This piece is worth a read. Basically it argues that regulation and red tape is killing volunteerism because you now have to have any number of regulations adhered to for your volunteer activities.

It’s a tricky one. Obviously the public has a right to know that food being served is safe to eat and the child care volunteer you have just left your kid with is not a pedophile. In many ways the public (and lots of lawyers) demand these regulations.

Perhaps the problem is that the assumption seems to be guilty before proved innocent. There is also definitely problems with an over beaurocratisation.

Non-profit organisations, particularly smaller one, should be afforded certain concessions. They don’t have the time or the resources to shift through this red tape. They are also vital to a well functioning society and democracy.

I can’t help but feel that this is related to two different factors, firstly, the Howard government’s silencing of decent. And Secondly the increasing outsourcing of government obligations to non-profit organisations (also a way of silencing decent). So community groups are being reduced to service providers. This is fine for some - quite problematic for most.

As the article points out:

As the volunteer pool shrinks, groups in disadvantaged areas will fail because they lack expertise. As more money is spent on compliance, less will go to the people who need it most and for whom it is raised.

How important is the community sector? Although community work is hard to value, it does greatly improve economic efficiency, and not only by raising funds. The sector retains and uses the skills of retired people and helps others gain confidence and experience they can take into a workplace.

Getting involved prevents people from being lonely and alienated. People find paid work through their voluntary network and generate funds spent at local businesses.

The sector lessens the strain on government through these networks as well as services it provides. There would not be a Country Fire Authority or State Emergency Service without volunteers.