Canada Volunteerism Initiative - Final Report
Recommendations
Research and Innovative Projects
Seventy-three percent of all volunteer effort in Canada is provided by only seven percent of all Canadians. We need to further our understanding of why this is the case. We need to find out why Canadians do, or do not, volunteer. What factors or practices encourage and sustain volunteering? What are the best ways to recognize and celebrate volunteer contributions?
A thorough analysis of research needs related to volunteerism was carried out during 2001, the International Year of Volunteers, and many serious knowledge gaps were identified. As well, an environmental scan on volunteering and improving volunteering, carried out for the Joint Table in the spring of 2001, identified several areas in need of further investigation, including the social and economic value of volunteering to volunteers, the community, and the government; the nature of the demand for volunteers; and employer support for volunteering.
A sustained investment in research on volunteerism will increase our understanding of volunteering and allow for the development of tools, resources and methods that enhance the ability of Canadians to participate as volunteers. As well, the results of the research must be made available to those who need it. This can be accomplished through the volunteer resource network outlined earlier.
There is an equally urgent need to develop and test new methods for encouraging, sustaining and supporting volunteerism for the future. Community organizations need support to try out locally relevant strategies that will strengthen volunteerism and community engagement.
Pilot projects could focus on important population segments such as youth and seniors, and enable groups such as Aboriginal peoples and new Canadians to develop culturally appropriate strategies for their communities. What is learned from successful projects could then be more broadly applied throughout Canadian society. These approaches will encourage a stronger link between research, learning, and knowledge application, leading to more concrete results.
- It is recommended that resources be dedicated to analysis and research that will improve our knowledge about, and understanding of, the dynamics of volunteerism in Canada, and that the resulting knowledge be clearly presented and broadly disseminated.
- Further, it is recommended that resources be dedicated to enabling innovative pilot projects at the community level.
