Dear Members
I'm pleased that people have decided to join in this debate and I would
just like to make clear that my comments were calculated to engage rather
than offend. I will respond to some of the points individually but I think
Malcolm Todd and the original message from Greg Smith sum up the key lines
of enquiry for this debate. I think we all need to revisit the limitations
of the voluntary sector as a way of discovering why it is difficult to
attract more public support and engagement.
Responding to some of the points made by Andy and Linda; They are quite
right that my experience of the VS is limited and my knowledge
unsatisfactory but I don't believe this detracts from my most basic points.
They are also right to point out that the VS is not monolithic- I agree
that my comments find more purchase in some organisations than others.
Furthermore I recognise that the VS does provide much real benefit to many
people, not only to users but to the volunteers themselves who thrive in
such a community.
However there are still some things I don't agree with that need discussing.
There is no 'need' for the VS only the services that are provided- whether
they are provided by the state or some other form of organisation is a key
debate.
I still don't believe the VS should get any money from the state because of
its hollowing out effect on public services. The whole idea behind the VS,
as has been pointed out, is autonomy and freedom of choice. Remember that
no one coerces a volunteer, they may quit at any time. As soon as they
accept money from elsewhere then that autonomy is lost and effectively they
become an arm of government whether they like it or not. If the
organisation itself wants to pay for training etc. then fine but voluntary
work (in theory at least) is not the same as employment since they do not
operate for profit but operate from donations. I remember that when the
national lottery began we were all promised that the money would not be
used for public service subsidy. However this promise is being kept only
by diverting it to the VS who are only too happy to lap up large sums of
public cash. My advice to Linda- why don't you ask your bosses where all
this cash has gone. Many of the managers and fundraisers in the VS get
paid and get paid well.
I agree that public services are not accountable to the extent that they
should but it is still a lot more accountable than most VS groups. More
than that, and this is my key point, public services are supported by the
democratic system in a way VS groups can never be. I think there are two
responses to this- either you are unhappy with the lack of accountability
in the public services so you create your own, outside of that service or
you situate yourself at the heart of that service and change it from the
inside. For me then the VS buries its head in the sand- telling us about
the extra things it can do such as flexibility but refuses to bring these
skills inside of government where they are needed the most. I refuse to
even contemplate that govt. is incapable of incorporating such skills.
My view here is this- I like what the VS can do and respect the time people
put in but that it must be from within government not without or, ideally,
not even in co-operation so that legitimacy is maintained. I find it
terribly disheartening that there seems to be this divide between the VS
and public services. Certainly Linda seems to have an axe to grind against
professionals (justifiably in some cases as Mike Sheperd's message
argues). This seems to mirror the divides between Govt. departments
themselves.
My last point concerns the overlap of VS organisations that is simply an
inefficient way of providing services along the lines of what Malcolm
said. Lacking some kind of centralised co-ordination leaves voluntary
provision in a position similar to welfare arrangements pre-W.W.II. The VS
is at least in as much need of joined-up working as the public sector.
Final word goes to my old mate Sublime- I am doing more than just talk but
Rome wasn't built in a day my friend so you'll have to be patient. Lastly
until I am fortunate enough to gain my post-graduate degree I am just a
working class student, not an academic and not a professional (although my
play station skills are prodigious). Therefore you will have to wait a
little before I accept the 'stinky' label.
My usual thanks for everybody's time and energy.
Tim
PS. Do I get an ivory tower if I qualify?
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