Voluntary Work Today
Marlis Schabacker-Bock, ZAWiW, Ulm
Society changes continually. Globalisation, individualisation, materialistic orientation, change of values, are some of the terms that describe the current developments. These changes affect also voluntary work. The “classical” voluntary work, as it is known for example from church and association work, will be increasingly substituted or supplemented by various forms of civic engagement.
Being aware of the needs
Even when the society is in a state of continuous change, basic human needs remain the same, for example the need for affiliation, security, social recognition, the will to do something useful, but also the need to have fun, joy and possibilities for self-determination. These aspects of the human character can flower out in the wide field of tasks of voluntary work. 
Voluntary work has to position itself today in the context of:
- Globalisation and wish for social anchoring
- Individualisation and preparedness for social responsibility
- Materialistic orientation and wish for meaningful self-fulfilment
- Independence and feeling of security in a community
Adjusting to current developments
In today’s society, decisiveness, flexibility and diversity are required. These qualities condition also working forms and working fields of the future-oriented voluntary work, voluntary work has to change with society when the creative and social possibilities of people should be utilised for the common good. And so even time-limited engagement forms gain on importance, self-realisation and co-determination are important for those concerned. The actors demand consideration of their own needs. When social conscientiousness plays a central role, fun should also be given some space. Aspired is some extent of professionalism that can be provided for example though professional supervision and qualifying measures so that the tasks are carried out well.
This is “out” in voluntary work |
This in “in” in voluntary work |
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Good basic conditions contribute to success
For effective and satisfying voluntary work, appropriate conditions need to be given. This means for example – depending on the individual activities – adequately equipped rooms, availability of needed materials, reliable agreements and the reimbursement of expenses. When needed, professional support from a paid person, for example in the area of project management, may be required. Often made use of are possibilities for further training and exchange of experiences, partly as a way of quality assurance, partly as a reward.
Acknowledgement
Voluntary work is usually done on a voluntary basis, this means without payment. However, other ways of reward should be found in a sense of an acknowledgement culture. To this belong small gestures like words of thanks, the mediation of feeling of being accepted and valued by the respective partners, an invitation to official events and celebrations, and, as already mentioned, also the possibility to take part in training and continuing education. —- Voluntary work has become an indispensable part of socially-relevant work. To strengthen it had become an important task of future-oriented social policy.
Heinz Moosbach
28.July 2009 on 20:40Ich finde das online Magazin von Zawiw sehr schön und gut gestaltet. Bin gespannt wie das weitergeht oder ob das nur eine Eintagsfliege ist. Viele der Beiträge sind doch recht enthusiastisch und scheinen alle davon beseelt zu sein wie toll das Ehrenamt /Bürgerschaftliche Engagement sein soll. Toll, wenn das bei Ihnen alles so wunderbar klappt. Die Realität im Ehrenamt ist aber häufig auch anders – ich will da niemandem auf die Füße treten; aber bis zu dem Idealbild von Frau Schabacker-Bock wird es noch eine Weile dauern. Zumindest gilt das für die Ehrenamtler, die nicht in die Leitungsfunktionen gewählt sind. Der normale Freiwillige sitzt manchmal doch ziemlich auf dem Trockenen. Die Hauptamtlichen sind selten davon begeistert, wenn wir aufkreuzen. Mitreden ist bei denen eher lästig; schließlich haben die in der Sozialarbeit, in der Altenfürsorge oder im Gesundheitswesen selbst genug zu tun. Ich bezweifele, dass das bei wirklich anstrengenden Bereichen, wo der Ehrenamtliche häufig in den Tagesbetrieb eingegliedert ist, wirklich zur Selbstbestimmung mit Mitwirkung reicht. Die Hauptamtlichen wollen eben gerne auch ihre Arbeit machen und wollen eine Unterstützung und keine langen Erklärungen und Betreuungen machen.
Andere Bereiche aber wie die Behindertenselbsthilfe sind nahezu komplett auf das Ehrenamt angewiesen; hier lassen sich eher solche Ideale verwirklichen. Dort scheitert es manchmal aber an der Zuverlässigkeit und Professionalität. Aber die Beratung von Betroffenem zu Betroffenem ist eine ganz ausgezeichnete Sache, wo die Ehrenamtler viel Engagement und Herzblut liefern.
Deshalb muss man sehen, wie die Bedingungen des Ehrenamtes am Ende aussehen. Das Zawiw wird da sicher noch eine Menge gute Erkenntnisse liefern; da bin ich mir sicher.
Heinz M.
Hector Gentile Grosskopf
16.April 2010 on 12:00Although I am already retired as public education professor I keep on teaching, as volunteer, the many ICT resources and services in different older people institutes (60+).
Thanks to this excellent way of information -The LiLL-Interactive Magazine, I have been able to know through its articles, different experiences with similar conclusions about the real meaning of voluntary work.
I agree with all the thoughts expressed in this issue about voluntary work and I think that there is not much more to be said. Besides, I would like to increase my effort to get involved with voluntary work as public good contribution.
This -Interactive Magazine, as newsletter for people in the third age, is an excellent project because, among others, aims at to increase the exchange of experiences in the long life learning for senior education from different cultures which is very enriching.
Congratulation! to LiLL-Team for this project I hope it will be able to arouse the interest of many colleagues and older people