With the rise of social media and our hectic modern lifestyles, the times are a-changing for volunteering. New trends and buzzwords in the field include slacktivism, crowdsourcing and micro-volunteering. Welcome to Volunteering 3.0.
Reaching out online
It may be true that people are less likely to get physically involved in volunteering nowadays and that social media encourages social isolation. However, statistics show that we are reaching out more than ever and that this is down to social media. It has created a whole new landscape for volunteering.
Rise of slacktivism
Take ‘slacktivism’. A contradiction in terms that is coined from ‘slacker’ and ‘activism’, denoting the desire to give without getting your hands dirty – like joining a Facebook group or donating by clicking your mouse or sending a text message. This way people who cannot or do not wish to commit full-time to volunteering can do short-term volunteering (micro-volunteering) and still make a difference.
Support from the crowd
NGOs and NPOs are increasingly benefiting from slacktivism and from the possibilities that social media and the internet have generated. Organisations can reach outside their traditional networks to raise money for various causes, a method often referred to as ‘crowdfunding’, and in this way they may see results much faster and reach a much wider target group.
Flexible virtual volunteers
The implications of these new trends are far-reaching both on a community-level and globally. It starts with one individual and all they need is a computer or a phone. Yes, social media can lead to social isolation, but it has also led to the emergence of digital citizens and virtual volunteers.
Expat partners and volunteering
To some expat partners, virtual volunteering is a godsend. For if you have invested blood, sweat and tears in building a charity while posted abroad, how else can you continue the good work when the time comes to repatriate or relocate? Expat partners, in situations like this, increasingly find that geographical borders mean nothing when it comes to giving.
Photo: John Loo – Flickr
