3rd November 2008
Volunteering England: AGM and Debate - Monday 24 November, the Mermaid Conference and Events Centre, Blackfriars, London
Should volunteers be offered incentives? That is the burning question a line-up of expert speakers, including Stephen Greene, Chief Executive of Orange RockCorps, and Sean Cobley, a Director of the Association of Volunteer Managers, will be debating at a key meeting of Volunteering England.
“What’s wrong with offering an incentive anyway?” is the title of the debate being run by Volunteering England, the national development agency for volunteering. Other top speakers joining the line up will include John Bateman, Chief Executive, UK Youth, and Mike Nussbaum, Chair of Volunteering England, will chair the debate.
The event will be part of VE’s AGM day and will examine the controversial issue of the value and validity of offering an incentive such as free tickets to rock concerts by Orange RockCorps, in return for volunteering. Orange RockCorps describes itself as a ‘pro-social music production company’ which uses music to encourage a new generation of volunteers.
“The question of incentives is a hot topic which has aroused much debate already in recent weeks among volunteers and those working in the voluntary sector,” said Dr. Justin Davis Smith, Chief Executive of Volunteering England. 'We do welcome schemes that attempt to encourage new people to volunteer. We know from experience and research that once a young person has volunteered, it is more likely they will volunteer in the future.
“But equally, we have some reservations about incentives being offered. This debate will give people taking part a chance to air their views and raise some of the key issues surrounding volunteering and incentives, a subject which, particularly in these difficult financial times, is likely to cause heated discussion.”
Debate: What’s wrong with offering an incentive anyway?
When: 24th November 2008
Where: The Mermaid Conference and Events Centre, Puddle Dock, Blackfriars, London, EC4V 3DB
Time: 2.45p.m. for the Debate; 4.15- 5.30 p.m. drinks reception
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Notes to editors:
- You are invited to attend the Debate: What’s wrong with offering an incentive anyway? Please RSVP to Mary Ann Day, (below) if you would like to send a reporter and or a photographer to this event. The Drinks Reception at 4.15 p.m. is also open to the press, and should you wish to participate, again please let us know.
- Volunteering England is the integrated national volunteer development organisation for England. It aims to improve the quality, quantity, impact and accessibility of volunteering throughout England. More details at www.volunteering.org.uk
