Volunteer Effort Project
The Orienteering Foundation is sponsoring a review of what we've termed "volunteer effort". We believe that there is scope to provide some additional detailed information to clubs on what might constitute best practice based on detailed research into volunteering approaches both within orienteering and with some input externally. It has not, as far as we know, been well studied to understand it and how the volunteering aspect of the sport can be improved.
Background
Orienteering is very fortunate to benefit from a massive volunteer effort that keeps costs of entry much lower than they would be otherwise and thus makes the sport more affordable to a wider audience. However, there is an anecdotal concern that our volunteers are getting tired and that with an ageing membership, clubs are finding it increasingly difficult to continue to provide activities that they would like to put on. These could include a perceived lack of recognition, concern about being sucked into workload beyond what the individual desires, and lack of appreciation of the enjoyment and satisfaction that can result.
The Orienteering Foundation believes that there is scope through innovation and sharing of ideas to reduce volunteer effort and/or reduce the pressure on key officials without compromising event quality.
Volunteer Effort Project
We are putting together a small group of 5 or 6 people to study this issue in the coming months, meeting from time to time by Zoom. It will be a good opportunity to input your experience of interacting with volunteers and/or using your analytic skills to investigate the issue.
Group remit
- Liaise with the Orienteering Foundation regarding the scope of the review of volunteering effort including defining what comes within the scope of the volunteering project
- Identify and document examples of good practice in dealing with volunteers, and ways to reduce volunteer effort
- Make recommendations designed to improve the volunteer experience
- If appropriate, identify follow-up work that could be considered
- Produce a written report on the group's work and conclusions
Commitment expected of group members
Group members will be expected to participate in a series of Zoom meetings (perhaps 6 or so), each lasting no more than 90 minutes. The dates and times of the meetings will be agreed by the group itself and will be to a schedule that reflects the state of the discussions. Once every 3 to 4 weeks would be typical.
Some work will need to be done between meetings, and a willingness to play a part in some of these will be expected.
Expressions of interest
We would like to hear from anyone who might be interested in participating in a working group to collect and analyse volunteer effort data, ultimately leading to a report with ideas and recommendations which would be distributed to all clubs. Please either complete the online form here, or fill in the Word document here and send to Andrew Evans: email hidden; JavaScript is required. Expressions of interest due by 15th October 2023 (but the sooner the better!).
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