Frequently Asked Questions It has been over fifteen years since Volunteering Australia first launched their definition of volunteering Volunteering Australias previous definition of volunteering ID: 498879
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Slide1
The Definition of Volunteering
Frequently Asked Questions Slide2Slide3
It has been over fifteen years since Volunteering Australia
first launched their
definition of volunteering.
Volunteering
Australia’s previous definition
of volunteering
did not accurately reflect the many and varied ways that volunteers contribute to society. Other States and Territories (including Volunteering Tasmania) had developed more contemporary definitions of volunteering to reflect contemporary volunteering practicesA revised national definition was required to bring alignment across all States and Territories
Why have a new definition of volunteering? Slide4
In 1996, Volunteering Australia agreed to a definition of formal volunteering.
Formal volunteering was defined as:
an activity which takes place through not for profit organisations or projects and is undertaken:
to
be of benefit to the community and the volunteer;
of
the volunteer’s own free will and without coercion; for no financial payment; and in designated volunteer positions only. There were also a number of principles accompanying this definition
What was the former definition of volunteering? Slide5
The Review of Volunteering Australia’s Definition of Volunteering was initiated in late
2013.
A
National Steering Committee was established
to lead the review, containing representatives working in a range of sectors and jurisdictions.
Existing definitions
of volunteering were examined by the Steering Committee, and are summarised in the Issues Paper. National consultation was conducted, comprising:
Release and communication of the Issues Paper
Interviews with key experts in volunteering;
Nationwide information Sessions
National online survey for stakeholders
to have their say on a potential new definition.
The national consultation provided the Steering Committee with a basis to present a recommended new definition of volunteering to the Volunteering Australia Board in June 2015 The Volunteering Australia Board adopted the recommended definition of volunteering in July 2015
How was the new definition developed? Slide6
The new definition provides a nuanced understanding of the way volunteering looks in contemporary Australia.
The new definition allows Volunteering peak bodies to formally recognise, new and emerging trends in volunteering including:
Virtual (digital) volunteering
Emergency /spontaneous volunteering
Corporate volunteering
Events based volunteering
Micro volunteering
What has changed under the new definition? Slide7
The
new definition of volunteering better recognises the many and varied ways Australians donate their time.
The new definition of volunteering captures a wider range of volunteering activities. In doing so, the definition will help us:
Understand the diversity and scale within the
volunteer community;
Understand
the economic contribution of volunteering in society; Recognise and acknowledge a wider range of volunteering activities; and Support a wider variety of volunteering activities.
The new definition will enable us to better support and celebrate volunteering that was unrecognised under the former definition.
What is the point of changing a definition? Slide8
The new definition of volunteering may not impact on the way that Volunteer
Involving
Organisations
(
VIOs) go about their daily duties.
The new definition may, however, enable VIOs to consider:
stereotypes around volunteering; the potential to make volunteering more attractive and accessible; recognition of a diverse range of volunteer roles
In doing so VIOs could consider their workforce/strategic planning around:
Measuring volunteering
Managing
volunteer programs;
Volunteer
insurance; Recruitment and retention
of
volunteers
Will the definition impact Volunteer Involving Organisations? Slide9
Volunteering is undertaken for no financial gain
Volunteers may be rewarded and recognised as part of good practice. This may introduce some small financial element to the volunteering activity or a tangible benefit. This does not exclude the activity from being classed as volunteering.
Volunteers can receive reimbursement of expenses
Volunteers may also receive an
honorarium, stipend or similar payment as recognition for voluntary services or professional services voluntarily rendered, in accordance
with
Australian Taxation Office rulings. What Does ‘Without Financial Gain’ Mean? Slide10
The ‘common good’ refers to an act of volunteering that directly or indirectly benefits people outside the family or household.
A core element of volunteering is that it contributes to community well being. This includes all sectors of society, including (but not limited to):
Arts/heritage/culture
Business/professional/union
Education
and training
Emergency services Environment
Faith-based
Health
International
aid/development
Law/justice/political
Parenting
, children and youth
Sport
and physical recreation
Welfare/community
What Does ‘The Common Good’ Mean? Slide11
Under the new definition of volunteering, political activism can be considered volunteering.
Including political activism in the new definition of volunteering, brings Australia in line with the current United Nations definition of volunteering.
The United Nations considers that activism can be considered as volunteering as long as there is an intention to achieve beneficial outcomes.
The United Nations recognises that activism can only be considered volunteering when it does not involve or incite violence . The principle of ‘do no harm’ is intrinsic to volunteering.
Is Political Activism Volunteering? Slide12Slide13