Volunteer Model Review: Initial Survey

Thank you for your time!

This survey is a first step in our review of IFLA’s volunteer model, taking place in the context of our wider Sustainable Futures Journey. The Journey as a whole is intended to put IFLA on the best possible path into our second century. In parallel with our volunteer model review, we are also looking at our membership, Congress finance, and governance models.

For the purposes of this document, a volunteer is understood to be anyone who freely contributes their time, expertise, and professional knowledge to advance IFLA's mission and activities without receiving financial compensation from IFLA.

This includes both individuals elected or appointed to serve in any of IFLA's governing, professional, or regional bodies (such as committees, sections, and other units), as well as individuals who contribute their time and expertise in other voluntary capacities, for example through working groups or task forces, as volunteers at our Congress, or other initiatives established within IFLA units.

It is based on an assumption that IFLA’s ability to attract and retain volunteers, and provide them with the conditions to realise their potential to contribute to our missions, is an essential pillar of our long-term sustainablity. As a result, the model IFLA applies is of interest not just to those currently serving in volunteer roles, but also to our members, future volunteers, volunteers’ employers, partners and more.

We are already drawing on the results of previous surveys (thank you for your time in filling these in!), but are still very much in a listening phase, in order to understand what different parts of our Federation want and expect. Therefore, please do not draw any conclusions from the questions asked here - they are intended only to help you share your inputs.

This survey is anonymous, and has been set up not to collect information about your IP or geographical address. We will not reveal any information which could identify you, but rather produce a report based on aggregate data which we will be happy to share.

Thank you in advance for your time and insight!

First of all, we want to understand a little about you. This will help us get a better idea of how IFLA's volunteer model is experienced by our field.

1. In which country are you based?

2. What is your primary current affiliation?

Please enter an 'other' value for this selection. * This question is required.

3. What type of library do you work for?

Please enter an 'other' value for this selection. * This question is required.

3. How big is your library, from your point of view?

3. How big is your association, from your point of view?

3. Are you, or is your institution or association an IFLA member?

3. Are you, or have you ever been an IFLA volunteer? Click on all applicable answers

Yes, I am currently on an IFLA unit (committee/special interest group/regional division/governance committee)
Yes, I have, but am not currently on an IFLA unit (committee/special interest group/regional division/governance committee)
Yes, I am volunteering my time for IFLA in other ways
Yes, I have volunteered my time for IFLA in other ways, but am not doing so currently
No, I have never been an IFLA volunteer
I don't know/don't want to answer

4. Have you ever held a leadership role? Click each answer that is applicable

I have held (or currently hold) an officer role within a unit (Section, Special Interest Group, Regional Division)?
I have held (or currently hold) a role in an IFLA governance committee (member of the Governing Board, Professional or Regional Councils)?

4. People engage with IFLA in different ways depending on their perspective. On behalf of which type of stakeholder do you want to answer this survey?

If you wish to respond from different perspectives, you can fill in the survey again (we will very much appreciate this!)

5. In this capacity, what is the greatest positive for you in IFLA’s current volunteer model? (up to 50 words)

6. Thinking about current strengths, how far do you agree with the following statements about IFLA's current volunteer model?

IFLA's current volunteer model...

Space Cell	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree	I don't know/don't want to answer
Provides a meaningful opportnity for individuals to make an impact on the work of the global library profession.	Provides a meaningful opportnity for individuals to make an impact on the work of the global library profession.: Strongly disagree	Provides a meaningful opportnity for individuals to make an impact on the work of the global library profession.: Disagree	Provides a meaningful opportnity for individuals to make an impact on the work of the global library profession.: Neither agree nor disagree	Provides a meaningful opportnity for individuals to make an impact on the work of the global library profession.: Agree	Provides a meaningful opportnity for individuals to make an impact on the work of the global library profession.: Strongly agree	Provides a meaningful opportnity for individuals to make an impact on the work of the global library profession.: I don't know/don't want to answer
Represents a strong personal development opportunity through the acquisition of technical and practical skills and knowledge.	Represents a strong personal development opportunity through the acquisition of technical and practical skills and knowledge.: Strongly disagree	Represents a strong personal development opportunity through the acquisition of technical and practical skills and knowledge.: Disagree	Represents a strong personal development opportunity through the acquisition of technical and practical skills and knowledge.: Neither agree nor disagree	Represents a strong personal development opportunity through the acquisition of technical and practical skills and knowledge.: Agree	Represents a strong personal development opportunity through the acquisition of technical and practical skills and knowledge.: Strongly agree	Represents a strong personal development opportunity through the acquisition of technical and practical skills and knowledge.: I don't know/don't want to answer
Offers opportunities that fit with volunteers’ own availability, interests, and ways of working.	Offers opportunities that fit with volunteers’ own availability, interests, and ways of working.: Strongly disagree	Offers opportunities that fit with volunteers’ own availability, interests, and ways of working.: Disagree	Offers opportunities that fit with volunteers’ own availability, interests, and ways of working.: Neither agree nor disagree	Offers opportunities that fit with volunteers’ own availability, interests, and ways of working.: Agree	Offers opportunities that fit with volunteers’ own availability, interests, and ways of working.: Strongly agree	Offers opportunities that fit with volunteers’ own availability, interests, and ways of working.: I don't know/don't want to answer
Represents an opportnity to develop leadership skills.	Represents an opportnity to develop leadership skills.: Strongly disagree	Represents an opportnity to develop leadership skills.: Disagree	Represents an opportnity to develop leadership skills.: Neither agree nor disagree	Represents an opportnity to develop leadership skills.: Agree	Represents an opportnity to develop leadership skills.: Strongly agree	Represents an opportnity to develop leadership skills.: I don't know/don't want to answer
Enables the creation of professional networks and lasting relationships.	Enables the creation of professional networks and lasting relationships.: Strongly disagree	Enables the creation of professional networks and lasting relationships.: Disagree	Enables the creation of professional networks and lasting relationships.: Neither agree nor disagree	Enables the creation of professional networks and lasting relationships.: Agree	Enables the creation of professional networks and lasting relationships.: Strongly agree	Enables the creation of professional networks and lasting relationships.: I don't know/don't want to answer
Brings benefits to the colleagues of IFLA volunteers (i.e. co-workers, fellow association members).	Brings benefits to the colleagues of IFLA volunteers (i.e. co-workers, fellow association members).: Strongly disagree	Brings benefits to the colleagues of IFLA volunteers (i.e. co-workers, fellow association members).: Disagree	Brings benefits to the colleagues of IFLA volunteers (i.e. co-workers, fellow association members).: Neither agree nor disagree	Brings benefits to the colleagues of IFLA volunteers (i.e. co-workers, fellow association members).: Agree	Brings benefits to the colleagues of IFLA volunteers (i.e. co-workers, fellow association members).: Strongly agree	Brings benefits to the colleagues of IFLA volunteers (i.e. co-workers, fellow association members).: I don't know/don't want to answer
Allows volunteers a voice in shaping IFLA's priorities, standards, and professional agenda.	Allows volunteers a voice in shaping IFLA's priorities, standards, and professional agenda.: Strongly disagree	Allows volunteers a voice in shaping IFLA's priorities, standards, and professional agenda.: Disagree	Allows volunteers a voice in shaping IFLA's priorities, standards, and professional agenda.: Neither agree nor disagree	Allows volunteers a voice in shaping IFLA's priorities, standards, and professional agenda.: Agree	Allows volunteers a voice in shaping IFLA's priorities, standards, and professional agenda.: Strongly agree	Allows volunteers a voice in shaping IFLA's priorities, standards, and professional agenda.: I don't know/don't want to answer
Enables communities, institutions, or regions to be represented at the international level.	Enables communities, institutions, or regions to be represented at the international level.: Strongly disagree	Enables communities, institutions, or regions to be represented at the international level.: Disagree	Enables communities, institutions, or regions to be represented at the international level.: Neither agree nor disagree	Enables communities, institutions, or regions to be represented at the international level.: Agree	Enables communities, institutions, or regions to be represented at the international level.: Strongly agree	Enables communities, institutions, or regions to be represented at the international level.: I don't know/don't want to answer
Delivers outputs that respond to the needs of the field in my context.	Delivers outputs that respond to the needs of the field in my context.: Strongly disagree	Delivers outputs that respond to the needs of the field in my context.: Disagree	Delivers outputs that respond to the needs of the field in my context.: Neither agree nor disagree	Delivers outputs that respond to the needs of the field in my context.: Agree	Delivers outputs that respond to the needs of the field in my context.: Strongly agree	Delivers outputs that respond to the needs of the field in my context.: I don't know/don't want to answer
Enables IFLA to produce work that demonstrates the relevance of libraries to partners and potential funders.	Enables IFLA to produce work that demonstrates the relevance of libraries to partners and potential funders.: Strongly disagree	Enables IFLA to produce work that demonstrates the relevance of libraries to partners and potential funders.: Disagree	Enables IFLA to produce work that demonstrates the relevance of libraries to partners and potential funders.: Neither agree nor disagree	Enables IFLA to produce work that demonstrates the relevance of libraries to partners and potential funders.: Agree	Enables IFLA to produce work that demonstrates the relevance of libraries to partners and potential funders.: Strongly agree	Enables IFLA to produce work that demonstrates the relevance of libraries to partners and potential funders.: I don't know/don't want to answer

7. In this capacity, what is your greatest frustration with the current IFLA volunteer model? (up to 50 words)

8. Thinking about frustrations, how far do you agree with the following statements about IFLA's current volunteer model?

Space Cell	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree	I don't know/don't want to answer
It is hard for newcomers to identify what opportunity could work for them, and how they can apply for it.	It is hard for newcomers to identify what opportunity could work for them, and how they can apply for it.: Strongly disagree	It is hard for newcomers to identify what opportunity could work for them, and how they can apply for it.: Disagree	It is hard for newcomers to identify what opportunity could work for them, and how they can apply for it.: Neither agree nor disagree	It is hard for newcomers to identify what opportunity could work for them, and how they can apply for it.: Agree	It is hard for newcomers to identify what opportunity could work for them, and how they can apply for it.: Strongly agree	It is hard for newcomers to identify what opportunity could work for them, and how they can apply for it.: I don't know/don't want to answer
IFLA volunteering is only for colleagues in more senior roles.	IFLA volunteering is only for colleagues in more senior roles. : Strongly disagree	IFLA volunteering is only for colleagues in more senior roles. : Disagree	IFLA volunteering is only for colleagues in more senior roles. : Neither agree nor disagree	IFLA volunteering is only for colleagues in more senior roles. : Agree	IFLA volunteering is only for colleagues in more senior roles. : Strongly agree	IFLA volunteering is only for colleagues in more senior roles. : I don't know/don't want to answer
Volunteer committees do not have a clear idea about how their work fits into IFLA’s wider strategy and mission.	Volunteer committees do not have a clear idea about how their work fits into IFLA’s wider strategy and mission. : Strongly disagree	Volunteer committees do not have a clear idea about how their work fits into IFLA’s wider strategy and mission. : Disagree	Volunteer committees do not have a clear idea about how their work fits into IFLA’s wider strategy and mission. : Neither agree nor disagree	Volunteer committees do not have a clear idea about how their work fits into IFLA’s wider strategy and mission. : Agree	Volunteer committees do not have a clear idea about how their work fits into IFLA’s wider strategy and mission. : Strongly agree	Volunteer committees do not have a clear idea about how their work fits into IFLA’s wider strategy and mission. : I don't know/don't want to answer
Volunteer committees are not managed effectively.	Volunteer committees are not managed effectively. : Strongly disagree	Volunteer committees are not managed effectively. : Disagree	Volunteer committees are not managed effectively. : Neither agree nor disagree	Volunteer committees are not managed effectively. : Agree	Volunteer committees are not managed effectively. : Strongly agree	Volunteer committees are not managed effectively. : I don't know/don't want to answer
Volunteer committees face too much bureaucracy.	Volunteer committees face too much bureaucracy.: Strongly disagree	Volunteer committees face too much bureaucracy.: Disagree	Volunteer committees face too much bureaucracy.: Neither agree nor disagree	Volunteer committees face too much bureaucracy.: Agree	Volunteer committees face too much bureaucracy.: Strongly agree	Volunteer committees face too much bureaucracy.: I don't know/don't want to answer
Volunteer committees’work is not coordinated, leading to duplication.	Volunteer committees’work is not coordinated, leading to duplication. : Strongly disagree	Volunteer committees’work is not coordinated, leading to duplication. : Disagree	Volunteer committees’work is not coordinated, leading to duplication. : Neither agree nor disagree	Volunteer committees’work is not coordinated, leading to duplication. : Agree	Volunteer committees’work is not coordinated, leading to duplication. : Strongly agree	Volunteer committees’work is not coordinated, leading to duplication. : I don't know/don't want to answer
Volunteers do not receive enough practical support from Headquarters.	Volunteers do not receive enough practical support from Headquarters.: Strongly disagree	Volunteers do not receive enough practical support from Headquarters.: Disagree	Volunteers do not receive enough practical support from Headquarters.: Neither agree nor disagree	Volunteers do not receive enough practical support from Headquarters.: Agree	Volunteers do not receive enough practical support from Headquarters.: Strongly agree	Volunteers do not receive enough practical support from Headquarters.: I don't know/don't want to answer
Individual volunteer expertise is not used effectively.	Individual volunteer expertise is not used effectively.: Strongly disagree	Individual volunteer expertise is not used effectively.: Disagree	Individual volunteer expertise is not used effectively.: Neither agree nor disagree	Individual volunteer expertise is not used effectively.: Agree	Individual volunteer expertise is not used effectively.: Strongly agree	Individual volunteer expertise is not used effectively.: I don't know/don't want to answer
Volunteers’ contributions are not sufficiently recognised.	Volunteers’ contributions are not sufficiently recognised.: Strongly disagree	Volunteers’ contributions are not sufficiently recognised.: Disagree	Volunteers’ contributions are not sufficiently recognised.: Neither agree nor disagree	Volunteers’ contributions are not sufficiently recognised.: Agree	Volunteers’ contributions are not sufficiently recognised.: Strongly agree	Volunteers’ contributions are not sufficiently recognised.: I don't know/don't want to answer
Being a volunteer does not fit well with having a full-time job.	Being a volunteer does not fit well with having a full-time job.: Strongly disagree	Being a volunteer does not fit well with having a full-time job.: Disagree	Being a volunteer does not fit well with having a full-time job.: Neither agree nor disagree	Being a volunteer does not fit well with having a full-time job.: Agree	Being a volunteer does not fit well with having a full-time job.: Strongly agree	Being a volunteer does not fit well with having a full-time job.: I don't know/don't want to answer
IFLA volunteer committees do not produce work that responds to my interests and those of my region.	IFLA volunteer committees do not produce work that responds to my interests and those of my region.: Strongly disagree	IFLA volunteer committees do not produce work that responds to my interests and those of my region.: Disagree	IFLA volunteer committees do not produce work that responds to my interests and those of my region.: Neither agree nor disagree	IFLA volunteer committees do not produce work that responds to my interests and those of my region.: Agree	IFLA volunteer committees do not produce work that responds to my interests and those of my region.: Strongly agree	IFLA volunteer committees do not produce work that responds to my interests and those of my region.: I don't know/don't want to answer
It is impossible to realise the full benefits of being an IFLA volunteer without the possibility to travel to events.	It is impossible to realise the full benefits of being an IFLA volunteer without the possibility to travel to events.: Strongly disagree	It is impossible to realise the full benefits of being an IFLA volunteer without the possibility to travel to events.: Disagree	It is impossible to realise the full benefits of being an IFLA volunteer without the possibility to travel to events.: Neither agree nor disagree	It is impossible to realise the full benefits of being an IFLA volunteer without the possibility to travel to events.: Agree	It is impossible to realise the full benefits of being an IFLA volunteer without the possibility to travel to events.: Strongly agree	It is impossible to realise the full benefits of being an IFLA volunteer without the possibility to travel to events.: I don't know/don't want to answer
It is impossible to realise the full benefits of being an IFLA volunteer if you do not speak English fluently.	It is impossible to realise the full benefits of being an IFLA volunteer if you do not speak English fluently.: Strongly disagree	It is impossible to realise the full benefits of being an IFLA volunteer if you do not speak English fluently.: Disagree	It is impossible to realise the full benefits of being an IFLA volunteer if you do not speak English fluently.: Neither agree nor disagree	It is impossible to realise the full benefits of being an IFLA volunteer if you do not speak English fluently.: Agree	It is impossible to realise the full benefits of being an IFLA volunteer if you do not speak English fluently.: Strongly agree	It is impossible to realise the full benefits of being an IFLA volunteer if you do not speak English fluently.: I don't know/don't want to answer

9. For you, what is the single most important change needed to strengthen IFLA’s volunteer model? Be bold! (up to 50 words)

10. If you want to share anything else about IFLA's volunteer model, please do so here!

11. And finally, a question from our Membership Model Review colleagues: who should be able to volunteer with IFLA?

12. If you would like to be contacted directly about future opportunities to contribute to or learn about IFLA's volunteer review, please share your e-mail here. It will only be used for this purpose.