Some councils value volunteers

I recently attended a Coast Care Forum held in Wollongong.

It was both interesting and inspiring.

There were representatives from most councils up and down the coast as well as many volunteers and specialists in various fields.

Gosford was noticeable by the absence of any representative although there were some volunteers from that shire.

This was a pity since one of the main topics was the attitudes of councils to their voluntary workers.

Some councils are now developing contracts and improved terms of engagement.

They actually acknowledge the experience and intelligence of their numerous voluntary workers, who give many hours of work to these organisations.

They even involve them when making Plans of Management and discuss things with them.

A recent Commonwealth document "National Compact: Working Together" was discussed.

This document recognizes the volunteer's vital contribution to Australian communities. Volunteer groups and local government should surely form a "respectful and constructive partnership".

Up until now our relationship to local governments has never been defined.

Neither side knows exactly how they should behave one to the other.

Some councils regard volunteers as the bottom of the heap and completely devoid of any knowledge or expertise.

A compact should be negotiated which will recognize our shared values so that, for instance, we all know how we should behave to one another, how disputes should be settled, and how everyone can get a fair go instead of being dominated by larger more forceful groups.

This may prompt local councils to become more community-friendly, improve recruitment and encourage groups to lobby government on their own terms.

Email, 17 Mar 2011 Margaret Lund, Woy Woy Bay