This article is a follow-up to a contributed piece last week by well-known former local Peter Sutton.
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Last week, I wrote about challenges faced by the community sector.
It’s an extremely diverse sector, with charities and community groups ranging in size from very small groups, with revenues under $50,000, to the very large groups.
The 11th Annual Charity report reveals that 30.3 per cent of charities are under $50,000. Small charities between $50,000 and $500,000 make up a further 29.9 per cent.
Charity revenues from donations grew between 2022 and 2023 by about 0.4 per cent, excluding a single substantial gift from Andrew and Nicola Forest.
This gift to the Minderoo Foundation largely comprised shares and was worth $4.9 billion.
Many smaller charities rely upon volunteers.
I participated in a forum on Tuesday organised by Council on the Ageing Victoria, and in association with Leadership Victoria and Volunteering Victoria.
There were some interesting statistics.
The majority of us volunteer in one capacity or another. The average age of volunteers is about 57.
Many are still willing to volunteer, but the nature of volunteering is changing.
It’s less rigid now, as volunteers are unwilling or are unable to commit to a fixed rota or regular commitment.
Many are able to commit their time on a casual or ad-hoc basis.
A charity running an opportunity shop, for example, needs to keep it operating. They need to ensure there are people available across the week.
There are other challenges involved.
Governance is a major focus and members, seeking board or committee level representation, have higher expectations placed upon them.
There are reporting obligations as an example.
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission requires organisations to report, with details including officer holders, employees, turnover and other financial details.
The ACNC website states, “All charities — except those with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations — must submit an annual Information statement each year. As part of this obligation, many charities must also submit an annual financial report.”
It later states, “For small charities, submitting an annual financial report is optional. However, the ACNC encourages them to do so.”
Many of the larger charities with hundreds of millions of dollars can afford to maintain professional staff and advisers such as accountants, auditors, actuaries and outside contractors.
Last year, 40 per cent of Australian donations were directed to the 30 largest charities.
In a smaller organisation based upon volunteers or part-time employees, the regulatory burden may seem onerous.
These are the challenges, but the rewards from volunteering are worth it.
There is evidence of better physical and mental health outcomes. Many volunteers experience growth and derive enjoyment and satisfaction from volunteering.
There is the opportunity of social interaction, the development of new skills and the enjoyment derived from helping others.
A number of newspapers print a list of community organisations and contact details.
Many of our towns and cities are serviced by community houses which can provide courses, and social outlets.
They provide services such as helping out with preparation of tax returns and social support for isolated members of our community.
There are challenges facing the sector, yet there are many positives.
There is a suitable role for everyone, of different ages and life stages.
Youth represent the future. Young volunteers learn new skills and gain experience, which is great on a resume. It gives them voice.
Older volunteers have valuable insights and experience honed after a lifetime. Skills that are highly valued.
The philosopher John Donne wrote these words:
“No man is an island. Entire of itself. Every man is a piece of the continent. A part of the main.”
We are all part of humanity as a whole. Part of the whole. Contributing and volunteering benefits us all.
All voluntary efforts are valuable. These include the sports club members who collect money and sell tickets at the gate, those in opportunity shops, the wonderful volunteers who deliver Meals on Wheels, and the parents and community members who provide support in our schools.
Regional communities are often more reliant upon volunteers for emergency services.
The CFA and SES are wonderful examples of community spirit.
In a world where we now seem to exist in silos and digitisation, volunteering provides social cohesion and interpersonal engagement. We are the richer for it.
– Peter Sutton, formerly of Yarroweah and Cobram.