Let's resolve to think differently about volunteering

As I read the many predictions for 2015, I am surprised by how few mention volunteering. But maybe it’s in there if we think about volunteering differently. For years, many have said the term volunteering makes them think of little old ladies supporting their local charity shop. This old-fashioned idea was highlighted in the Tory Minister’s comment “stick to your knitting” - our response to which resulted in SCVO’s most popular blog last year. For Scotland, volunteering in its many forms is part of so many current public policy areas. Land reform and community empowerment bill and participatory budgeting  immediately spring to mind. But as soon as you think about volunteering in terms of participation, this brings in the current debate on a new kind of democracy - a narrative that has particularly emerged after the referendum.

The rise of the sharing economy could have massive benefits for our society

But there is still more. There is a lot of work going on in Scotland to increase diversity in all its forms on boards, for example, through groups like Changing the Chemistry. This includes charity boards.  Here’s the latest from us on attracting new trustees and the importance of young trustees. Of course, there are also implications for volunteering in the health and social care bill and any future Scottish versions of the work and community programmes. Last year saw many initiatives like #GivingTuesday, 67 minutes on Mandela Day and Join in. For me one of the things that brings all these various aspects of volunteering together is technology. SCVO is heavily immersed in this agenda, particularly through our digital participation work, and the potential impact this could have on public services, for instance. But thinking more creatively, the rise of the sharing economy could have massive benefits for our society. Meal Makers is a great example of sharing for social good – although perhaps in the past this could have been called volunteering to cook someone else’s tea. Good Gym is another - keeping fit while helping others. So when we think about New Year’s resolutions, what’s next for technology and volunteering? Or should I say participation, involvement, helping or sharing? I’m not sure bringing all the opportunities together under one banner works for everyone in this day and age. I have heard a number of complaints from potential volunteers who access the main Scottish volunteering website and find nothing of relevance to them there. It’s often much easier to just google something you are interested in, or put a shout out on social media. My prediction for the future – how about we consider behaviour nudging through technology to help others? Or maybe we should just all take the pay it forward approach and all commit to nudge or ask people ourselves to get involved in 2015.