Virtual Volunteering in Australia - a new way to support your community

This article was written for the Rural Women's Network 'Network News' publication and was published in Volume One, March 2004, page 29.

For more information on this network, please visit the Department of Victorian Communities website
http://www.dvc.vic.gov.au/ or email rural.women@dvc.vic.gov.au or phone 61 3 9802 3663

As a busy mother running a business from a home office, I know how difficult it is to fit 'volunteering' into my life. I have lost count of how many sporting and professional committees I have been a part of in the last 15 years, but with an online business, two children six and eight, a husband who works 'executive hours' and a 'friends only' network to provide child care outside of school hours, I know how hard it is to keep up the voluntary roles in my life.

This issue of the RWN newsletter talks about the many benefits of volunteering?.and I am sure that I would concur with all of them. My voluntary roles have provided me with some of the best training, personal development, opportunities and friendships that I have ever had. Now I have worked out how to keep up this involvement in a new way - virtually.

Just over 12 months ago I started up a Yahoo! Group http://groups.yahoo.com. I thought the best way to learn about how these work was to create one. It was surprisingly easy and I tried out all the options and joined a few related to my areas of interest. All you need is an email address. When you join a group, the comments made by people are emailed to you either each time a posting is made or whenever there is a 'daily digest.' I have chosen the 'daily digest' option.

I then receive comments posted by anyone in the group and I can then respond and provide information and advice (only including the part I am responding to in the return email). Everyone then shares this information free of charge and it is a great way to learn more about your hobby or interest. Alternatively you can use them at the local level for all members of your sporting team and then one message will automatically be sent to everyone - you can even set automatic reminders and make the groups 'members only' if you don't want 'unknowns' joining the group.

I prefer Yahoo! Groups to MSN Groups because you don't have to click on a link to read the message. With a dial up connection, you don't want to wait just to read the message. Yahoo! Groups could also be used for any voluntary or professional association and you don't even have to download any software. You can also log on to any computer to pick up your messages or to read past messages.

I have also decided to assist my daughter's Cub Scouts Group by keeping the database of contacts up to date, sending out reminders each week of what to bring to Cubs on Wednesday night (in consultation with the Scout Leader) and set up a basic website for them. With programs like Front Page it is easy to create a simple website and it can be hosted free of charge at http://www.vicnet.net.au. I also plan to research and find out what other groups have done and ask to 'borrow' ideas and suggestions. Again this can be done at any time in the blocks of time that I have available. I can still phone people for more information or once I have gathered all I need, make a time to meet with someone in person rather than have a meeting each week to discuss each part.

I really enjoy getting together for a meeting, but for a recent sub committee, we had two initial meetings and then we did everything 'virtually.' I would prepare a summary of items and then ask each committee member to respond via email. I provided the final update to everyone else. I also prepared information that the people could then forward on to their networks.

This methodology also meant that someone who could not attend any of the meetings was still involved and could contribute. This is a great option for people with a disability, people living in isolated regions or for people who travel regularly but would still like to contribute their expertise.

Imagine the possibility of having several networks in your area all promoting the major upcoming town events or providing weekly updates of your sporting team's progress to friends and family or team sponsors. It is simple and low cost and helps keep your organization 'front of mind' even if the people on the mailing list don't read the email in full, they are still reminded that you are 'there.'

Virtual methods do not replace personal contact (although Yahoo! Messenger with a speaker, microphone and webcam is more interactive than email - this does require a software download and is not entirely available for Mac users).

It is still important to meet in groups, share ideas in discussion and get 'out of the house.' I use virtual options to keep me in the loop, learn new ideas and technologies and maintain relationships.

I also volunteer 'at' an activity rather than at a time separate to the activity. For instance, I am happy to cook and bring something or serve it up and pack up at an event but I rarely have time to help people set up beforehand because the children are quickly bored if they are not included in some way. This means I can still volunteer face to face at a time that is convenient and other people with more flexible arrangements can contribute at those other times.

Virtual volunteering allows me to contribute in my own available time, in new and exciting ways. It is also a more productive use of my time. A meeting for 30 minutes in the city means I can be away from home for nearly three hours (allowing for public transport delays, timetables etc) - imagine how much work I can do in three hours on a virtual basis...

Feel free to contact me personally if you would like any other ideas or suggestions.

Other references

If you are looking for other information on voluntary organisations in Australia, you may like to visit the following websites:

Australian VolunteerSearch http://www.volunteersearch.gov.au

Australian Volunteers International http://www.australianvolunteers.com

Australian Aid http://www.ausaid.gov.au

Volunteering Australia http://www.volunteeringaustralia.org

Volunteering Victoria http://www.volunteeringvictoria.com.au

Go Volunteer http://www.govolunteer.com.au

Global Volunteers http://www.globalvolunteers.org

Infoxchange Australia http://www.infoxchange.net.au is a not-for-profit social enterprise company focusing on community development using Information Technology as the primary tool to create positive social change.

Pro Bono Australia http://www.probonoaustralia.com also runs the website
Volunteer Match http://www.volunteermatch.com.au

Philanthropy Australia http://www.philanthropy.org.au

Our Community http://www.ourcommunity.com.au

Sue Vitnell BBus AIMM
Founder
Newcomers Network
suevitnell@newcomersnetwork.com
14 February 2004

Shortly after I wrote this piece, I found the following article linked from another website - reprinted here with the permission of Donna Fisher, first published at http://www.onlinebusinessnetworks.com/archive_20030902.htm

Virtual Volunteering

by Donna Fisher published 2 September 2003

David Teten, Donna Fisher, and Scott Allen are co-authors of The 5 Keys to Building Business Relationships Online. Archives of past sites and tips are available at http://www.onlinebusinessnetworks.com

One of the best places to network is in volunteer organizations. Besides putting your skills to good use at a cause you believe in, you demonstrate your expertise and commitment to other like-minded individuals, who may become, or refer you to, prospective clients, partners, or employers for you.

Non profit organizations all over the world are benefiting from the addition of virtual volunteer opportunities to their volunteer programs. With these online opportunities, volunteers often find that they have more time to give because there is no travel time required and they can often be even more efficient in their own environment. Listed below are some of the types of projects that are easy for virtual volunteers and valuable for the organization.

Typical virtual volunteer job opportunities:

• Web development - an online community must have a strong web presence designed to provide maximum ease and efficiency of participation
  
• Translations - with global online networking there is more and more need to have websites, press releases and other literature available in numerous languages so that diverse communities can connect
  
• Writing press releases - writing and sending press releases online can make the difference in a cause getting public attention and support
  
• Writing and Proofreading - Sites that want people coming back on a regular basis have to keep updating their information and must make sure everything is accurate and professional
  
• Graphic design - graphics are compelling and help to paint an emotional picture and create a powerful image of the problems and solutions addressed by online communities
  
• Research - if you love to surf the internet, you'll love this. And you'll be generating valuable information for a good cause
  
• Track legislation - if you are fascinated by the ins and outs of government, you could be a valuable resource for a non profit advocating legislation to further their cause
  
• Creating online forums - these organizations need people who are tech savvy to host chat rooms, create online forums, develop blogs and other internet activities
  
• Writing emails - you can be a valuable resource by helping to respond to the many emails that these online communities are generating
  
• Generating sponsor support - utilize your sales, marketing, and negotiation skills to get sponsorships, support and alliances that help further their cause
  
• Database management - you can help an organization be more efficient and effective with their online contacts
  
• Professional advisor - if you have legal, financial or management expertise, you could be a valuable on call advisor or member of a virtual advisory board
  
• E-zine and newsletter development - Making regular contact with members of an online community are vital for it's longevity
  
• E-mentoring - depending on your background and expertise, you might be a great e-mentor at an executive, management or leadership level; or as an e-mentor for volunteers in the organization or the people served by the organization.

Some people don't like to donate their services, thinking that it somehow devalues them. In truth, there is nothing that demonstrates the value of what you do more than to put it to good use for a cause you believe in.

Donna Fisher
http://www.donnafisher.com/

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