Media Clipping — June 4, 2004, The Daily News, Truro, Nova Scotia

Decline in volunteer numbers puts extra burden on those who still give their time

By Jason Malloy

A decline in volunteers is leaving a large burden for those left behind, the executive director of a Halifax research institute told Colchester County volunteers.

Dr. Ronald Colman, of GPI Atlantic, recently spoke at a volunteer recognition breakfast held by the Colchester Regional Development Agency.

He said there has been a decline in volunteers since 1997 and because people are working longer hours at their paid job it takes away from the time they have to volunteer.

"People are busier than ever," Colman said.

With the number of volunteers declining it has increased the workload for those remaining with volunteer organizations.

"Volunteers are not going to be able to shoulder that burden forever," he said.

He said on average people are doing about 75 hours of paid and unpaid work per week.

"Where's the free time," he said. "The hours per volunteer since 1997 have increased dramatically."

And one of the areas volunteers do much of their work is in activities which lead to healthier communities. Whether it is with after school programs or with hockey or soccer teams volunteers help make children's lives healthier reducing the costs to health care budgets across the country.

Colman said volunteer work amounts to about $13.50 per hour if an organization had to be pay for the same level of work. He said that money is being saved to continue services in the community.

GPI Atlantic has done four reports on the issue since and plans another one within the next year based on the latest statistics.

Copyright © 2004 The Daily News