Why Do People Volunteer?Why Do People Volunteer?A Discussion With Volunteer Ombudsmen

Presented at: NYS Long Term Care Ombudsman Conference9/25/08 Jody Signoracci Director of Constituency Services NYSOFA

Why Are We Talking About Why Are We Talking About This?This?US Census Data shows volunteers age

65 and older will increase to 13 million by 2020 (an increase of 50% over the next 12 years)

Recognition that tapping into this pool plays vital role in fostering communities and addressing social problems

-expertise, education, knowledge

Volunteer Impact on Volunteer Impact on CommunitiesCommunitiesVolunteers positively impact communities by:

1.being involved in solving key challenges facing

society*?2.contributing to a stronger local economy*?3.experiencing lower incidences of illness*?4.creating a more healthy and vibrant place

to live and work*?

Volunteers are “Social Capital”

*Retrieved from National and Community Service, 2007 City Trends and Rankings

New York Taking Action New York Taking Action Governor Paterson has announced that

increasing volunteerism is among top priorities of his administration

New York has been selected for the NGA Center for Best Practices “Policy Academy on Civic Engagement of Older Adults” (see handout)

Under leadership of NYSOFA- several state and local agencies will work together to increase civic engagement and volunteerism throughout NYS

Why NYSOFA supports Why NYSOFA supports efforts to increase efforts to increase

volunteerism?volunteerism?Benefits are two-fold:1. NYSOFA meets the needs of an agingpopulation by exploring ways to keepthem actively engaged in meaningfulactivities in their communities 2. NYSOFA enhances its ability to provideadvocacy and supportive servicesto vulnerable seniors by increasing their

poolof volunteers who are over the ageof 60

Benefits to Staying Actively Benefits to Staying Actively EngagedEngagedDid you know that volunteers

benefit from: 1.greater longevity*? - living longer healthier lives

2.higher functional ability*? -less physical and mental decline

3.lower rates of depression*? -less isolation and more connection with community

4.less incidence of heart disease*? - increased activity and helping others makes the

heart stronger

* Retrieved from National & Community Services, Volunteering Produces Health Benefits2007

What Ombudsman What Ombudsman Volunteers Volunteers

are Contributingare ContributingIn 2007, more than 1,000 Ombudsmen visited LTC facilities providing advocacy, education and problem resolution

In 2007, volunteers donated approximately 98,929 hours of time to Ombudsman work

In 2007, volunteers addressed approximately 18,428 complaint related issues

-taken from Annual LTCOP Report 2007

Topics for Discussion Topics for Discussion TodayTodayWhat motivates someone to volunteer?

And conversely, what are major obstacles to getting someone to volunteer?

What type of education and outreach efforts are most successful in reaching potential volunteers? What caught your attention?

What type of supports must be in place to retain volunteers?

What do Ombudsmen volunteers like most about being Ombudsman?

Topics for Discussion Topics for Discussion (Continued)(Continued)

What is most challenging about being an Ombudsman volunteer?

What types of incentives could be offered to volunteers to make volunteering more rewarding (monetary and otherwise)?

How much does the current economy effect your commitment to your volunteer role?

How long of a commitment did you expect to make to volunteering, and have you exceeded that commitment (or will you?) Why or why not?

Other?

Why Do You Volunteer?Why Do You Volunteer?I can make a difference:Never doubt that a small group of

thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.    Margaret Mead

It is my civil duty:Never before has man had such a great

capacity to control his own environment, to end hunger, poverty and disease, to banish illiteracy and human misery. We have the power to make the best generation of mankind in the history of the world.    President John F. Kennedy

Why Do You Volunteer?Why Do You Volunteer?For Personal Growth:Without community service, we would not

have a strong quality of life. It's important to the person who serves as well as the recipient. It's the way in which we ourselves grow and develop.    Dr. Dorothy I. Height, president and CEO of the NCNW

It is my spiritual duty:Service to others is the payment you

make for your space here on earth.    Mohammed Ali

Why Do You Volunteer?Why Do You Volunteer?It’s the right thing to do:Volunteers are the only human beings on the

face of the earth who reflect this nation's

compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain love

for one another.

    Erma Bombeck It gives me purpose:When you cease to make a contribution, you

begin to die.    Eleanor Roosevelt

Regardless of your Regardless of your reason:reason:

Thanks to you for all you do!