Monthly Networking Events for Volunteer Coordinators

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 February to November.

This is a great opportunity for people in the not-for-profit sector to meet each other, network and share their experiences, knowledge and learnings. Attendees can suggest topics for discussion, guests or issues.

All volunteer managers and coordinators are very welcome to these events. Numbers are limited and booking is essential. The cost of attending The Centre's Networking Events is $5 per head to be paid on the day. Afternoon tea is provided. Email Odessa O'Brien or phone 02 9261 3600.

• February 2009 Networking Event: Recruiting via the VRS
• March 2009 Networking Event: Aboriginal cultural awareness
• March 2009 SCIP (youth volunteering) Networking Event for Teachers
• April 2009 Networking Event: Invisible Children
• May 2009 Networking Event: National Standards
• June 2009: Working effectively with CALD volunteers
• RSVP now to attend The Centre's Networking Events
• 2009 Networking Event Calendar
• Suggest a topic or issue for a future Networking Event

June 2009 Networking Event for Volunteer Coordinators: Working effectively with CALD volunteers

Tuesday, 16 June 2009, 2pm–4pm
Level 2, 228 Pitt St, Sydney

Michelle and Susana work with CALD volunteers on the Super V Multicultural Volunteer Program run by the City of Sydney. They will present the research and theories that informed the introduction and implementation of this successful Multicultural Volunteer Program and also present case studies about one of the volunteers and specific volunteer programs and the benefits of engaging with volunteers from a CALD background. The networking session will also include a group discussion about the experiences and challenges of engaging CALD volunteers.

RSVP now to attend The Centre's Networking Events

All volunteer managers are very welcome to these events. Numbers are limited and booking is essential. Email Odessa O'Brien to RSVP.

2009 Networking Event Calendar

• Recruiting Volunteers via the Volunteer Referral Service (VRS): Making the VRS work for your organisation!
  Tuesday, 17 February 2009, 3pm–5pm
  
  

  Over the course of the financial year 2007/2008 the VRS conducted over 5,500 interviews of potential volunteers, making referrals to 482 member organisations that list their volunteer positions with the VRS. Member organisations of The Centre for Volunteering have over 600 active volunteer positions listed at any given time; not counting roles that require multiple volunteers. From Database Specialists to Community Visitors we have a volunteer role for everyone that has the time, energy and enthusiasm to volunteer.

  Come along to the networking session to find out how the VRS process works, including questions asked by The Centre's Interviewers to determine the right referral, learn how to create effective job descriptions and recruit the right volunteer for the right volunteer role and also find out how Fido Skilled Volunteer Search connects skilled, experienced volunteers with not-for-profit organisations looking to recruit volunteers and its requirements.

• Aboriginal cultural awareness
  Tuesday, 17 March 2009, 1pm–3pm
  
  

  Well-known and recognised expert on Aboriginal culture, Fay Nelson AM, will discuss Aboriginal culture, histories and people, incorporating the Dreaming, Aboriginal spirituality, Kinship in this introductory presentation. It links together important aspects which create the Aboriginal way of thinking about family, religion and land. Aboriginal cultures are complex and the presentation is aimed at sensitising non-aboriginal people to these cultures and developing awareness and understanding of how they operate making it easy to work with Aboriginal people and manage cross-cultural situations.

  The information provided is accurate, up to date and appropriate for non-aboriginal people who are interested in working with Aboriginal people in a professional or volunteer capacity. 

• SCIP Networking Event for Teachers
  Wednesday, 18 March 2009, 9am–11am
  
  

  As part of supporting schools through the Student Community Involvement Program (SCIP), The Centre for Volunteering is holding its first SCIP Networking Event for Schools and teachers.

  This event is an opportunity for teachers to network and share experiences or questions relating to running a student volunteer program. Guest speakers to this event will be Jess Bell from the Inspire Foundation's ActNow Program and Geoff Copeland, Manager of The Centre's School of Volunteer Management.

  If you are a teacher interested in attending this event in the future please email Maia Giordano or phone 02 9261 3600!
   
• Time, Talents and Teamwork: How Invisible Children Inc. has created successful programs powered by youth volunteers
  Tuesday, 21 April 2009, 9am–11am
  
  

  The not-for-profit organisation Invisible Children Inc. has set about motivating a whole generation of young people to make a difference to the issue of child soldiers in Uganda. The organisation's website states: "By inspiring youth culture to value creativity, idealism, and sacrifice, the movement fuels the most effective, adaptable, and innovative programs in the world."

  "Established in 2005, Invisible Children is a social, political, and global movement using the transformative power of a story to change lives. In the spring of 2003, three young filmmakers traveled to Africa in search of a story. What started out as a filmmaking adventure transformed into much more when these boys from Southern California discovered a tragedy that disgusted and inspired them, a tragedy where children are both the weapons and the victims."

  Come along to the networking session to learn about creative and powerful ways in which Invisible Children have successfully engaged young people in their organisation. Discover the possibilities for your organisation to inspire and engage with the next generation!
    
• Understanding the National Standards for Involving Volunteers in Not-For-Profit Organisations
  Tuesday, 19 May 2009, 2pm–4pm
  

  This networking session will introduce participants to the National Standards for Involving Volunteers in Not-For-Profit Organisations. The standards represent Volunteering Australia's benchmark for "best practice" in the management of volunteers. Participants will be able to make an informed decision regarding the implementation of the National Standards within their own organisations. The topics covered are:

  • The importance and intent of the National Standards
  • Developing an implementation plan
  • Key issues and critical success factors to implementation
  • Minimising obstacles to implementation
    
• June 2009 Networking Event: Working effectively with CALD volunteersTuesday, 16 June 2009, 2pm–4pm
   
• Tuesday, 21 July 2009, 2pm–4pm
   
• Tuesday, 18 August 2009, 2pm–4pm
   
• Tuesday, 15 September 2009, 2pm–4pm
   
• Tuesday, 20 October 2009, 2pm–4pm
   
• Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 2pm–4pm
   
• Tuesday, 15 December 2009, 2pm–4pm

Suggest a topic or issue for a future Networking Event

Please let Odessa O'Brien know about any issues you want discussed at a Networking Event, and it will be arranged for you, with a relevant facilitator. Or, would you like to facilitate one of our Networking Events, on a topic of your choosing? Email Odessa O'Brien or phone her on 02 9261 3600.