annual report and accounts 2012 - RSPB

RSPB trustees’ report and accounts 2011-12
Trustees’ report
More people making a gift of time
Objective Achievement Future challenges
We aim to be
supported by
15,000 volunteers,
working a total of
750,000 hours
annually.
We exceeded our target: it was a great year for volunteering.
Volunteers gave the RSPB a gift of more than one million
hours in one year for the first time ever. We've come a long
way since those ladies in Didsbury, volunteers themselves,
started the RSPB way back in 1889. They would no doubt be
extremely proud to know their legacy enjoys the support of
more than 17,000 regular volunteers.
Competition for people’s time is
growing: we must attract more
for the RSPB. We offer
increasingly interesting,
rewarding and flexible ways for
people to donate their time and
talents.
And what a contribution our volunteers make. One million
hours equates to more than 500 full time staff,
Volunteers step up for nature with the RSPB in new and
innovative ways. We had doctors, translators, IT specialists,
health and safety experts, carpenters, quantity surveyors and
even a burlesque dancer donating time and talents to the RSPB
last year.
“I really enjoyed my time volunteering. It has helped build up my
confidence, and goes down really well with potential employers. I still
volunteer in my spare time – it's great fun.” Volunteer at
Broadwater Warren nature reserve.
We will offer more flexible “bite
size” volunteering opportunities
and find new ways for people to
use specialist and professional
skills. Our volunteer intern’s
programme offers high quality
3-6 months opportunities
alongside career coaching and
mentoring. Many participants
have achieved their ambition of
a career in conservation.
RSPB membership
Objective Achievement Future challenges
We will continue
to recruit and
keep our millionplus
members,
and aim for
growth, as far as
continued
uncertain times
allow.
In spite of economic troubles UK-wide, the RSPB’s
membership remains as strong as ever, at more than 1,090,000.
More than 185,000 people joined in the last year, a fantastic
endorsement of our work and how much the UK public cares
about nature. We still need more support, to meet increasing
conservation challenges.
With economic uncertainty set
to continue, and threats to
nature still increasing, we need
to do far more to make our work
more compelling to many more
people. We will look afresh at
how we describe and promote
wildlife and connect with people
to support the RSPB’s work, and
how we retain and develop the
support we already have.
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