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
In autumn 2024 we put putting together a small group of to study this issue. The group has met from time to time by Zoom, drawing on their varied and collective experience of interacting with volunteers 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
Outputs
On of the key outputs so far has been the design and running of a survey of orienteers on their experiences of volunteering. See We need to hear from YOU! for more details.
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