05 July 2023 | 5218 Times Viewed
The Importance of Volunteering for Civil Society Organizations
The concept of volunteering has emerged by intertwining with traditional beliefs and community customs in many countries. It is possible to observe different manifestations of the phenomenon/concept of volunteering around the world.
The word "volunteer" was first used in pre-Islamic and post-Islamic Turkish states to refer to auxiliary forces that joined the central army based on the principle of volunteering. Later, the volunteer movement emerged mainly in the form of activities inviting people to Islam, meeting humanitarian needs, and addressing public works. On the other hand, in the 12th and 13th centuries, while 500 hospitals were established by volunteers in England, in France, the term "voluntaire" was used in the context of enlisting in the military as a "volunteer." In our geography, the concept of volunteering entered our lives with the word "Gönül" (heart) and has expanded over time, encompassing different topics and dimensions to the present day. The frequent mention of the word "Gönül/könül" in Kutadgu Bilig, one of the foundational texts of these lands, clearly expresses that this concept represents one of the most valuable messages our culture conveys to humanity and reflects a deeply rooted stance as a behavioral model.
From a conceptual perspective, there is no universally agreed-upon definition of volunteering. However, the definition provided in the 2018 report by the United Nations can be considered valid in this regard. According to the report, volunteering is defined as "activities carried out by an individual of their own free will, motivated by non-material incentives, for the benefit of individuals and/or other living beings outside their family or close circle."
Volunteering provides significant benefits at every level, from individuals to society. Additionally, it constitutes an essential resource for organizations.
Individual Gains: Volunteering instills self-confidence in individuals during their period of involvement, provides opportunities to discover and develop new skills, and contributes to their career while expanding their social network. A volunteer gains social status by playing a role in solving a societal issue, becoming an integral part of the community. The individual experiences a sense of fulfillment after engaging in volunteer work. This can also be explained using Maslow's hierarchy of needs, specifically the self-actualization level at the top. Volunteering, at its core, is an altruistic act/emotion. The exposure to different segments and cultures of society through volunteering provides undeniable contributions to intellectual transformation and maturity.
Societal Gains: A widespread culture of volunteering signifies the presence of a sustainable philosophy and understanding of goodwill within society. Volunteering contributes to the spirit of collective effort and solidarity, raising awareness of and delivering services to hard-to-reach communities in need. As an essential example of social participation, which is a requirement of democracy, volunteering fosters empathy and mutual understanding among individuals in society. Studies show that the contribution of volunteering to development is increasing steadily.
Civil society organizations have two primary sources of power: the ability to raise funds and the capacity to engage volunteer human resources. Recognizing this power is especially crucial for small and medium-sized CSOs, as it significantly eases their operational burden. Every new volunteer brings fresh ideas and energy to the organization. This is a great opportunity to prevent stagnation and keep institutions dynamic, young, and vibrant. CSOs with a large number of volunteers can establish stronger and more consistent engagement with society. The presence of a volunteer network that ensures visibility in critical moments and disseminates campaigns free of charge is a significant advantage for organizations. Volunteers are indispensable in combating and counteracting possible negative perceptions or misconceptions about CSOs. Since volunteers know, monitor, and actively participate in the organization, they are the best advocates of its mission.
Looking at global trends, CSOs are moving toward a "fewer professional staff, more volunteers" human resource model.
Based on this approach, CSOs generate significant value through volunteers who provide thematic expertise in specific fields. Organizations with more volunteers can allocate the budget they would otherwise spend on professional staff to expand their activities and reach a larger number of beneficiaries. CSOs that adopt this approach as their primary working model stand out as successful organizations both in Turkey and globally.
CSOs should never forget that every volunteer is valuable and should be properly engaged. They must develop a volunteer management system tailored to their scale, field of activity, and conditions, ensuring a sustainable relationship with their volunteers. The survival of a CSO fundamentally depends on the active participation of its volunteers.
Arif MUŞTU
PhD Student in Business Administration, Istanbul Ticaret University
Volunteer Management Director, Turkish Green Crescent Society
The ideas expressed in this article belong to the author and may not reflect STMÜ's editorial policy.
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