Why the RSPB involves volunteers

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) says:

'Ask anyone why we should involve volunteers and nine times out of ten the answer will be to save money. Volunteers are excellent value for money, but there are other good reasons for working with them too. They:

• Increase our capacity for work - we can get more done and concentrate on priority work.
• Help us to cope with peaks and troughs in the workload.
• Are an excellent way of getting RSPB messages into the community.
• In some circumstances, they are more credible than staff. Staff are paid to promote the society - the message can be a lot more powerful coming from a volunteer.
• Give us access to new skills that we could not afford to employ.
• Strengthen our political clout.
• Keep us in touch with grassroots feelings and perceptions.
• Can focus their time and energy on one specific task without distraction.

Source: RSPB Working with Volunteers: A Handbook for RSPB Staff