BTCV Handbooks Online

Book:	Local Action
Chapter:	Volunteers
Section:	A Social Programme
Metadata:	Details	Buy this book

There are all sorts of ways in which people can spend their spare time. Voluntary conservation work is, for most, a leisure activity and it is important to prove to people that conservation projects are more fun than watching television. In the first section meeting people's needs was discussed and one of those needs is having fun. If they know why they're doing a job and what it will achieve, some people will happily work all day in the pouring rain and even enjoy it. If, on the other hand, they don't know what is going on and do not feel valued, then they won't enjoy themselves, even on the most beautiful day.

There is no reason why every aspect of conservation should not be satisfying, from travelling to a project to sitting in a meeting or taking part in a social event. The reason why some parts of the group's work may be less enjoyable than others is often because no one has thought about how to make it fun.

Socialising can be as formal or as relaxed as you want, ranging from going to the pub after meetings to the whole group going on holiday together. But if it is merely a drink after meetings it is unlikely to meet some people's needs. Lots of people don't like pubs or smoky atmospheres and some will have to leave straight after the meeting for baby-sitters, last buses, or early morning jobs.

If the group is going to work well, a few planned social events, such as a barbecue or a barn dance, are important. These events should be planned just as a project should be, and someone should take on the responsibility of organising them. This could well be a task for one of those energetic members who is inexperienced but keen to "do something". Raise the idea at a meeting, think up some ideas and ask the social organiser to look at how the event can happen. But remember that there will be some people who don't want to combine conserving and socialising. The best way forward is to offer people the opportunity and see what comes of it.

What sort of events?

The easiest ones are those where everyone is together, after a project or after a deliberately short meeting. In summer, the on-site, after-work barbecue is often a winner and everyone can contribute by bringing food and drink. If you are having a pub evening, perhaps after a short annual meeting, try to book a separate room and get the pub to lay on some food.

But think more adventurously as well. Organise some guided walks; maybe your local bat group could bring some bat detectors along to help identify the bats that use the site, or someone could run a moth trapping evening - people love the adventure of going out in the dark but often don't feel safe to do it on their own. If there's an excellent bird-watcher in the group, get him or her to take people out to listen for nightingales on summer evenings - or have a dawn chorus walk followed by breakfast somewhere.

An informal evening at someone's house can be a great boost to your group as well. It is something people are used to doing, but do encourage new members to go. Put out invitations with maps as you would for any other party. Such an evening can be an extension of something routine like stuffing newsletters in envelopes.

Breaking down barriers

People are different. Sometimes when your group is run by a friendly committee of people with similar views and lifestyles, it's easy to forget about the rest of the group. Social events should offer all of you the chance to meet one another to bind the group together and secure greater commitment from everyone. After all, if you respect members enough to work with them, surely it's worth finding out what they're like off-site.

Get drinks...

However, don't be too ambitious or worry too much about the social aspects. Not everyone will want to socialise with the group, as long as you are offering a range of activities, and not just a drink in a smoky pub, its up to your members to join in.

Ideas for social events

Celebrating as a group:

After-project meals, Having a game of cricket or bowls with a neighbouring group.

Special events for the time of year such as:

Christmas parties, firework parties, pancake parties, birthday cake at lunchtime, the group's annual party, no-excuse-at-all parties!

Serious events such as:

Tool maintenance parties, talks by guest speakers, joint projects with other groups, weekend residential projects, newsletter stuffing parties.

Out and about events such as:

Listening to the dawn chorus, visits to reserves or other sites, badger watching, bat walks, quiet Sunday afternoon walks with picnics and children's games, forest walks where you can get to know some trees. For the ambitious you could organise a day trip or a weekend visit to somewhere like the Eden Project, or the Earth Centre, the Centre for Alternative Technology or Ryton Organic Gardens.