2010 National Volunteering News
As well as catching up on national volunteering news here, don't forget to sign up for The Voice of Volunteering, The Centre's free monthly e-news which is filled with volunteer and volunteer management news from around the state, country and world.
National Volunteering News: December 2010
2010 NSW Volunteer of the Year winners announced
December 2010 | The Centre for Volunteering
Wadalba's Graham Symes has been named the 2010 NSW Volunteer of the Year in recognition of his dedication establishing and running the Traffic Offenders Program (TOPS) at a prestigious function held at Parliament House on Friday, 3 December 2010. The annual Award program recognises the efforts and achievements of volunteers across NSW, with 48 Regional Individual, Youth and Senior Volunteer Winners, 19 Regional Volunteer Team Winners and six Employee Volunteers, gathering from across New South Wales for the announcement of the 2010 NSW Volunteer of the Year winner by Minister for Volunteering, the Hon. Peter Primrose, and an additional six award winners, presented by the Hon. Michael Veitch, MLC. Read more
SEIKO Watches Special Offer for Volunteers
8 December 2010 | SEIKO
Over the Christmas period SEIKO Watches would like show its support and appreciation for your volunteer work over the past twelve months by extending to you a special offer. A selection of SEIKO Watches are available at a heavily reduced price. This offer is exclusive to The Centre for Volunteering, its members and all volunteers throughout the State. Any one of these watches would make the perfect Christmas gift.
This exclusive offer for volunteers has been extended until Friday, 31 December 2010 or whilst stock lasts. Order today to ensure you don't miss out!
National Volunteering News: September 2010
It shouldn't take an earthquake
10 September 2010 | Upstart
It’s been reported that young New Zealanders are doing a great job cleaning up after last week's devastating natural disaster. But as Sarah Green writes, it shouldn't take an earthquake for young people to receive some positive press. In the wake of the Christchurch earthquake, 2700 of the city's students are on the streets helping out their neighbours. The students have organized themselves into groups of volunteers via the facebook page Student Volunteer Base for Earthquake Clean Up and are knocking on doors to offer a hand with clean-up efforts. Read more
National Volunteering News: July 2010
Lets put social inclusion on the Election map
29 July 2010 | Volunteering Australia
There are few opportunities for the NFP sector to send clear messages to political parties and their leaders. Help by completing this short survey (closes Tuesday, 3 August) and send a strong message about the importance of this sector. Read more
Australian of the Year Awards 2011
Nominations are now open for the 2011 Awards. Learn about the categories, criteria and nomination details. Nominations close 31 August 2010. Read more
The Pitch 2011 Competition – IAVE World Conference
International Association of Volunteer Effort
The Pitch 2011 Competition is being run as part of the IAVE World Conference held in Singapore in January 2011. NGOs are invited to submit a proposal that presents a sustainable initiative (new or existing) that exemplifies the theme of the 21st IAVE World Volunteer Conference, Volunteering to Change the World, and stand a chance to pitch for UBS' generous funding. Shortlisted finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges and the audience during the Conference which will be held at Resorts World Sentosa from 24–27 January 2011. Find out more
Global Corporate Volunteering Research Project
International Association of Volunteer Effort
The Global Corporate Volunteering Research Project which is being conducted by IAVE's Global Corporate Volunteer Council. The research aims to create new knowledge that will: help global companies extend and strengthen their employee volunteer programs; and help companies and their nonprofit partners strengthen employee volunteering worldwide. It is research project that will draw on the experience, perspective and insights of leaders in corporate volunteering worldwide. Results of the project will be reported at the IAVE World Volunteer Conference in Singapore in January 2011.
2010 National Disability Awards: Social Inclusion Award
July 2010 | Dept of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
The 2010 National Disability Awards are open and calling for nominations in the Social Inclusion Award category. School and community groups are the lifeblood of many Australian suburbs and towns, playing a pivotal role in encouraging participation and inclusion of people from all walks of life. Read more
National Volunteering News: June 2010
National Volunteer Strategy Consultation
17 June 2010 | Volunteering Australia
The Federal Government has been progressing with plans to develop a National Volunteering Strategy. This Strategy will shape the government's vision for volunteering over the next ten years. The strategy will be released to mark the 10 year anniversary of the United Nations International Year of Volunteers (IYV +10) which will be celebrated through the world in 2011. Read the consultation paper
National Volunteering News: May 2010
Free regional Volunteer Training: June and July 2010
May 2010 | The Centre for Volunteering
Anyone new to volunteering or organisations with staff needing an introduction to volunteering issues can take advantage of our free Volunteer Training course. Regional Sessions will be held in the mid coastal; northern NSW regions and western regions in June and July 2010. Find out more and register
Adam Goodes receives Volunteer Ambassador Award
14 May 2010 | The Centre for Volunteering
Sydney Swans Australian Rules player Adam Goodes has been named the 2010 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Ambassador for his work as a role model and mentor to young Aboriginals. The Swans No 37 guernsey wearer accepted the award from Lynne Dalton at a home training session on Thursday, 13 May 2010 before the match against Western Bulldogs. Read more
Women, Management and Work Conference
29-30 July 2010, Sofitel, Sydney
Women on Boards is a sponsor of this excellent conference, which explores a broad range of issues affecting women in the workplace. It you wish to register note that Early Bird closes this Friday, 14 May 2010. Find out more information. There is a conference scholarship available for an not-for-profit organisation. Entries close on 28 May. Apply online
NAB Community Volunteering Survey
14 May 2010 | Volunteering Australia and National Australia Bank (NAB)
Jointly commissioned by Volunteering Australia and National Australia Bank (NAB), the survey of community organisations also shows that 81 per cent of those surveyed believe the demand for their services is greater now than at any time in the past.
Goodes honoured for commitment to community
14 May 2010 | Sydney Swans
With a premiership and two Brownlow medals, Best and Fairests and All-Australian honours to his name – Sydney Swans co-captain Adam Goodes is no stranger to on-field accolades.
This week however, the 259-game star was honoured for his work off the field.
Goodes was formally recognised as the New South Wales Volunteer Ambassador of the Year for 2010. Read more
Goodes ready to make mark in Big Bad Barry's return
14 May 2010 | Sydney Morning Herald
It was the obvious question to ask Adam Goodes after he had just received a volunteer of the year award from the Centre of Volunteering for his community work: Does this mean you are putting your hand up to play on Barry Hall this weekend? Read more
Goodes, Swans gear up for Hall
14 May 2010 | The Age
Having moments earlier accepted an award from the Centre of Volunteering as their volunteer of the year for the work he does in the community, it was a question someone needed to ask Adam Goodes. Does this mean you are putting your hand up to play on Barry Hall this weekend? Read more
The Centre on Tim's Weather on TEN's News at Five
10 May 2010 | The Centre for Volunteering
To celebrate National Volunteer Week The Centre for Volunteering and friends appeared on Tim's Weather on TEN's News at Five with Tim Bailey on Monday, 10 May. Read more and see photo
Westpac partners NSW Volunteer of the Year Award
10 May 2010 | The Centre for Volunteering
Westpac Banking Corporation has become a partner to help broaden nominations for the 2010 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award. This year, Westpac branches throughout NSW will help promote the call for nominations. Read more
Thank you 5.4 million times
10 May 2010 | Volunteering Australia
National Volunteer Week will be held from the 10–16 May and it is a timely reminder that we sometimes forget to say thank you for the amazing contribution they make to Australian society. Volunteering Australia CEO, Cary Pedicini, said that all that many volunteers want in return for their contribution is a thank you. "Our National Survey of Volunteering Issues found that 36% of respondents had not received any thanks for their volunteering in the previous month and that is not good enough." Read more
National Volunteering News: April 2010
The Centre's National Volunteer Week events: 10–16 May 2010
April 2010 | The Centre for Volunteering
Read all about The Centre for Volunteering's National
Volunteer Week events: Volunteering Awareness Forum, Skilled Diversity Project Launch and the RPL Graduation Ceremony. Find out how you can attend
NSW Premier's Student Volunteering Awards Program
April 2010 | Maia Giordano, The Centre for Volunteering
The NSW Premier's Student Volunteering Awards (SVA) Program was officially launched on Tuesday, 30 March 2010 by the Hon. Verity Firth MP, Minister for Education and Training. The SVA Program, piloted in 2009, is aimed at involving Year 9 and 10 students in volunteering and service learning activities. As many of you know, there are many young people who already volunteer in a range of areas so this program is also a "way of acknowledging the contribution of young people to their community". MORE
National Compact welcomes 100 Partners
April 2010 | The Centre for Volunteering
The National Compact has welcomed Drug Free Ambassadors Australia as the 100th organisation to sign up as a Compact Partner. This significant milestone came only 12 days since the Compact was launched by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at Parliament House on 17 March 2010. MORE
National Volunteering News: March 2010
Call for abstracts for National Vol Conference
March 2010 | Volunteering Australia
Volunteering Australia invites proposals for papers (30 minutes including 10 minutes discussion) and workshops (90 minutes) from all interested parties for the 13th National Conference on Volunteering. Download the Call for Abstracts information brochure 
, read the Speakers' Guidelines for more information and submit your abstract online.
Volunteering for All Volunteering and Social Exclusion research report
Volunteering England
Read Volunteering England's Volunteering for All Volunteering and Social Exclusion research report with looks at the relationship between volunteering and social exclusion and concentrated on three groups for whom social exclusion can be an issue – people from black and minority ethnic communities, disabled people and offenders/ex-offenders. Download the report
Remembering Mercedes 'Billie' Clarke and Marie Miner
March 2010 | Margaret Bell AM and Jan Cosgrove
Former CEO, Margaret Bell AM, and former staff member, Jan Cosgrove, remember two of The Centre's well-loved and missed volunteers: Mercedes 'Billie' Clarke and Marie Miner. MORE
April Networking Event: NFP fundraising – the do's and don'ts
When: Tuesday, 20 April 2010, 2pm–4pm
Where: Level 2, 228 Pitt Street, Sydney 2000
Join Communities NSW and the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing's Richard Kerr, as he shares not-for-profit fundraising – do's and don'ts. This session is focussed at not-for-profit organisations that are plan to or are engaging in fundraising activities and need some assistance in making sure they are run correctly. MORE
2010 Ignite Volunteering Conference: "More hands… Now more than ever"
When: Friday, 21 May 2010, 9am–5pm
Where: Mechanics' School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney
Format: Plenary sessions, sector networking, interactive workshops, case studies
The Centre for Volunteering's 2010 Ignite Volunteering Conference will focus on the development of skills for volunteer coordinators and managers in the community sector, and facilitate networking, collaborations and the sharing of resources. Topics proposed for the conference include: Recruiting of volunteers, motivating and rewarding volunteers, succession planning, leadership, helping employees to work effectively with volunteers, training and supporting volunteers, social networking, maintaining standards, cultural inclusion and youth. MORE
Reimbursement and Value of Volunteer Effort report
The Centre for Volunteering, March 2010
The latest research report from The Centre for Volunteering's Research and Policy team examines reimbursement of volunteers for their out-of-pocket expenses as well as assessing the value of a volunteers' effort in the not-for-profit sector of NSW. Volunteer effort is represented in monetary terms as hours of work comparative to an equivalent paid employee role in a similar style of organisation. MORE
Rethinking volunteering
March 2010 | Inspire Foundation
Start engaging young people now – it'll pay off for you in the future! In this interview with Inspire Foundation, The Centre's youth volunteering guru Maia Giordano gives some fantastic, practical tips on how to get young people moving and shaking in your organisation. MORE
National Volunteer Week: 10–16 May 2010
Volunteering Australia (VA)
National Volunteer Week (NVW) is the largest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Australia, and provides an opportunity to highlight the role of volunteers in our communities and to say thank you to the more than 5 million Australians who volunteer. The NVW website will provide you with all the information you need to celebrate NVW whether you are a volunteer, volunteer organisation, or a corporate organisation seeking ways to help recognise and thank employees who are also volunteers. Visit the NVW website to find out more
New "hour" value of volunteer time
March 2010 | Pro Bono Australia
It's often said that the value of volunteering is immeasurable. However the US not-for-profit research group, the INDEPENDENT SECTOR has identified the dollar value of volunteering at an hourly rate to help quantify this community resource. The INDEPENDENT SECTOR says that the 2002 value of volunteer time has increased by nearly 50 cents an hour to $16.54 per hour. That's in US currency. So in today's Australian equivalent where the Aussie Dollar gets around 60 cents to the US dollar the hourly rate equates to a hefty $27.36 per hour! And according to researchers the value of volunteer time has increased by nearly 50 cents US on last year. (That's 30 cents Australian.) MORE
Ed – Please note the above currency rates were correct at time of research. Currently the Australian dollar is 85–90 cents to the US dollar, which decreases the value of volunteer time hourly rate to approximately $18.38–$19.46.
Productivity Commission's relevance to volunteering issues "Less clear"
March 2010 | Pro Bono Australia and Volunteering Victoria
Volunteering Victoria has responded to the Productivity Commission Report saying the report's relevance to the issues facing the volunteering community is less certain than for the rest of the not-for-profit (NFP) sector. Volunteering Victoria says while the Commission's recommendations will, if implemented, reshape the regulatory environment for NFP sector, they do not address the core issues of volunteering in Australia. MORE
Official signing of the National Compact: 17 March 2010
March 2010 | communityNet
The Australian Government has announced the launch of a new National Compact which aims to strengthen the working relationship between the Government and the not-for-profit sector at Parliament House on 17 March 2010. The Compact has been developed following extensive consultations between the Government and the sector, which are outlined in the National Compact Consultation Report. MORE
Volunteer Grants 2010: Call for applications
March 2010 | FaHCSIA
The Volunteer Grants 2010 Call for Applications opens on Friday, 12 March 2010 and closes on Friday, 16 April 2010, 2pm. Volunteer Grants 2010 has been extended to help organisations meet the costs of training and undertaking police and working with children checks for community volunteers. The Government is committed to helping non-profit organisations support their volunteers and develop their skills. Volunteers can undertake courses such as basic first aid, mental health first aid, and leadership training. MORE
March 2010 | Australian Youth Forum
The AYF has a new discussion forum on Volunteering. The Government would like your views on how we can inspire more young people to volunteer and how best to support you in your volunteering activities. HAVE YOUR SAY
Volunteer Link on YouTube
March 2010 | Volunteer Link
Volunteer Link, a Volunteer Centre in Sydney's St George and Sutherland Shire have posted a fabulouse video of people volunteering in the with a wide range of services, from rescue, support and assistance to communication and cultural activities on YouTube. WATCH THE MOVIE ON YOUTUBE
National Volunteering News: February 2010
Cashing in on baby boomer plans
11 February 2010 | The Australian
One of the stipulations that came through the Monash focus groups time and time again was that boomers didn't just want to volunteer; they wanted meaningful engagement. By this they meant doing something that made a difference and that used (and acknowledged) their skills. MORE
Interview with the new Minister for Volunteering, the Hon. Peter Primrose MLC
Kristin Romanis, The Centre for Volunteering
The Centre speaks with the Hon. Peter Primrose MLC, Minister for Volunteering, Youth and Small Business and Minister Assisting the Premier on Veterans' Affairs.
Find out how he plans to assist the not-for-profit sector to increase volunteering rates, how he sees the volunteering and youth portfolios working together, how we can reverse the impact the Global Financial Crisis has had on many volunteer-engaging not-for-profit organisations and much more. MORE
Volunteer training funds available
February 2010 | Lynne Dalton, CEO, The Centre for Volunteering
The Centre is please to advise that the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) has allocated funds to each State for volunteer training. FaHCSIA is requesting that The Centre targets volunteers and particularly volunteers in areas where little or no training is usually available. If you are interested in receiving training in your region can you please email an expression of interest to Lynne Dalton and include "Volunteer Training" in the subject line.
2010 Professional Development Training package for members
February 2010 | Lynne Dalton, CEO, The Centre for Volunteering
As a result of feedback from the 2009 Ignite Volunteering Conference, The Centre has decided to offer a package of Professional Development Training Workshops and Information Sessions at a heavily discounted rate for its members. Five of the most popular sessions at the conference will be presented as a full-day or half-day workshop. The package will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis, with a limited number of places available. However if there is a strong demand a second series may be offered.
The five workshops will be offered as one package but your organisation will be entitled to send any staff member or volunteer to each of to the sessions. You may purchase more than one package if you wish to nominate more than one person to attend a session. Some of the workshops being offered will include:
- Public Speaking: Speak up! Speak out!
- How to sabotage your volunteer program!
- Online Marketing and Social Networking
- Are you accreditation ready? It's coming.
- Are you legally compliant? Legal Issues workshop.
Further information, workshop dates and fees will be published in upcoming issues of The Voice. Please email Lynne Dalton to receive priority notification of the training package. But remember you must be a member of The Centre.
2009 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Photo Gallery is now online
The 2009 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award recognises and publicly acknowledges the invaluable work done by the 1.7 million volunteers in NSW. Congratulations to the 2009 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award winners, who were announced at Parliament House on Friday, 4 December 2009.
Check out all of the excitement of last year's State Award Ceremony in the 2009 NSW Volunteer of the Year Photo Gallery on Flickr, which includes photos of the Ceremony and Adam Goodes' 2010 NSW Volunteer Ambassador of the Year thank you video. MORE
Fido Skilled Volunteering recruitment service
February 2010 | Denis Porter, Fido Skilled Volunteering Manager
In 2009 The Centre advertised approximately 240 positions for around 100 of its member organisations through its Fido Skilled Volunteering recruitment service, with many of these positions involving multiple vacancies. Member feedback has told The Centre that Fido continues to be a very valuable service for members for recruiting skilled volunteers.
However, while Fido is used by a large number of members of The Centre, some newer members may not be aware of the details of its operation. In this edition of The Voice, we give some brief details of Fido and how it operates. MORE
Does your organisation involve youth volunteers?
February 2010 | Maia Giordano, Youth Volunteer Program Manager
The Youth Volunteer Program is currently updating the list of organisations that involve youth volunteers. Be a part of a growing movement of organisations who involve young people as volunteers in their service. The Youth Volunteer Program will be contacting organisations to gauge interest in being part of this list. For more information on youth volunteering or to register your interest please email The Centre.
SCIP Evaluation Project
February 2010 | Maia Giordano, Youth Volunteer Program Manager
The Centre's Student Community Involvement Program (SCIP) Evaluation Project is well underway. Interviews with organisations, schools and students are currently taking place. This evaluation aims to assess the impact of SCIP and the experience of all stakeholders in youth volunteering. The Centre for Volunteering would like to extend sincere thanks to all those who have assisted with this project to date. If you would like to share your experiences of engaging youth volunteers its not too late to have your say. Please email Jacinthe Brosseau.
Utilisation of Highly Skilled Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (HS CALD) Volunteers project update
Tony Frew, Research, Development and Policy Manager
The HS CALD Volunteers project has received funding from City of Sydney in the 09-10 Community Services Grants program to undertake this project in the City of Sydney local government area (LGA). Additionally The Community Relations Commission of NSW has provided further financial support from the 2009–2010 Community Development Grants program. MORE
The Centre's Board Communique: November–December 2009
Joy Woodhouse, Chair, The Centre for Volunteering
On the eve of our first meeting for 2010, it is timely for the Board of The Centre for Volunteering to update you on our last meeting in 2009 held on Wednesday, 25 November 2009.
The Board is pleased to announce the election of the following office bearers: Chairperson, Joy Woodhouse, Deputy Chairperson, Valerie Hoogstad, Treasurer, Ian Moyser, The Centre's CEO, Lynne Dalton and Executive Assistant, Janine Cowen have been appointed as Company Secretary. MORE
The Centre's 2010 Networking Events: Dates for your diary
The Centre for Volunteering's Networking Events for volunteer managers and their peers are held on the third Tuesday of the month, 2–4pm from March to November, at The Centre, 2/228 Pitt St, Sydney. View the Networking Events Calendar and put the dates in your diary.
Volunteer Mentor Program, Golden Gurus, gets financial boost
February 2010 | Pro Bono Australia
A national volunteer mentoring program called the Golden Gurus is set for a $500,000 funding boost to kickstart its work connecting mature aged volunteers with mentoring opportunities around Australia as part of the Rudd Government's Productive Ageing Package. Organisations that deliver the program will be able to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to help them prepare mature age mentors for their voluntary mentoring roles. MORE
New volunteer team management tool
VolunteerTeam is a new style social enterprise (Team Management Service) that aims at giving the community the benefits of modern software and communications technology. VolunteerTeam's focus is set squarely on enhancing Teamwork in the voluntary sector of Australia. Its vision is to make Australia's Voluntary Teams the most effective, most productive and most enjoyable teams in the world! MORE
A volunteer with time on his hands? Believe it…or not!
February 2010, The Centre for Volunteering's Volunteer Life e-zine
In the latest issue of Volunteer Life, Steve Frame, Volunteer Crew Leader for the Central Coast Mariners discusses how VolunteerTeam has revolutionised the communications and organising efficiency of the Mariners' volunteer team. MORE
2010 Centre for Sustainability Leadership Fellowship Program
Information Sessions: Melbourne–16 February, Sydney–17 February
The Centre for Sustainability Fellowship Program provides a cutting-edge curriculum, with access to Australia's top leaders and a network of the best and brightest young minds in the country. Each year 25 people from all around Australia are selected to join the part-time program in Sydney and Melbourne – everyone from artists to engineers, lawyers to business professionals, doctors to uni students. Places on the program are either highly subsidised by sponsors or fully covered by scholarships. Attend an upcoming information session in Melbourne or Sydney.
National Volunteering News: January 2010
Managing corporate volunteers: positive relationship = positive outcomes
Third Sector – January 2010
In the January 2010 issue of Third Sector magazine, The Centre for Volunteering CEO Lynne Dalton discusses why corporate volunteering is gaining popularity, and gives some vital hints on how your organisation can make the most of corporate volunteers.
Despite the global financial crisis, corporate volunteering is becoming more popular among businesses that are committed to their corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives. MORE
New volunteering resource clearinghouse
OurSharedResources.org
This is a free-to-use website to access and share volunteer management resources. So if you have not checked it out yet, or have good quality application forms, volunteer job descriptions or other documents that you think could assist others, log in today and share your resources with the world! MORE
Government confirms financial support for Volunteering Australia
Pro Bono Australia
The Federal Government has re-affirmed its financial support for Volunteering Australia, allowing it to continue as the national volunteering representative body with an additional $484,000 Australian Government funding to June 2011. This includes $150,000 to provide key national volunteering events, such as the National Conference on Volunteering in October 2010, and the National Volunteer Week activities in May 2010, and $64,000 for the GoVolunteer website. MORE
Want to live longer? Volunteer!
Brian O'Heir, VolunteerTeam
If you have volunteered you know it feels good. In fact, I am reminded of that – or a bank at least – because of its marketing message, one would we should possibly submit to willingly: 'generosity makes people happy'. However, there is even better news and even more reason to bolster the flagging ranks of the volunteer sector. Volunteer and you'll live longer. MORE