Internet attracting a new breed of volunteer

Claims that Gen Y is the selfish generation could be eliminated with the current batch of 18-24 year olds more likely to volunteer their time compared to their older counterparts at the same age.

ABS statistics reveal that the number of people aged 18 to 24 years who volunteered their time was just 17% in 1995 while in the latest survey completed in 2006 this number had nearly doubled to 30%.

According to Helen Souness, Marketing Director and head of the ëSEEK Villageí (the companyís CSR program), the ease and accessibility of the internet allows a much wider variety of people to look at their options and step up to the volunteering challenge, including younger Australians.

ìWe believe many people would like to do some sort of volunteering activity and contribute something to the community. Letís face it though, with busy lifestyles a reality for most of us, finding the right volunteering opportunity is a must.

ìWeíre hearing stories of many Gen Y volunteers finding opportunities through the site which they would have never otherwise considered, such as a 20 year woman who dedicates time to co-coaching a disabled AFL team,î she said.

Lynda Dave, volunteer co-ordinator for the Childrenís Medical Research Unit and responsible for enlisting volunteers for projects such as Jeans for Genes Day, has had great success in sourcing volunteers through the internet.

The Jeans for Genes campaign is a national one but with our offices based in Sydney it is difficult to find volunteers, particularly interstate. The internet and particularly SEEK Volunteer has been instrumental in putting us in contact with interested people in the Australian community who want to help us raise funds.

ìEach time we submit a volunteer request we get dozens of replies and the majority of them become fantastic ambassadors for the Jeans for Genes cause and volunteer over and over again,î she said.

SEEK, in conjunction with Volunteering Australia has made it easy for people to find a volunteering opportunity that suits them in terms of location, time and area of interest. Whether you have two hours a week to donate or just a one-off day, you can access www.seekvolunteer.com.au (SEEK Volunteer) and narrow your search to these fields.