22 January 2007
by Cat Dean

The introduction of a corporate style of management and training is good for the volunteering sector, according to a survey published today by Volunteering England, the national development agency for volunteers. Over 70% of visitors to the website voted in favour of the controversial move to confer a more professional status on volunteer managers, in spite of fears that this could damage the voluntary ethos of the sector.

The poll is published to coincide with Volunteering England’s Tools of the Trade events to be held in London and Leeds on 24 January and 20 February respectively, which will showcase the activities and offerings of the Volunteering Hub. Those keen to learn more about the resources available to those working with volunteers will be inspired by the series of workshops, including:

An introduction to using the national Occupational Standards for Managing Volunteers
The Investing in Volunteers toolkit
The launch of the Excellence in Volunteer Management training programme. 

Barbara Regnier, Director of Volunteering Management and Leadership at Volunteering England, said:

“In a world where success is increasingly measured by impact and output, it is essential that volunteer-involving organisations have sufficient resources and expertise to operate in a professional manner.

“Although some may object to what they see as a distancing from the sector’s core values, the reality is that professionalisation does not preclude passion. By investing in training and learning from others in the sector, those who work with volunteers can be confident that they are providing a quality service for those who benefit from their work without sacrificing the good intentions that lie at the heart of their cause.”