What is Voluntary Sector and Public Service Delivery
Public Service delivery via the voluntary sector is impossibility by the very nature of the voluntary sector. (Sir JCM)
The voluntary sector or community sector (also non-profit sector) is the sphere of social activity undertaken by organizations that are for non-profit and non-governmental. This sector is also called the third sector, in reference to the public sector and the private sector. Civic sector is another term for the sector, emphasizing the sector’s relationship to civil society.
Significance to society and the economy
The presence of a large non-profit sector is sometimes seen as an indicator of a healthy economy in local and national financial measurements. With a growing number of non-profit organizations focused on social services, the environment, education and other unmet needs throughout society, the nonprofit sector is increasingly central to the health and well-being of society. Expert Peter Drucker suggests that the nonprofit sector provides an excellent outlet for a variety of society’s labor and skills.
In 1976, Daniel Bell predicted that the third sector would become the predominant sector in society, as the knowledge class overcame the effects of the private sector. This presently holds true in a number of European countries. According to a recent study by Johns Hopkins University, the Netherlands has the largest third sector of 20 countries across Europe.In Ireland the non-profit sector accounts for 8.8% of GDP. In Sweden, the nonprofit sector is attributed with fostering a nationwide social change towards progressive economic, social and cultural policies, while in Italy the third sector is increasingly viewed as a primary employment source for the entire country.
In the United States approximately 10% of GDP is attributable to the third sector. Donating to private religious organizations remains the most popular American cause, and all religious organizations are entirely privately funded because the government is limited from establishing or prohibiting a religion under the First Amendment.
In My Own Opinion:
Public sector service delivery may be described as benevolent, socially responsible or just “a good thingâ€, but if it was to be described as charitable by its very nature this means the service is delivered by a charity. And thus, taken to its logical conclusion, all public sector service providers – local authorities, hospitals, and companies – would all be regulated by the Charity Commission.
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