Why volunteering commitment remains strong at Fair Game

Hear from CEO, Nicki Bardwell, why she believes high-investment volunteering is actually the antidote to the current volunteer engagement crisis.

We recently wrapped up another intensive training weekend with our latest cohort of volunteer Fair Gamers, who are now ready to hit the regions for their weeklong trips!

In a world of "micro-volunteering" and competing priorities, asking someone for a full weekend of training plus a week of regional service feels like a big ask. Some might even call it ‘outdated.’

But here’s why I believe high-investment volunteering is actually the antidote to the current engagement crisis.

The WA Landscape: By the Numbers

The latest State of Volunteering in Western Australia report (2024) gave us a reality check:

·       The Economic Powerhouse: 1.5 million West Aussies contribute a staggering $63.9 billion in value to our state annually.

·       The Trend: There is a clear shift toward "episodic" and micro-roles, with 29.8% of WA -volunteer managers reporting a rise in microvolunteering.

·       The Barrier: It now costs the average WA resident $13.75 per hour to volunteer (up 120% since 2015).

Why We Still Go "All In"

If people are time poor and struggling with cost of living pressures, why do we ask for a whole week in the regions?

Besides it being necessary for our operations, we believe connection is the currency of retention. While micro volunteering is a fantastic entryway into the sector, intensive experiences, like our training camp and regional trips, build something a 30 minute task cannot: social capital by way of future change makers

3 Lessons from our Training Weekend:

1.     Training = Respect: The report shows that 69.7% of WA volunteer managers use training as a key retention tool. When we invest in our volunteers' skills, we tell them their contribution is too important to be left to chance.

2.     Regional WA: Regional WA is the backbone of our state, yet it faces unique isolation challenges. While micro volunteering is a great experience it can’t replicate authentic time spent in the regions. Spending a full week in the field transforms a volunteer's perspective. You don't just see a project; you see the faces, the families, and the future of the towns we serve. That’s an empathy bridge no algorithm can build.

3.     Belonging over "Doing":  The State of Volunteering report tells a surprising story: while 67.8% of us want to "help others," a significant 33.8% are searching for social connection. You don’t get that from a bite -sized volunteering task. True belonging happens in the quiet moments after a long day of service—connecting deeply with the regional community members we’re there to support, and forging lifelong bonds with a team of like-minded volunteers who "just get it."

 The Future is "Both/And"

We shouldn't fight micro volunteering; we should use it as a gateway. But let’s not lose the ‘deep work’ of the volunteering world.

To our latest cohort of Fair Gamers: Thank you for bringing energy and enthusiasm this weekend. Thank you for committing to supporting our work. Thank you for being part of our team. Thank you for leaning into the "big ask." You aren't just giving time; you’re building the social fabric of Western Australia.