CENTRE WELLINGTON – Priorities have shifted over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and volunteers are finding it more difficult than ever to contribute.
There are many hidden obstacles such as the cost involved in travel, childcare that may be needed while volunteering, and the high cost of living.
New data from Statistics Canada shows most organizations in the non-profit sector are facing challenges related to volunteerism, with 17 per cent of organizations in the country having to cancel programs due to the unavailability of volunteers.
The data also shows 65% of businesses report facing a shortage of new volunteers, 51% face challenges with retention, and 35% say their services are suffering due to a reduction in programs.
Volunteers themselves say they are unable to commit long-term (42%), with many (26%) reporting burnout and stress.
Megan Conway, president and CEO of Volunteer Canada, has seen this trend firsthand.
The member-based organization of 1,100 charities and non-profits across the country has reported problems with recruitment and retention of volunteers.
“If we look at the fact that over 50% of charities and non-profits are completely run by volunteers, it’s a problematic scenario,” Conway said. “Organizations like these need volunteers to provide services and programs.”
She added, “Because of inflation, along with several other structural or societal issues, people are more reliant on frontline services like food banks, shelters, and some of those basic supports that they might turn to.
“For those organizations that are highly reliant on volunteers to deliver their services, there’s a major problem.”
On March 31 the People and Information Network in Guelph closed permanently after more than two decades of service due to funding shortfalls and a lack of volunteers.
Meals on Wheels programs have closed across the country. And in some parts of Canada wait times to join Girl Guides have been as long as two years.
The list of examples goes on.
Brad Mulligan, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Centre Wellington, has also noticed a decline in volunteers.
Despite recruitment and sustainability being top of mind for BBBS officials, adding to their ranks has been a challenge.
“We’ve had a lot of support within the community but certainly have seen a decline, whether that’s through the effects of COVID-19 or changes in the economy, we’re not 100% sure,” Mulligan told the Advertiser in an April 12 interview.
“It’s definitely something that’s led us to become more strategic in regard to volunteer recruitment.”
BBBS still sees success with social media campaigns and traditional media channels, but is looking for ways to expand its initiative.
“There’s a need for outreach, whether that’s holding information sessions or going out into the community and meeting with local partners,” said Mulligan.
“We certainly see the benefit in human connection and more conversational-based recruitment.”
Volunteering for BBBS can mean as little as one hour a week to satisfy the minimum commitment.
With its one-to-one community program, this can be upwards of a few hours every other week. There are currently 30 children on the waitlist for that program.
“We really do strive to connect volunteers with what they’re looking for, what their availability is, and find the program that’s the best fit for them,” said Mulligan.
“We look closely at preferences, whether it’s hobbies of interest, geographical location, preferences for age – we have a methodology and a process that we go through to try to create the most impactful matches possible.”
Conway noted seniors contribute the most in terms of the number of hours worked. Yet there are more individual youths volunteering than any other demographic.
“Senior volunteers play crucially important roles but are aging out of those roles. We need to think about how to engage younger demographics to step into some of those positions,” she said.
Volunteer Canada has shifted toward a more inclusive movement around volunteerism and participation. It is working toward building a research data strategy to better understand the state of volunteerism, as officials believe there’s an opportunity to build strategies that support everyone.
Despite inflation hikes, and other socioeconomic changes, Conway worries that people have taken for granted the importance of volunteering.
“Volunteers are essential to our daily lives, and I don’t think we necessarily tell the story of what the value of volunteering is strongly enough,” she said.
“Collectively, I think we’re at an important inflection point where we need to really think through how we support and strengthen volunteerism across the country.”
