February 20, 2011: International News From the Field

20 February: The Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration (MAVA) has released its 2011 survey report, “The Status of Minnesota’s Volunteer Programs in a Shifting Environment.” As Minnesota is gradually coming out of the recession, MAVA conducted a follow-up study to its 2009 report on the status of volunteerism and volunteer programs during challenging economic times. In late 2010, 350 leaders of volunteers and nonprofit managers across the state responded to a survey. Six themes emerged in the findings:

1. Volunteers have a real impact in tough times.
   • 30% reported volunteers helped preserve organizational services.
   • 54% reported increased reliance on volunteers compared to two years ago.
2. Volunteering plays an important role for the unemployed.
   • 66% of those organizations experiencing increased inquires about volunteering indicated the increase was primarily driven by unemployed people.
   • Job seekers are reportedly gaining references, skills, contacts and other benefits through volunteering.
3. Volunteer interest is still high.
   • 50% of organizations reported that volunteer hours have increased compared to a year ago.
   • 33% experienced increased numbers of inquires from potential new volunteers.
4. Volunteerism practices are being updated to meet interests of today’s volunteers.
   • 58% involved volunteers in new roles and positions in the organization.
   • 48% increased flexibility of when volunteers can volunteer.
   • 42% asked volunteers to use their professional or workplace skills.
   • 35% involved volunteers in leadership positions or managing projects.
5. Few have experienced benefits from the start of the economic recovery.
   • 81% reported the economic downturn has affected the volunteer program in one or more ways.
6. There is less concern over volunteers replacing staff than expected.
   • Only 6% reported that program staff indicated they perceive volunteers as a threat to their jobs.

This MAVA initiative, “A Time to Be Bold,” offers colleagues everywhere ideas for “transforming to engage volunteer capitol in new ways.” The report also shares the creative strategies organizations have developed to respond to the shifting environment.

The survey Executive Summary, the Full Report, and the original 2009 Survey are available at www.MAVANetwork.org/ShiftingEnv. 

MAVA is using the survey results to hold symposiums and work sessions where leaders of volunteers can learn cutting edge solutions in the current climate. A Survey Release Webinar will be held on March 14, 2011 at 1:30 p.m.  Contact Mary Quirk at mquirk@mavanetwork.org or 651-255-0469 to hear survey results and discussion. 

Funding for the survey was provided in part by the F.R. Bigelow, Otto Bremer, and St. Paul Foundations.