open to volunteers determining the scope of what they can offer;
• Being well organized but not too bureaucratic; and
• 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

Organizations reported five common characteristics of their volunteer programs:

Jack and Linda Hutton (Bala) receive awards
from (then mayor) Susan Pryke

    1. Their volunteer base tends to be younger;

    2. Many of their leadership volunteers are older;

   3. More new Canadians are seeking volunteer opportunities;

   4. Most do not have the tools, training, and strategies in place to engage youth, families, baby boomers, 

   and employer-supported volunteers, particularly using a skills-based approach; and

   5. Many do not have the capacity to involve groups

Many cities offer incredibly well-run websites for those looking to volunteer: Volunteer Ottawa.

Volunteer Canada: find an organization near you.

Volunteers make the world go around 

• which offer opportunities to give back to one's community

• the local church ladies, 
• the S.T.O.P. folks on the snowmobile trails
• Volunteers who garden,  
• Meals on Wheels,
• Victim Services,  
• Dignity House Day Hospice (Perth)
• Cranberry Festival
• Hospice home visitors.