What sorts of people volunteer?
CLCs have historically been built on the work and vision of volunteers who are often a fundamental part of the service that CLCs provide to the community. Volunteer assistance supplements and supports the work of paid CLC staff and is crucial to the survival of CLCs. A 2002 report on CLC volunteers indicated that two thirds of volunteers are legal professionals and the rest are paralegal workers. About half have been volunteering for 2 or more years and many have a history of involvement with community organisations. They tend to volunteer on a regular weekly or fortnightly basis with the majority (47.5%) working 1-5 hours per month but 10% working 30+ hours a month. Altruism rather than personal or professional goals is rated a major motivation for volunteer work.
