New Zealand Report: Dr Anton Mischewski
[15 May 2007 | The Centre for Volunteering]
Dr Anton Mischewski, Research, Development and Policy Manager, recently travelled to New Zealand, visiting volunteering organisations in Auckland, Wellington and his home town of New Plymouth.
In Auckland, Anton met with Ian Leader, Community Relations Manager, Auckland University of Technology's University Relations Department. Ian is a partner on The Centre's Employee Volunteering research project. Also located at the Auckland University of Technology is the Institute of Public Policy which has recently released the report Business Social Investment Activity in New Zealand (available by writing to the Institute) and Helping Communities work together.
In New Plymouth, Anton met with the Volunteer Centre Coordinator, Heather Dodunski, and representatives from the Ministry of Social Development, Red Cross, Girl Guides and the local council. Heather was very interested in learning about The Centre's Future Visions 4x5 Young Filmmakers Competition and the School Community Involvement Program (SCIP). The Volunteer Centre is now keen to seek regional and national partners in New Zealand to start its own version of SCIP based on The Centre for Volunteering's model.
In Wellington, Tim Burns, Executive Director, Volunteering New Zealand, hosted an afternoon meeting and invited representatives from Volunteering Wellington, the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector (OCVS) and Massey University.
Anton received the New Zealand legal resources kit Keeping It legal/ E Ai Ki Te Ture. This is an example of the type of online and print resource that The Centre is currently in negotiation for funding with PILCH in Victoria.
OCVS has just released the report Mahi Maori: Maori perspectives on volunteering and cultural obligations. A full copy of the report is available online.
Massey University representative, Dr Louise Lee, has been conducting research into employee volunteering programs and welcomed the invitation to be part of The Centre's research project here in NSW. See some of the projects they have worked on.