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Stories and History: What can oral history tell us about volunteers and their organisations in Australia? 15 th National Conference on Volunteering, Volunteering Australia, 4 September 2013 Annette Maher PhD Student Flinders University E: mahe0058@flinders.edu.au. What is oral history?.
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Stories and History: What can oral history tell us about volunteers and their organisations in Australia? 15th National Conference on Volunteering, Volunteering Australia, 4 September 2013 Annette Maher PhD Student Flinders University E: mahe0058@flinders.edu.au
What is oral history? The recording of people’s memories, feelings, attitudes and experiences using audio or video technology. Oral history enables us to hear stories that otherwise might have been lost. It captures facts, opinions and memories that can be interpreted and analysed. It can tell us of our past and traditions and stories passed down through the generations.
The relationships that formed and developed the organisation The importance of recording and preserving our history and its contribution to society Using oral history to understandnot-for-profit organisationalhistory and volunteer involvement … The different perspectives that drove development The connections between not-for-profit organisations and the social, political, economic and cultural context in which it operates Volunteers and volunteering What is hidden in other historical documentation The organisation’s culture and identity … to better inform our present and future
Recruitment and placement Volunteering over time Fulfilling mission & calibre of people who volunteer
Where do I start? • Get buy-in at board and senior management levels • Research - what’s out there in the world • Look around your office and archives – mementoes are important • Internal research – what was happening at the time? • Identify possible interviewees • Set up interviews – informed consent • Storage – where will interviews be held, how and when they will be made available to researchers
Interviewee and interviewer relationship Influencing the interview - interviewer as the expert – trying to please cultural sensitivities passion – for volunteering / organisation’s work both are ‘insiders’ - jargon Interpreting the interview - bias through knowledge of events and own experience ‘what is he/she really saying?’
Where to next? Oral History Association of Australia (and overseas) Universities with oral history collections National and state libraries – collections and guides
