By Juliano Oliveira
Volunteering Queensland has outlined a Policy Position and Advocacy Plan to enhance volunteering outcomes across the state and challenges for the future.
A new document to reveal actions towards volunteer-involving organisations, including workshops, resources, and online tools, will embrace the necessity of researching the number of volunteering vacancies across the state and comprehend the mechanic behind informal volunteering.
The first State of Volunteering in Queensland Report indicated that more than three million Queensland residents over the age of 18 volunteered in some capacity during 2020, for a total of 900 million hours.
The report also revealed that volunteering contributes $3.6 billion to Queensland’s gross state product, provides a return of $4.10 for every dollar invested, and told that more than 1 in 4 people volunteered from home or online. It is a 15.2% increase from 2019.
Mara Basanovic, CEO of Volunteering Queensland, said the new plan outlines a significant body of work that Volunteering Queensland will be undertaking over the next 12 months.
“Based on State of Volunteering in Queensland data, we will be advocating for a range of initiatives including expos to boost volunteering in regional communities, making background checks more efficient so volunteers can get started sooner, and further research to continue mapping out the challenges and accomplishments of Queensland’s volunteers,” Ms Basanovic said.
“Our state’s community groups and charities rely heavily on the generous support of everyday Queenslanders who volunteer their time and skill. It’s important that these organisations have access to the latest data and research to guide their essential work.”