Cormac Russell’s Post

Fully agree that volunteering is just one part of community building. But I don't think it follows, as some of the comments seem to suggest, that volunteering is therefore about completing institutions' to-do lists. It sometimes is, for sure. But it can also be about many other things too - for example, small climate action groups tackling national or global issues, active allyship and a host of other things. And whilst in some cases it is one way, doing 'to', and depleting, it many other cases, the act of participating collectively for a larger purpose, outside your job, is transformative for the individual. And it can be a great route into this kind of experience for people too. I guess that volunteering covers a large array of things, and often people pin the meaning they want on it... (and that includes politicians, who often co-opt volunteering!)

Brilliant statement, great reminder, and accompanying photo Cormac Russell

This is such a powerful insight. There is something for me at a linguistic level in the grand nouns "volunteer" and "volunteering" that can so easily get in the way of the more humble verbs of relating and building community: the identity can obstruct the relationship, maybe?

There's a big philosophical, cultural and attitudinal difference between volunteering as part of a community self-help project where everyone is empowered to work in collaboration for the benefit of the whole community (also found within cooperatives and community-owned businesses); and volunteering as a charitable act or part of a philanthropic initiative to benefit people in need. The former is reciprocal and transformative for the community while the latter is unidirectional and improves the situation of the beneficiary. Both are equally important, but charity ALONE can only relieve poverty, suffering etc in the short term and when applied in abundance often undermines beneficiaries' ability to help themselves. A community self help initiative which values and involves those beneficiaries as actors/volunteers even in a small way can empower them TOWARDS self-belief, self-help and self-reliability. imo

Volunteering Australia (VA) Volunteering Victoria MIA self-directs and funds its community engagement at Wyndham Repair Cafe in Melbourne. It is not interested in being voluntold, especially when an organisation's values do not reflect MIA's Legacy Project's goal and objectives. We agree with Dan Duncan as follows: "Volunteers are often recruited to do an institution's to do list. Rather than supported to engage in their passions. Institutions should not ask people to join their work but rather find ways to support resident action." Shared this post to Twitter @MendItAussie

“There are a number of ways that we can make a difference to the community in which we live. Creating dialogue, intercommunity conversation, engaging with local politicians are some ways. But one of the most effective is to look at the strengths of your community and find ways of building on those strengths from the bottom up. Cormac Russell uses Asset-Based Community Development/ABCD. This approach challenges the traditional deficit-based approach that tries to solve urban and rural development problems by focusing on the needs and deficiencies of individuals, neighbourhoods, towns, villages, etc. In this webinar Cormac Russell takes us through the process of ABCD and what steps we can take with others to build a vibrant and self sustaining community.” #ABCD is a great way for #CommunityBuilding combined with #PAR it really is like RocketFuel still remember Evert Jan van Hasselt quoting you on that!

Also, “volunteers” often act as an extension of the institution.

Too true. There are no volunteers in a disconnected community, only free labour working for the services.

Neighbour to neighbour civic action is key to your well being and health. Chatting on the street or sharing a cup of sugar or organizing a street party are ways to connect each day. Be brave this week. Say Hi! Wave to the kids you pass by. Stop and enjoy the garden. Create a chalk hop scotch on the sidewalk. Blow bubbles. Smile. See what happens.

Volunteers are often recruited to do an institution's to do list. Rather than supported to engage in their passions. Institutions should not ask people to join their work but rather find ways to support resident action.