A recent research study by CUSO and the Centre for Research and Education in Human Services has found that former overseas volunteer “cooperants” volunteer significantly more than the average Canadian upon their return to Canada.
The average Canadian volunteer contributes 168 hours per year, according to Statistics Canada. The CUSO research found that a former overseas volunteer contributes an average of 235 hours per year. And 67 % of Canadians who have volunteered overseas get involved in volunteer activities in Canada through charitable organizations and community groups, compared with 45 % of all Canadians.
Former overseas volunteers also contribute to more organizations and causes than the average Canadian volunteer. Over 44 % of survey respondents who’d been an overseas volunteer at some point in their lives—even over 30 years ago—volunteered with three or more organizations in Canada, and 85 % volunteered for at least two. Only 22 % of average Canadian volunteers contribute their time to at least two organizations. In addition, former overseas volunteers are likely to take on more responsibility while volunteering—doing activities which require leadership, supervisory and management skills.
Click here for a full copy of the research report, the report is also available at www.cuso.org. For more information, please contact sean.kelly@cuso.ca.
A Passport to Improved Volunteerism