Community Volunteer and Sporting Club Sustainability Program
In the 2021 – 2025 Community Vision Plan under the guiding theme of Community, Council committed to strengthening the fabric of the community to enhance the quality of life of residents and maintaining strong and active communities as the foundation for future growth and wellbeing.
Having identified that volunteering is on the decline and according to the ABS, volunteer numbers across the district fell from 35.5% in 2016 to 27% in 2021 correlating to a total reduction of 326 people.
With a total of 129 community groups and sporting clubs that heavily rely on volunteers, this decline is having an impact on project, program, and service delivery.
Recognising that the decline in volunteer numbers and the impacts it has, Council committed to through the 2022/23 Annual Business Plan the development and implementation of a succession plan for long term sustainable community volunteer programs.
To achieve long term sustainability and build resilience a Community Development Officer was appointed to develop a program around sustainability and resilience.
A community groups and sporting club needs analysis, via a survey was undertaken to identify the gaps that existed and to determine the areas or priority. Clubs, community groups and their members were all invited to have their say, which will guide Council on the development of a succession plan for long term sustainable community volunteer programs.
Key themes emerged throughout the survey and will guide and assist Council in the development of a plan to increase skills, knowledge and in turn set the foundation for long term sustainability.
- Volunteering – recruitment and retention
- Funding – Fundraising, Grant Writing & Seeking grants and funds.
- Marketing – Raising awareness to their club and events and activities
- Governance – Understanding and maintaining good governance
- Leveraging – Training, events activities and programs
Community Engagement was undertaken from 24th October 2022 – 16 January 2023.
The community was asked to provide feedback and insights on governance, operations, membership, volunteer management, fundraising, infrastructure short- and long-term challenges, future goals, and aspirations.
The report outlines the responses and feedback obtained from the survey.
Get in touch
Contact Council’s Community Development Special Projects Officer
Phone: 1300 7850 277
Email: council@coorong.sa.gov.au
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