Volunteers to Improve Services to Children in Latvia

Volunteers to Improve Services to Children in Latvia May 23 rd 2012 Riga Dr. Mark E. Rodgers Marywood University

• Social Work Practice in the USA has a long history and relationship to volunteerism. • A key difference in the USA and Latvia is volunteerism has always been important to American society.

• Having the freedom to organize and participate in volunteer association is vital to a functioning democracy.

• The more citizens involve themselves as volunteers, the closer they come to making the ideas of democracy a reality.

• Even as early as 1835 Alex de Tocqueville while visiting America, noted that the key that enabled Americans to make democracy work was their tendency toward forming volunteer associations.

• de Tocqueville noted these volunteer associations were not only industrial associations but were thousand of other types - religion, moral, serious, futile, very general, and very limited, large and very small.

• Historically, the tendency to form volunteer associations in America began as an effort for survival.

• Groups came together for collective farming, labor sharing, and to assist with building construction. – Example of Amish community even today!

• At first the volunteer efforts did not focus on welfare or charity relief but as the population increased, benevolent societies formed to provide relief to the poor, widows and children.

• The formation of volunteer associations led to the awareness of the increasing need for community social welfare efforts.

• During the 18 th and 19 th centuries, nearly every advance in American society came about as a result of volunteerism.

• • • • Improved transportation Sanitation Communication Fire prevention Public safety Education Fair labor practices Child labor practices Women’s Rights Minority Rights Improved medical care Attention to the destructive effects of alcohol Better care for the mentally ill

• Some scholars indicate that nearly every social need recognized and addressed by the government was first recognized and advocated by some volunteer effort.

• In the 20 th century the focus moved from survival to theme of humanitarianism. Modern day volunteer organizations work toward encouraging the government to act upon the public’s civil alertness and to protect human rights.

• In the USA, we can state, the profession of social work owes it’s existence to volunteerism.

• Volunteers started relief (welfare) societies, children’s homes, day care programs, recreational services, family and child welfare associations, and mental health associations.

• Volunteers preceded social work in almost every field of practice. – For example- The Charity Organization Society (COS) Movement. The movement consisted of volunteers who assisted families in meeting their physical, economic, emotional and spiritual needs.

• As individuals recognized the importance of coordination, assessments and record keeping…. so grew the recognition of the need for professional training in social work.

• However, professional social work training was never intended to replace individual concerns and volunteer efforts.

• Social work as a profession never abandoned it’s ties with volunteerism but the relationship shifted. Social workers develop and deliver systematic and professional services while volunteers provide a hidden safety net.

• Volunteers in agencies help as fund-raisers, educators, office assistants, and drivers. In the children services field they also offer auxiliary therapy in child abuse and neglect programs, counseling or telephone crisis lines, and participating in self-help and mutual aid groups.

• The idea today is that if the volunteer is properly trained and supervised they can fill in and allow professional social workers to focus on more complex cases.

• Part of the separation that occurred between social work as a profession and volunteers was in reaction to a report issued by Dr. Abraham Flexner -an authority on the study of professions.

• Flexner viewed the fields of social work as too numerous and diverse to make up a single educational discipline.

• Since that time social workers have attempted to demonstrate to colleagues, clients, society and most importantly themselves, that social work was and is a profession.

• Today, partnering with volunteers is an alternative way for social workers to develop and deliver services. Social workers must see volunteers as partners in their quest to bring about social change.

• Some social work educators have suggested that BSW and MSW programs need to cover more content on volunteerism throughout the entire curriculum.

• Globally, social work’s future as an effective and valued profession is significantly related to how successful we are in reclaiming our role as partners to volunteers.

• Focusing again on the role and function of volunteers, a 2005 study in the use of volunteers in a medical setting found volunteers could offer informational support, emotional support, assessment support and resource support to clients.

• Examples of these supports included talking with clients, providing activities, doing tasks for clients, escorting clients to other departments or visits and helping with the client’s Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s).

• The key to success was the use of paid coordinators who were responsible for volunteer recruitment, training and allocation to job assignments. Volunteers had to agree to work a set number of hours per week.

• Research has indicated that volunteers must be aware of their limitations and seek appropriate, professional support and/or advice when needed.

• Therefore, volunteers often receive a two week training course including basic counseling skills, listening skills, confidentiality training and an overview of useful community-based services.

Volunteer Involvement • Does your school/agency do a good job reaching out to parents? – Six Key Points – A. Volunteering – B. Parenting – C. Communicating – D. Learning at Home – E. Decision Making – F. Collaborating with the community

In the Area of Volunteering • Goal: Recruit and Organize parent help and support – Gather data to identify all available talent, times and locations of volunteers. – Create a room or center for volunteer work, meetings and resources for volunteers.

• Develop and use a Volunteer Involvement Pledge – To recruit volunteers widely so that they know that their time and talents are welcome. – Make flexible schedules for volunteers – Provide training and recognize contributions.

• Realize that not all volunteering involves direct work with clients. – Building maintenance – Grounds keeping – Fencing – Tree planting – Scrub clearance – Driving skills

Consider Volunteer Opportunities for Families • One of the best ways to bond as a family is to volunteer together • Serving other not only benefits the community but can also enrich family life and begin deep family discussions. – “It is an opportunity to discuss values and what’s important in life. ”

• Volunteering can also help dispel stereotypes. Youth get a chance to spend time with people they might not interact with on a regular basis. – People of a different age, ethnicity or income level.

• Volunteering as a family is a way to teach children compassion, kindness and empathy for others.

• Children who volunteer are more likely to become adults who volunteer. They learn true happiness doesn’t come from the next thing they are going to buy but from doing things that matter.

• Schools and social agencies can promote volunteerism by developing policy statements promoting volunteer activities.

• The purposes of the Policy Statement are to: – 1. Promote volunteer/parent participation in a diversity of roles. – 2. Provide a framework for effective partnerships. – 3. Affirm volunteer/parent participation as a highly desirable aspect of the school/agency. – 4. Acknowledge volunteers/parents as first educators of their children.

• The policies should fully develop: – 1. The responsibilities of the school/agency. – 2. The responsibilities of the volunteers. – 3. The context of volunteer participation. – 4. The scope of the volunteer participation including the support offered to the volunteers.

• Examples of volunteer associations include: – Children’s groups for students who have experienced parental divorce or death. – Compassionate friends-grief support after the death of a child. – Stories to help kids deal with different circumstances. – Griefnet. org- an internet community of persons dealing with grief, death and major loss. – COPE foundation- grief and healing volunteer organization. – Empowering women through self-help groups. – Stress management support groups.

What is a Self-Help Group? • They are also known as mutual aid, mutual help or support groups. They are groups of people who provide mutual support for each other. • The members share a common problem, often a common disease or addiction.

Self Help Groups • Their mutual goal is to help each other deal with and if possible to heal or to recover from this problem. • People are choosing to join with others who share mutual interests and concerns.

Self Help Groups • By 1992, in the USA, almost ONE in three Americans reported involvement in a support group (more than ½ of these were Bible Study groups).

Self Help Groups • Use self-disclosure, members share their stories, stressors, feelings, issues and recoveries. They learn they are not alone. • Some use a professional expert who serves as role model and guides others and instead a peer participatory model which utilizes an empowerment perspective.

Why the New Interest in Volunteers? • The United Nations declared 2001 as the International Year of Volunteers. • Promoting Volunteerism has become part of the social policy platforms of many nations.

Why Volunteers? • Increased interest related to the global debates surrounding “social capital” and “civil society. ” • Social Capital= the networks and norms in society that foster collective action. • Volunteering is seen as an activity that helps to build social capital by fostering trust, coordination and cooperation.

Why Volunteers? • The reconfiguration of the welfare and community sectors of society. Government has been pulling back from the direct delivery of services and relying more on NGO’s and volunteers.

Why have volunteers? • Three strong reasons: 1. It helps build organizational strength; 2. Volunteers have validity that paid staff never have. You promote the association because you believe in it. (It is not just a job!); 3. Using volunteers extends the resources of an organization.

What do volunteers receive? Volunteers gain from their experience. 1. They have a sense of giving back. 2. They can express their values in activities that are meaningful. 3. They will increase their knowledge and learn new skills. 4. They gain personal prestige by building relationships and being affirmed by the clients and the organization.

Guidelines for working with volunteers 1. Match the job to the volunteer. (what skills or knowledge is required? How much time commitment is necessary? What are the benefits to the volunteer?

Guidelines 2. Clearly define expectations (develop detailed job descriptions for each volunteer position. Spell out exact duties, timeframes and the training that will be provided. Who should the volunteer report to? Also describe the purpose of the position, expected outcomes and how success is defined. )

Guidelines 3. Provide appropriate training and information (many volunteers fail to reach their potential because they never receive the training and/or information they need to succeed. Always look at a task from the volunteers point of view. )

Guidelines 4. Assure appropriate follow-up (use deadlines to keep tasks on schedule. Use progress reports to pinpoint early problems. Make it easy for volunteers to report their results.

How to Recruit 1. 2. 3. 4. Publicity Surveys New members Talent scouts-current volunteers to recruit their colleagues 5. Volunteer Job Fairs

Benefits to Volunteers 1. Volunteering connects you to others. – Volunteering allows you to meet others and make your community a better place. – It increases your social and relationship skills. 2. Volunteering is good for your mind and body – It increases self-confidence – It combats depression – It helps you stay physically fit

Benefits to Volunteering 3. Volunteering can advance your career – It provides career experience – It can teach you valuable job skills 4. Volunteering brings fun and fulfillment to your life – It is a fun and easy way to explain your interests and passions.

UN and Volunteering In March 2012 the United Nations held a consultative meeting marking the 10 th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV+10). The meeting resulted in increased solidarity among the volunteer community and strengthened a volunteer coalition.

UN + Volunteerism The increasing important role of volunteers will be highlighted in the “Rio+20” United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development scheduled for June 2012 and the UN Millennium Development Goals Summit and Outcome Document scheduled for 2013. – Reports on good practices in the use of volunteers are being solicited.

The Economics of Volunteers • Involving volunteers can help your organization to achieve a variety of worthwhile benefits. o Supplement staff resources, skills and experiences, thus, adding value to the organization and its work. o Further the agency mission both directly and through supporting the work of paid staff. o Bring distinctive skills and added effort to the organization that would otherwise lie beyond its means. o Allow quick reaction to changing needs or crisis situations. o Experiment with new or pilot programs. o Increase the quality of services or programs you offer. o Provide services you otherwise could not provide. o Provide a more detailed attention to the people you serve. Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Cleveland State University

The Economics of Volunteers • Strictly speaking, none of these activities actually save your organization any money o It is not as if you now have funds available that can be used for other purposes. • In addition, few, if any, volunteers donate their time with the intention of “saving money” for the organization. o It is not a viable motion. o Volunteers consider it unethical t replace paid staff. • Moreover, if paid staff view themselves as competitive with volunteers, the very benefits that you are trying to achieve with volunteers will suffer. Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Cleveland State University

The Economics of Volunteers • Instead of cost-savings, the involvement of volunteers allows organizations to extend and realize more benefit or return on the resources they have available. • Allocating resources so as to get the most productive use from them is called “costeffectiveness. ” • In evaluating cost-effectiveness, we must consider the economic value of the jobs/tasks performed by volunteers as well as the costs associated with involving them. Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Cleveland State University

The Economics of Volunteers Many nonprofit organizations attempt to achieve cost-effectiveness by involving volunteers in such activities as: • • • Clerical Intake Maintenance Support of paid staff Direct service Event staffing

The Economics of Volunteers Nonprofits rely heavily on volunteers, but most organizations do a poor job of managing them. As a result, more than one-third of those who volunteer one year do not donate their time the next year—at any nonprofit. That adds up to an estimated $38 billion in lost labor. To remedy this situation, nonprofit leaders must develop a more strategic approach to managing this overlooked and undervalued talent pool. The good news is that new waves of retiring baby boomers and energetic young people are ready to fill the gap. Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Cleveland State University

Mismanaging Volunteers Good volunteer management practices Percentage of nonprofits that use practice regularly Matching volunteers’ skills with appropriate assignments 45% Recognizing the contributions of volunteers 35% Measuring the impact of volunteers annually 30% Providing volunteers with training and professional development 25% Training paid staff to work with volunteers 19% Source: Urban Institute, Volunteer Management Capacity in America’s Charities and Congregations, 2004. Cited in Eisner, David; Grimm, Robert T. Jr. ; Maynard, Shannon; and Washburn, Susannah. “The New Volunteer Workforce”. Stanford Social Innovation Review, Winter 2009, p. 34. Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Cleveland State University

Volunteers Can Fill Important Roles Nonprofits are using volunteers to fill important roles within their organizations, including the following: §Board of directors §Financial management and accounting §Strategic partnerships §Technology and information systems §Fundraising and development §Legal counsel §Organizational and development and §Administration support training §Marketing and communications §Program and service delivery Source: “The New Volunteer Workforce”, 2009 Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Cleveland State University

Calculating the Economic Value of Volunteers • To calculate the economic value of volunteers, you need two components: – Tracking of the hours contributed by volunteers – An estimate of the hourly value of these activities • Multiplying the number of hours volunteered times its dollar value provides an estimate of the economic value of contributed time. Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Cleveland State University

Calculating the Economic Value of Volunteers • A more accurate method for cost-effectiveness analysis is to use an hourly dollar value estimate based on the actual job or work performed by the volunteers. • This procedure requires an estimate of the hourly dollar value for each of the jobs/tasks performed by volunteers for the organization. • This procedure places added demands on the volunteer management system because it requires job descriptions for each volunteer position and tracking of hours contributed for each position. Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Cleveland State University

Don’t Forget the Costs of Volunteer Involvement for Cost-Effectiveness Analysis • Cost-effectiveness analysis must take into account not only the benefits—economic value—of volunteer involvement but also the economic costs. • Costs of volunteer involvement include those associated with: • • Volunteer administration Training Recognition Screening Space, equipment, supplies Communications Travel Insurance Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Cleveland State University

Statistics on Volunteering 2011 (USA) 1. The volunteer rate of women increased from 29. 3% to 29. 9% in one year. Women continued to volunteer at a higher rate than did men across all ages. 2. The age groups 35 to 44 and 45 to 54 year olds were the most likely to volunteer. 3. Race and ethnicity also played a role with whites having the highest rate.

Statistics on Volunteering 2011 (USA) 4. Married persons volunteered at a higher rate than did those who had never married. 5. Volunteer rates of parents with children remained higher than the rate for persons without children. 6. Those with higher educational levels engaged in volunteer activities at higher rates than did those with less education.

Statistics on Volunteering 2011 (USA) 7. Volunteers of both sexes spent a median of 51 hours on volunteer activities during a one year period. 8. Most people volunteered at one organization (about 70%) 9. Among volunteers with children under 18 years old, most volunteered for an educational or youth service organization.

Statistics on Volunteering 2011 (USA) 10. Men who volunteered were most likely to engage in general labor, coach, referee, supervise sports teams or fund raise. 11. Women who volunteered were most likely to fund raise, collect, prepare, distribute or serve food, tutor or teach. 12. Among volunteers almost 42% became involved with their main organization after being asked to volunteer most often by someone in the organization.

Summary The history of volunteerism continues to be written today as a new generation of world changes is raised up in a nation that believes in philanthropic efforts. The 21 st century causes include green living, animal welfare and equal rights regardless of race, gender and sexual orientation. Many are devoting time and energy toward improving the welfare of those around them.

Thank you for your attention and consider volunteering yourself if you are not currently involved!