Parliament is currently discussing the Voluntary Organisations Act, a much-needed piece of legislation that should serve to regularise the situation of the many voluntary organisations that have been set up in the country, some of them dating back decades.
Voluntary organisations are extremely necessary and important. Without them, Malta would be a different place. There would be no band clubs, no sport associations and no organisations which spend so much time taking care of people in need.
These organisations have also been at the forefront in creating awareness on particular issues and have at times put pressure on the authorities, sometimes also gaining enough public support to push governments to change their position.
These organisations have played a vital role in society as we know it today. We can find them in all spheres of our life – education, culture, the environment, religion and sport, and as such are involved with people of all ages and from all walks of life.
The time has now come for these organisations to be placed under one umbrella and within a legal framework that should not only serve to strengthen their position but, at the same time, put the public’s mind at rest that their work is under scrutiny, especially when it comes to funds that voluntary organisations need to fulfil their tasks.
Voluntary organisations are funded, in part, by the government, but this is rarely enough to see to their needs and the organisations raise funds through the various activities. It is therefore important that these organisations become more accountable for their deeds.
The public, which contributes money for the many causes voluntary organisations take care of, has a right to know that the money is being used well.
The regularisation of the voluntary organisations is not obligatory, but those that do register themselves with the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, which will be set up once the law is enacted, will become more credible in the eyes of the public, and stand a better chance of raising the money they need.
Such transparency is vital for the future of voluntary organisations. It would only take one incident to dent the credibility of all organisations, as people would start doubting them and think it over twice before giving any more money.
Therefore, first of all voluntary organisations should never abuse of the generosity of the Maltese people. Secondly, their regularisation would assure the public even more that the money they are contributing is really going towards that particular cause. For this reason, voluntary organisations should make it a point to register themselves. Such a registration will also enable the organisations to benefit from various incentives that have been drawn up in the legislation.
The appointment of a Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations is intended to give voluntary organisations a reference point. He or she will be in direct contact with all the organisations and the people who run them, and this will also enable the commissioner to learn more about their strengths and weaknesses, and where necessary suggest changes to the law. The commissioner will be a direct link between the government and the organisations, and such an appointment can be seen as another move towards decentralisation.
Voluntary organisations are an essential tool in our society and should be given all the support they can get. Let us not forget that these are people who spend most of their free time organising activities for others with no remuneration.
On the other hand, voluntary organisations should never abuse their position and the trust that they have been afforded by the Maltese public all through these years.
Their regularisation is a necessity, and the fact that the two sides of the House of Representatives have a lot in common on this issue indicates that such a piece of legislation is long overdue.