Skip to main content

What are you looking for?

Enter keywords to search across resources, guides, training, tools, and more.

Create an account for suggestions personalised to you and your organisation

Research and Reports
1 minute read

The Social And Economic Sustainability Of WA’s Rural Volunteer Workforce

Meeting National Standards and Strategy Seal Meeting National Standards and Strategy What's this?

Understanding Rural Volunteering in Western Australia

This report explores the vital role volunteers play in keeping rural communities in Western Australia (WA) thriving. It looks at the social and economic benefits volunteers bring, with a particular focus on women and parents of young children who give their time freely.

Challenges Faced by Rural Volunteers

The report acknowledges the challenges volunteers face, such as managing their workload, balancing commitments, and avoiding burnout, especially in crucial roles. It highlights the importance of everyone in the community sharing responsibility and planning for the future to keep volunteers engaged.

Why Rural Volunteering Matters

The report underlines how essential volunteers are for the very survival and character of rural communities. From running essential services to supporting sports and education, volunteers are the backbone of many rural areas. However, the report also identifies difficulties, including increased regulations, funding issues, and attracting younger volunteers.

Recommendations for a Sustainable Future

To ensure rural volunteering in WA continues to flourish, the report suggests changes to policy, improved strategic planning, and further research into volunteer demographics and the challenges they face. It also calls for better data collection on volunteer participation and increased support for volunteer organisations.

Summary

This research emphasises the need for ongoing efforts to guarantee the long-term health of rural volunteering in WA. By recognising its importance to the social and economic well-being of rural communities, we can ensure these communities continue to thrive.

Benefits for Volunteer Organisations and Volunteer Management Practitioners

  • Understand the motivations and challenges of rural volunteers, particularly women and parents.

  • Gain insights into strategies for reducing volunteer burnout and increasing community responsibility.

  • Learn about the importance of volunteer participation for the survival of rural communities.

  • Discover recommendations for policy changes, improved data collection and increased support for volunteer organisations.

AUTHORSKirsten Holmes, Amanda Davies, Leonie A. Lockstone-Binney

PUBLISHEDFebruary 2019

PUBLISHERBankwest Curtin Economics Centre

ISBN978-1-925083-91-0

NUMBER OF PAGES62

EDITION22/19


Downloads and sources

More about the authors






Contribute to the Gateway


More like this

Resources

Organisation and Management Structures

This guide explains organisational structures, including levels of authority, boards, CEOs, and volunteer leadership.
1 minute read
The Knowledge Base, Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA
Weblinks

International Volunteer Manager’s Day (IVMDay)

Celebrated annually on November 5, International Volunteer Managers' Day (IVMDay) is an annual event dedicated to recognising the important work of Volunteer Engagement Professionals.
1 minute read
International Volunteer Managers Day (IVMDay)
General
Resources

Volunteer Conflict Resolution

This guide helps volunteer organisations manage disputes effectively, fostering positive volunteer experiences.
1 minute read
The Knowledge Base, Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA
GoodCompany
Tech

GoodCompany

GoodCompany is a Workplace Giving Platform based in Australia and NZ. It's designed to enable companies and their people to come together to donate, volunteer, fundraise, and match donations for the charities closest to their hearts.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management Donations
MyPass
Tech

MyPass

MyPass is volunteer onboarding and compliance management software centred around a digital Skills Passport, designed to help volunteer involving organisations (VIOs) reduce their risk and cost of operations.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Resource management Event management
Emergency Support Volunteering website
Tech

Emergency Support Volunteering website

The Emergency Support Volunteering website allows volunteers in Western Australia to register to help in emergencies, organisations needing support can also register to contact volunteers for assistance.
Volunteer database Recruitment Reporting
scheduled

National Standards Deep Dive: Standard 8

Take a deep dive into Standard 8 of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
The Centre for Volunteering
Free
scheduled

Panel Discussion: Reward and Recognition for Retention

Join us for a panel discussion on Standard 7 of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
The Centre for Volunteering
Free
scheduled

3Rs: Recruitment, Retention, and Recognition

Participants will use the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement to develop or improve an existing volunteer program so that they can successfully recruit, retain and recognise the important contribution volunteers make; leading to longer retention rates and a healthy workplace culture.
Volunteering Victoria
FREE