|
|
|||||
|
|||||
| Path: Main Street : NewsWeek : Op/Ed : Audience Opinions |
One third of Canadians between the ages of 25 and 44 view themselves as workaholics, according to a new report from Statistics Canada. Results of the 1998 General Social Survey also show that married mothers who work full-time cited the highest levels of time stress, with 38% reporting that they don't have enough time for family and friends.
What are the implications of these findings for volunteer managers and fundraisers? Is it getting harder to recruit volunteers from this age group? Are your fundraising solicitations going unheard or unread because people don't have time to read them?
Here where I work the executive director has stressed how interested she is in attracting younger "boomer" volunteers. There is already a lot of evidence that volunteering impacts on health in retirement so I understand how it links with the mandate of a health care provider. But what I see is that that age group volunteers for issues related to them, either to gain experience in their field (current or future), issues related to family (sports, education) or to gain profile and networking in the community. That isn't exactly the kind of volunteer that would help a senior get groceries once a week. I have created more high level volunteer positions and attracted working women, but not for long since they either get too busy or want more time with family. Average commitment is 5 months or so, at a half day per week.-- Elizabeth Lowenger, CLSC Rene-Cassin
Our organization has difficulty recruiting younger volunteers and our older volunteers do not do much. They are of the school that it is just enough to have a name within an organization. At the same time, they are not ready to accept the vibrant, inspiring ideas of the younger generation.Time is the biggest culprit. Today's society is competitive and leaves no room for other activities. Adults of today have to work hard in order to stay ahead in the corporate world, leaving no time for family life.
Volunteerism is the thing of the past. Governments have replaced the volunteer sector in many aspects. Now that their resources are slowly depleting, we the people of the community need to train the current generation about volunteerism. Individualism must be slowly replaced with the spirit of community and friendship and this is the first step that needs to be taken.
It is vital that we spread the meaning of volunteerism and the benefits attached to it. This will then, inspire people to join. It is only through word of mouth, media and the internet that this can be done. It can be done. We must......... We can.
-- M.Bhaga, Chinmaya Mission Halton Region
|
|||
