Volunteering is integral to the operations of the City of Greater Geelong and makes an invaluable contribution to the Council and the community that it serves. The City of Greater Geelong depends on hundreds of volunteers every year to deliver essential services to the community.
 
The City of Greater Geelong supports the definitions and principles of Volunteering as stipulated by the key volunteering organisation Volunteering Australia and outlined below.
 
Definition of formal volunteering
Formal volunteering is an activity which takes place through not for profit organisations or projects and is undertaken:
 To be of benefit to the community and the volunteer;
 Of the volunteer's own free will and without coercion;
 For no financial payment; and
 In designated volunteer positions only. 
 
Principles of Volunteering
 Volunteering benefits the community and the volunteer.
 Volunteer work is unpaid. 
 Volunteering is always a matter of choice. 
 Volunteering is not compulsorily undertaken to receive pensions or government allowances. 
 Volunteering is a legitimate way in which citizens can participate in the activities of their community. 
 Volunteering is a vehicle for individuals or groups to address human, environmental and social needs. 
 Volunteering is an activity performed in the not for profit sector only. 
 Volunteering is not a substitute for paid work.
 Volunteers do not replace paid workers nor constitute a threat to the job security of paid workers.
 Volunteering respects the rights, dignity and culture of others.
 Volunteering promotes human rights and equality.