Changing labels –understanding and recognising different volunteering approaches.

During the rampaging effects of the COVID pandemic, differences in the ways people volunteer have become more apparent and deserving of recognition. There are both organisational and cultural influences at play that contribute to these differences, highlighting that the labels of Informal and Formal volunteering that have been traditionally used, do not recognise, or demonstrate understanding of how community volunteering is actually conducted.  The volunteerism in two organisations (one faith-based and one Victorian government), were explored in this study that was funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing through the local Brimbank Melton area. Analysis of the outcomes suggests that the terms Fluid Volunteering and Role-based Volunteering, better reflect the different approaches to volunteering in our communities.

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