All of us would agree that Volunteering is not a strange word in Scouting. It has always been at the heart of our Movement, which continues to thrive on the passion, dedication, and time millions of individuals across Europe offer.
The European Scout Region has set up an international team of volunteers to research and engage Member Organizations in new, flexible ways of volunteering to become more flexible, attractive, and inclusive.
The past few years and the global pandemic have shown us that flexibility and adaptability of volunteering opportunities are essential for the movement to continue growing. This recent change is not particular to either Scouting or Volunteering; it is a transversal and global transition.
The decline of the traditional “one job for life” model and the evolution of modern work trends already known by all of us, illustrate what is actually happening in Volunteering. Let’s break it down and illustrate these new “ways” of Volunteering with examples that everyone recognises:
Remote Work / Digital Volunteering
Digital Volunteering allows people to contribute from any location, at any time. It doesn’t always have to be an isolated experience; it also allows for team collaborations across time zones and borders. We will not go into details about the volunteering tasks one can accomplish, as they are virtually infinite. Still, we just want to make clear that Digital Volunteering is not only for those already digitally skilled (tech-savvy) but also for general everyday Internet users.
Gig Economy Work / Micro Volunteering
Gig Economy Work is short-term, task-based work where individuals take on specific assignments rather than committing to a single employer or role long-term. Micro Volunteering is short-term, task-based and has no continuous obligations. Micro Volunteering allows individuals to contribute based on their availability, skills and interests. Micro Volunteering can be especially attractive for those with a busy or unpredictable work life and limited time but still want to contribute. It is especially attractive for those who are more fulfilled with immediate impact and visible results from their efforts within a short time frame.
Multiple Careers / Skill-based Volunteering
As a result of people increasingly having multiple transitions between careers or roles throughout their working lives and pursuing different side projects, many professionals seek ways to use their varied skill sets for good causes.
Skill-based Volunteering taps into the need for volunteers with experience in specific fields—IT, Design, and Project Management—and allows individuals to apply their expertise outside their primary jobs. It is especially attractive to individuals who wish to use their talents in the causes that they are passionate about.
Last, our favourite is Blended Volunteering, which blends different models and trends.
There is no denying that modern work trends influence Volunteering, and the labour market has long done so: believe it or not, many national legislations on Volunteering were inspired by previously existing labour national legislations.
As the world continues to change, Volunteering continues to be relevant by emerging to meet the challenges and opportunities of our time. By embracing digital tools, flexible models and inclusive opportunities, Scouting is unlocking new ways for all people to contribute.
Help our Team spread the word!
The New Ways of Volunteering Team