Australians more likely to volunteer in 2011, says survey

A recent survey by Vodafone has revealed that the number of people planning to volunteer with a charity in the next 12 months had more than doubled from 30 per cent in 2010 to 68 per cent this year.

"There's a generosity gene and this nation has it in spades," social researcher Bernard Salt said.

Those who said they would take part in a community fundraiser this year had risen from 31 per cent to 67 per cent.

Respondents' willingness to help a stranger in need was also up, from 59 per cent to 66 per cent.

Mr Salt said the results reflected "a profound shift in social values" and we've already seen evidence in the massive response to the Queensland flood and cyclone disasters.

More than $212 million has been donated to the Premier's Disaster Relief Fund and more than 80,000 people have offered their time and effort through a hotline set up by Volunteering Queensland.

Mission Australia supported Volunteering Queensland’s post-flood efforts by establishing a call centre in our Sydney Head Office to take calls on the Queensland body’s behalf.

Australia and New Zealand jointly topped the first World Giving Index, compiled last September by the international Charities Aid Foundation. It ranked 153 countries according to donations, volunteering and willingness to help strangers.

"All of a sudden, generosity and kindness are in," Mr Salt said in yesterday’s Sunday Mail. "The world has changed since the GFC.

"Prior to this event and perhaps even prior to recent natural disasters in Australia there was perhaps a tacit approval, almost an admiration of the quality of greed. But that view has now been turned on its head.
"There's a new morality and civic-mindedness. There's almost a spiritual element to it."

According to The Sunday Mail, survey found nearly two-thirds of people (62 per cent) disapproved more of greed than five years ago.

The biggest shift in opinion was among Generation Y - those aged between 18 and 30. But Mr Salt said research showed the volunteering spirit spread across all age groups.

People aged 35 to 44 were most likely to help strangers while Australians aged between 44 to 55 were most likely to help family members in need. Those over 55 did the most by volunteering their time.

About 47 per cent of Australians regularly donate to charity and most volunteers report that donating their time had a good effect their relationships.

Nearly half the respondents in the survey (43 per cent) said they were most likely to be motivated to donate to an appeal after natural disasters.

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If you have any questions about volunteering with Mission Australia, call the National Volunteering Hotline on 1800 110 578 or email volunteering@missionaustralia.com.au