With a majority of current members above the age of 61, the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia faces the challenge of a decreasing membership over the next 10 years if it does not recruit new members and volunteers in order to have long-term sustainability, said newly re-elected Vinnies NSW State Council president Ray Reynolds.
“We are making inroads with young children and young adults through our Mini Vinnies programs in primary schools and secondary schools and university groups, but people in the 25-55 years age group are very scarce in the Society,” he said.
“Our challenge then is, ‘How can we revitalise ourselves sufficiently to encourage new members and volunteers in this age group to join the Society?’
He added: “The Society now moves in a much more competitive environment, with thousands of charities operating within Australia. We are providing services in a diverse range of areas which means that it is competing with a number of other charities for funding, donations, members and volunteers. We need to continue our great work in this area while being ready to meet the increasing demands of government in order to secure funding.
“The Society also needs to adapt its service provision to meet the changing family relationships and the new face of the poor and disadvantaged.”
Mr Reynolds has been involved with the Society since 1954.
Source Australian CM site.
