International Volunteer Day (IVD) 2022 celebrates the theme of solidarity through volunteering. This campaign highlights the power of our collective humanity to drive positive change through volunteerism.
The many benefits of volunteering have been well documented. It can help you make friends, learn new skills, advance your university application or career, and even help you feel happier and healthier by connecting you with others and your community. For some it enables them to bring their skills and experience to the service of the wider ringing community, whilst for others it enables them to branch out and use skills which may have been under-employed in their working life. With busy lives, it can be difficult to find time to volunteer; however the benefits can be enormous, providing vital support to a worthwhile cause and heling others.
The work of the Central Council, along with ringing Associations worldwide, relies on volunteers to provide all its services to ringers. All of those volunteers are your fellow ringers, so that is people who are prepared to do a bit extra for the common good, usually because the work is something that interests them or they want to contribute on a wider basis.
It used to be that only Council Representatives would also be volunteers, but now anyone can volunteer, and only around half the members of workgroups are also Reps.
Much of the work done by those volunteers is via the various workgroups, such as the Schools and Youth Groups Workgroup, or Stewardship and Management. Some of those Workgroups are small and particularly focused, while others have broader remits. Some have lots of volunteers working on individual projects as is the case in the Historical & Archive Workgroup, whereas in others there are chunkier projects where a number of volunteers are working together. In addition to volunteers in Workgroups, the Council Executive are all volunteers.
The Council can always use more help. Indeed, most workgroups are actively trying to find volunteers to fill certain roles so that the Council can deliver on more of its Strategic Priorities, particularly as we look to Ringing 2030.
If you are inspired to volunteer please consider joining one of the Council’s Workgroups. There are specific things we cannot progress without some extra, or expert help. Consider if there is something you can offer, or support one of the “situations vacant” https://cccbr.org.uk/about/volunteering-with-the-council/
For everyone who volunteers to ring bells, run practices, teach learners, carry out maintenance, organise events and so much more, at Tower, District, Association or Central Council level, Thank You. We really couldn’t do it without you.
Vicki Chapman
Public Relations Officer