London, UK: Raleigh International, the charity that runs challenge and adventure expeditions, is celebrating the efforts of its 30,000 volunteers on 5 December, International Volunteer Day.  Read article

Hamilton, Bermuda: The Centre on Philanthropy in Bermuda is partnering with the government of Bermuda to make IVD an offical national celebration - Bermuda's inaugural National Volunteer Day. The day, 5 December, will be proclaimed as National Volunteer Day from the steps of City Hall during a special ceremony, which will include government officials, corporate sponsor representatives and charities.  Read article

Fears of being falsely accused of harming children is the major factor preventing Scots from volunteering, and while 69% of adults consider working with children, only 5% actually do, a report claims today. Concerns over the culture of litigation is also a factor when it comes to working or volunteering with young people, a survey by Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People (SCCYP) found. In the poll carried out for the commissioner, 48% of adults said concern about being falsely accused of harming young people is the number one obstacle to becoming a volunteer.  Read article

New Consumer, a UK-based online magazine for "ethical lifestyle, has asked key leaders in the traveling and volunteering industries for their opinion on the ethical issues vs. travelling abroad for overseas volunteering and holidays.  Read article

London, UK: UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown today put volunteering and community activism at the heart of his vision of the "British way of life", matching a commitment to celebrate society's "everyday heroes" with promises of investment in small neighbourhood groups and social campaigners.  Read article

London, UK: A group of companies recently launched, ENGAGE Toolkit, a comprehensive guide to internationalise emlpoyee engagement for companies and NGOs.  Read article

If it looks like a job, quacks like a job, then it is a job. Why give it to unpaid volunteers? Carol Sarler, a former charity trustee, says that one of the lessons she learned is to "resist the entreaties of volunteers in favour of at least minimally paid workers." In this article reposted from the UK daily Times Online, she writes, that "without the mutual discipline of financial contract, you can neither make them (volunteers) do nor stop them (from) doing anything."  What do you think?  Read article

London, UK: Local volunteer organizations in England with plans to involve volunteers in the delivery of health and social care projects could benefit from the latest funding round from the Opportunities for Volunteering Scheme (OFV), a Department of Health initiative that provides grants to local health and social care organizations in England.  Read article

Helping former prisoners to find voluntary work could help steer them away from crime, says Shadd Maruna  Read article

Online communities present opportunities for voluntary groups to engage with new audiences and to build powerful new networks, writes Megan Griffith.  Read article