Embark on the next phase of the New Ways of Volunteering project as we reach out to Scout Organizations contemplating, strategising, or already implementing innovative volunteering methods. We aim to foster a dynamic exchange of insights across the European Region, offering dedicated support for launching and sustaining pilot projects. No prior experience is necessary; all that's required is a willingness to explore and dedicate time to the pilot project.
If you want to connect with the team about piloting new ways of volunteering or registering to join the campfire discussion, please complete the short form to provide your details by 31 January at 6 pm CET.
Examples of potential initiatives include:
- Rethink volunteering by introducing more task-based approaches compared to traditional, role-based volunteering. The project may help local groups or districts to re-think their volunteering methods, including gamification/point collection platforms for the tasks solved.
- (Digital) micro-volunteering using online tools for selecting online tasks and creating adapting Adults in Scouting lifecycle for digital volunteers. Pilot projects may test how such an approach contributes to reaching less engaged volunteer groups and offers flexible volunteering opportunities to existing or new volunteer groups.
- Explore volunteer-sharing opportunities between partner associations which may have similar values. This may include sharing volunteers for single events or projects of longer periods without changing their membership.
- Enhance third-party volunteering by establishing cooperations with universities, companies or other entities (e.g. daycares, universities) that would like to explore voluntary service as a learning tool in their organisation.
- Rethink recruitment to target new volunteer groups to offer flexible opportunities beyond current volunteering models and integrate new ways (e.g., digital approaches, micro or task-based models).
- ‘Voluntourism’ by recruiting not-yet-scouts based on the good practice of recruiting ISTs through a help-for-participation framework at large events.
- Research-based projects to explore the definition of a ‘volunteer’: how do these new models and ways of volunteering change the volunteer identity, motivation and engagement? How does it contribute to/hinder Scouting practices?
We will collaborate with the Membership Development and Innovation and Relevance of Programme regional teams as we work towards our overarching objectives.
