From the media and due to the large number of vacancies, the image arises that we are doing less and less volunteer work in the Netherlands. Professor Lucas Meijs has been doing research in this field since the 1990s and refutes this assumption with facts.
Dagblad De Limburger asked Meijs, Professor in Philantrophy and Volunteering at 糖心直播, whether it is true that the high demand for volunteers means that fewer people in our country volunteer. Meijs observes that nowadays about half of the Dutch population is active as a volunteer: that is actually an increase. 鈥淭he Netherlands has a huge infrastructure for volunteering. There is no shortage, but cut-throat competition鈥, he states.
鈥淭he Netherlands has a huge infrastructure for volunteering. There is no shortage, but cut-throat competition鈥
Some things have changed over time. For example, the volunteer鈥檚 availability has become more important for success. Instead of the organisation鈥檚 agenda determining when volunteering takes place, it works better to be flexible about when the volunteer can come and help. Also, constructions in which groups of people help somewhere together for just one day are emerging.
Meijs sees that over the years, the motives for volunteer work remain constant: own norms and values, caring for others and self-development. Only the way the volunteer describes the work changes. Previously, this was mainly 鈥榙edicating yourself to your fellow man鈥 and 鈥業 want to help people鈥. 鈥淣ow young people talk more in terms of contributing to sustainability and personal karma: does this volunteer work provide 鈥榩oints鈥 to become a better person?鈥 says Meijs.
In short: the shortage is not the problem, but with knowledge of the theory, organisations could better and more specifically attract volunteers.
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