Supporting voluntary groups vital in these strange times
Clubs, societies and other organisations need support in these difficult days, says Ian Handford
FOLLOWING the arrival of coronavirus in the UK all public meetings, organised events, social outings and even group meals were banned, making it particularly hard for membership based groups.
A few years ago, while researching an article on charities at the Central Library Torquay, I came across a list of hundreds of associations, clubs, institutions and groups run by volunteers, who gave of their time to organise what might loosely be called “social work” for their members, and even the public, looking for friendship or companionship, or access to events like talks, walks, outings a meal etc, as part of the organisation’s remit.
The pandemic caused a doublepenalty for member-based organisations and volunteers, assisting quasi health or education sectors, sports clubs, theatre groups, libraries and private museums etc, as well as hundreds of independent groups representing every sector of society of all towns and cities of the UK. The disease brought organisations to a virtual standstill, with most cancelling all their 2020 diaried events, which in turn resulted in a “double penalty” not immediately apparent.
The initial penalty came as annual subscriptions were not renewed which for some organisations created financial problems. But the second “penalty” came when the volunteers who had previously given of their time freely to run or manage the organisation, started to walk away because of minimal activity. This is particularly relevant in the case of an Honorary Treasurer, Secretary or Chairman departing, when no successor is found.
Torbay is of course not alone in this regard, although I have to admit to being astonished at finding we had such a large number of voluntary organisations in the district. Prior to the “lockdowns and social distancing” many organisations, including The WI, Probus, Garden groups, History, Health, Environment, Wine Tasting, the Masons and the Round Table, etc, had often used me as their speaker. All the lunch or dinner speeches immediately stopped, though a few organisations have now switched to a more limited form of meeting on the internet. Many groups including my own –
Torbay Civic Society (TCS) – cancelled most of its 2020 events and now, we have no events diaried for 2021 as we await a final end to the pandemic.
For organisations that rely on annual or regular subscription fees, it is essential their members continue to pay these in the New Year, even though another lockdown has commenced, to prove they want the organisation to continue in the longer term, which will give added confidence to the voluntary committees members to remain aboard. It is therefore opportune to thank all volunteers for the past commitment given to their chosen organisation, in the hope it can survive. Subscription income covers what might be called the “hidden costs” which determine whether or not the organisation remains financially viable while keeping its unpaid volunteers. Subscription registers normally bring strength, although in the current “minimal events” situation, they can be a problem.
My own organisation “TCS” set up in 1976 to stimulate the public consciousness and appreciation of Torbay’s history and beauty, has over the years offered a wide range of events, publications and general activities for its members, and we, like all other groups, remain in limbo. Yet it is vital we continue to retain the loyalty and support of our members and our voluntary helpers and the committee.
Hidden costs are already affecting many small organisations, with some having already lost their volunteers. Costs include the production of printed stationery, letters, reports notices, postages and telephone, plus premises expenses when rent, rates, insurance and electricity may be incurred, even though little activity is seen to be done. As an example our “December 2020 Newsletter” (last one 10 months ago), cost us £500 recently – taking into account envelopes, printing costs, labels and postages etc before being posted to members and others. This may seem a large sum but we wish to continue producing literature from time to time in order to keep our membership up-to-date (just 25% of our members have access to internet or email). Other member organisations mirror our situation.
So, my message is – please keep loyal to your chosen organisation/s until this awful pandemic and the lockdowns finally end and your committee and volunteers can return to work again on your behalf. Some formally registered health institutions or advisory groups, including large charities, institutional bodies and churches, may have better access to grants, sponsorship and public gifts. It is the smaller membership groups that rely on subscriptions and a band of volunteers.
Ian Handford is chairman of Torbay Civic Society.
‘It is vital we continue to retain the loyalty and support of our members and our volunteers’