an exploration of the views of volunteers in outdoor recreation within a social economy framework
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An exploration of the views of volunteers in outdoor recreation within a social economy framework. Carrie McClelland Candidate MES in Nature-based Recreation School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON. Volunteering: - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
An exploration of the views of volunteers in outdoor recreation within a social
economy framework
An exploration of the views of volunteers in outdoor recreation within a social
economy framework
Carrie McClelland
Candidate MES in Nature-based Recreation
School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism
Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON
Carrie McClelland
Candidate MES in Nature-based Recreation
School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism
Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON
Background InformationBackground Information
Volunteering:• Volunteers willingly and freely contribute
service without financial gain.• Understanding of people helping people
(Henderson, 1985)
• Core concept of social economy (Wilson, 2000)
• Volunteers at foundation of social economy organisations (Painter, 2006)
Social economySocial economy
Market
Capitalist Firms(Private Sector)
The State(Public Sector)
Social Economy
Research QuestionResearch Question
What are the views of volunteers in outdoor recreation regarding their
contributions to personal and community well-being?
How do these aspects relate to the social economy?
Whitehorse, Yukon TerritoryWhitehorse, Yukon Territory
52% of Yukoners volunteer (higher than national average)
5% of population involved with recreation groups
41% of documented recreation groups are related to outdoor recreation
Data CollectionData Collection
Qualitative study Case study: outdoor recreation volunteers 13 exploratory interviews with adult volunteers in
outdoor recreation 30-50 minutes in length Digitally audio recorded, transcribed, retuned to participants 10 participants replied with small grammatical corrections
Additional city publications Essential Guide to Services in Whitehorse 2007 2007 City of Whitehorse Parks and Recreation
Management Plan 2007 Active Yukon Monitoring Database
Researcher PositionResearcher Position
Community outsider and unfamiliar with the volunteering community in Whitehorse
Participated in volunteer-led hikes, birding, rock climbing, ultimate frisbee.
Volunteered with the Whitehorse Triathlon, Yukon River Quest, and over 80 hours at Yukon Volunteer Bureau
FindingsFindings
The nature of volunteering
Financial relief
Funding
Organisational politics
Recruitment
Time management
Volunteer burnout & coping
Small community of volunteers
Feelings of responsibility
Pressure to volunteer
The ripple effect
It’s just good
Involvement in community
Health & well-being
Education & awareness
Fulfilling community needs
Giving back
Skill donation
Providing opportunity
Services & activities
Freedom
Employment & volunteering
Family
Way of life
Relationship building
Rewards & reciprocity
Skill development
Awareness & learning
Lifestyle and sense of identity
Personal benefits
Community benefits Pressure The influence
of money
Lifestyle and sense of identityLifestyle and sense of identity
“I just say: This is how I live. But if you’re already living that way it’s not a big deal.” (Mike)
“Volunteering is volunteering. I will do it and it’s just one of those things…I will die a volunteer.” (Judy)
Rewards & reciprocity
Family
Freedom
Way of life
Employment & volunteering
Lifestyle
Relationship building
Skill development
Small community of volunteers
Personal BenefitsPersonal Benefits
“I just wouldn’t have been exposed to this at home. It’s opened my eyes to what is possible and what you think is possible.” (Hayley)
“I used to volunteer in that respect because I just loved to be outdoors” (Judy)
Fulfilling community needs
Skill donation
Freedom
Family
Way of life
Employment & volunteering
Awareness & learning
Relationship building
Skill development Rewards & Reciprocity
Personal benefits
Health & well-being
Involvement in community
Education & awareness
It’s just good
Giving backProviding opportunity
Services & activities
The ripple effect
Community BenefitsCommunity Benefits
“We wanted to provide local people with the chance to try it.” (Hayley)
“So it creates more of a shared understanding of protection in their area. It helps in the overall appreciation of an area and developing an understanding of other people’s areas.” (Sandra)
Community benefits
The ripple effect
Skill donation
Providing opportunity Fulfilling
community needs
Giving back
It’s just good
Education & awareness
Involvement in community
Health & well-being
Services & activities
Skill development
Feelings of responsibility
Pressure to volunteer
Volunteer burnout & coping
RecruitmentRewards & reciprocity
Awareness & learning
Relationship building
PressurePressure
“Soon as you start getting ultra-organised sometimes it becomes very bureaucratic and becomes controversial.” (Richard)
“There’s always pressure on people who have a lot of experience because there aren’t that many of us around.” (Bob)
Financial relief
Funding
Organisational politics
Recruitment
Time management
Volunteer burnout & coping
Small community of volunteers
Feelings of responsibility
Pressure to volunteer
The ripple effect
Fulfilling community needs
Skill donation
Providing opportunity
Services & activities
Way of life
Pressure
Education & awareness
The influence of moneyThe influence of money
“We’re trying to get a bit of funding for a technical director who could act as a head coach too. We’re finding that our sport can’t grow.” (Jane)
“I believe the strength of volunteers comes from not being paid to do it…the goodwill of people giving back to their community needs to be in that spirit and being valued.” (Stephanie)
The nature of Volunteering
Financial relief
Funding
Organisational politics
Pressure to volunteer
It’s just good
Fulfilling community needsGiving back
Skill donation
Providing opportunity
The influence of money
DiscussionDiscussion
Provide services to the community Government cannot meet demands: Neamtam, 2005
Contributes to City’s recreation goals In tune with community needs: Mouleart & Nussbaumer, 2005City of Whitehorse Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2007 Alternative solutions: Evans, 2006
Volunteers feel pressure Motivated by obligation: Cuskelly & Harrington, 1997 1/4 of volunteers in Canada provide 77% of volunteer hours
(Statistics Canada)
Improved health and well-beingLess strain on health care system (Pronk, Tan, O’Connor, 1999)Exchange of social capital (Veenstra, 2001)
City of Whitehorse Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2007City of Whitehorse Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2007
“This objective refers to a holistic wellness of the mental, the emotional and the
physical – the whole person; the City’s role is to provide a range of leisure opportunities that appeal to all residents enabling them to
achieve a minimum level of wellness no matter what their financial resources, skill
or disability levels are.”
(Inukshuk Planning & Development Ltd. et al., 2007, p. 22).
DiscussionDiscussion Financial relief
Provides services that government cannot afford Relieve financial strain on organisation Sometimes receive government funding/grants Independence from government?: Quarter, 1992
Bring in business Appropriate blending of government and market sectors: Restakis, 2006 Commercialisation of activities can be beneficial to the community:
Lavarie & MacDonald, 2007
Spirit of Volunteering Be wary of too much financial influence on organisation Social economy considers values rather than just monetary measurement:
Fasenfest, Ciancanelli, & Reese, 1997 Professionalising takes away from the value of the activity: Sharpe, 2007
DiscussionDiscussion
Increased awarenessMore like to take action: Jones, 2006Civic competence: Hemingway, 2006
Skill developmentVolunteers seek opportunities to improve their skills: Arai, 2007; Clary,
Snyder, & Stukas, 1996Transferable to other areas
Relationship buildingVolunteering with others: Putnam, 2000Bridging theory: Putnam, 2000Not valuable until needed: Hemingway, 2006
DiscussionDiscussion
Sense of identity Team spirit, common values and motivations Fit in and get along with others
Group association: Lavarie & MacDonald, 2007
Sense of belonging: Stebbins, 1982; Glover, 2004
Lifestyle Continuous theme/pattern in their lives “It’s what I do!”Serious leisure: Stebbins, 1982; Cuskelly & Harrington, 1997Multiple motivations; egoistic & altruistic: Han, 2007Overlapping motivations: Cnaan & Goldberg-Glen, 1991
SummarySummary Volunteers recognise the community benefits of their
involvement Learning and development Increased public awareness Encouraging active lifestyles and healthy living Local economic impact Bringing people together
Volunteering benefits the individual as well as the community Participate in enjoyable activity outdoors Spend time with family Development their skills Meet new people and develop contacts Sense of purpose and meaningful engagement
ConclusionsConclusions Outdoor recreation activities are important parts of
the community and social economy Demand from community members that cannot, and
perhaps should not, be fully met by public services Contribute to the community’s social, economic, and
environmental goals Important settings for public participation
Adds to our understanding of the value of “non-essential” activities
Bottom-up perspective to our understanding of social economy
Provision of social economy and outdoor recreation through
volunteer labour
Social economy
Private sector
Government
Receives support for government mandates and contributions to community goals
Receives business networks and
opportunities and settings for community
service
Receives funding and sponsorship;
Supplies, facilities and equipment from other
2 sectors
Outdoor recreation activities
Community
(Contributions)(Contributions)
Volunteer labour and social capital stock
Thank you!Thank you!
People of Whitehorse, both study participants and new friends!
Social Economy Research Network for Northern Canada
Northern Scientific Training Programme Yukon Volunteer Bureau Northern Research Institute
People of Whitehorse, both study participants and new friends!
Social Economy Research Network for Northern Canada
Northern Scientific Training Programme Yukon Volunteer Bureau Northern Research Institute
Gender specific
pseudonyms
Outdoor recreation activities for which this participant has
volunteered
Other recreation activities for which this participant has
volunteered
Volunteered during recent Canada Winter Games
1 Sherry Cycling, RunningCurling
Yes
2 Sally Horseback riding Speed skating Yes
3 Susie Dogsledding No
4 Stephanie Canoeing, Dogsledding Yes
5 Sandra Soccer, Canoeing, Biking, Birding, Millenium Trail project
Yes
6 Mike Cross-country skiing, Mountain biking, Running, Biathlon
Yes
7 Chuck Snowmobiling Did not say
8 Judy Outdoor Education, Backpacking, Canoeing, Hiking, Alpine skiing
Martial Arts Yes
9 Richard Mountain biking, Ultimate Frisbee, Disc golf, Snowboarding
Yes
10 Jane Cross-country skiing, Orienteering Yes
11 John Broomball, Softball Hockey No
12 Hayley Running, Adventure racing Aerobics, Fitness classes Yes
13 Bob Soccer Wheelchair basketball Did not say