Government expands Student Volunteering Program
[13 February 2007 | The Centre for Volunteering]
The Centre for Volunteering welcomes the NSW Government's plan for public high school students in NSW to be encouraged to volunteer their time to community service groups.
The NSW Government unveiled their $7.8 million program yesterday, with
Premier Iemma saying "Our Premier's Community Service Award program
will encourage students to participate with school-based representative
councils, cadets, community groups, aged care providers and other volunteer
groups".
The CEO of the Centre for Volunteering, Lynne Dalton hopes that the plan will expand The Centre for Volunteering's Student Community Involvement Program (SCIP) which has been funded by the NSW Education Department since 1979.
Ms Dalton explained that SCIP is a community development program that actively promotes and increases student participation in their local communities through volunteering opportunities. SCIP links community organisations and schools and promotes and facilitates the involvement of students in community organisations. SCIP also runs networking seminars that allow for the sharing of knowledge and expertise relating to student volunteering. These sessions help organisations prepare for young people's involvement by exploring attitudes toward young people, discussing issues and challenges relating to student volunteering, and brainstorming possible and innovative ways for young people to get involved.
SCIP benefits the voluntary organisations by increasing and diversifying their pool of volunteers and, in turn, increases young people's personal and vocational skills, future employability and social connection to their community.
Since its formation in 1979, the program has involved thousands of students throughout NSW. SCIP students in turn, have provided a valuable service to voluntary organisations such as special schools, nursing homes, hospitals, drop-in centres, museums, child care centres and environmental groups.
Ms Dalton also deplores the Daily Telegraph's assertion that rewarding young people is considered a bribe when adults are rewarded all the time for good deeds. ($2000 bribe for teens, Daily Telegraph, 12 February 2007).
About The Centre for Volunteering
The Centre for Volunteering is the peak body for volunteering in NSW and includes Volunteering NSW and the School of Volunteer Management. The Centre's role is to promote and support volunteering and community participation. It has been in operation for 32 years and runs the biggest volunteer referral service in the state. In addition to volunteer referral, its programs include advocacy, corporate volunteering, engaging young people through student community involvement (SCIP), research and policy, accredited and non-accredited training and information and communication.Media interviews and more information
Lynne Dalton, CEO
M: 0413 418 314 or T: 9261 3600
Kristin Romanis, Communications Manager
M: 0412 313 359