Issue no 2, March 2009

Fido: Skilled volunteering recruitment service
In 2008, The Centre advertised approximately 250 positions in the Sydney Morning Herald for over 100 of The Centre's member organisations for free through Fido, its skilled volunteering service. Read how Fido helps recruit skilled volunteers
 

Students volunteer to reduce HECS fees? VA responds
Pro Bono Australia
Volunteering Australia (VA) wants more public discussion around the Federal Government's interest in a "Youth Corp" program which allows students to reduce their HECS fee obligations through their volunteering. VA says the scheme doesn't fall within the accepted definition and principals of formal volunteering. Read more

Christians and women bear the brunt of the nation's charity work
The Age
The 2006 Census by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has found Christians are more likely to do volunteer work than people with no religion... More women volunteered than men, regardless of how much paid work they did. Read more
 

South West Sydney CALD volunteer resource kit
TRI Community Exchange Inc
Enriching HACC Services: The Kit is a step-by-step guide for community services on how to recruit, retain and manage volunteers from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and has been written for services in South West Sydney region. Read more
   

Doing more with less – Corporate giving in 2009
Pro Bono Australia and LBG Research Institute
How is the economic downturn affecting corporate giving in 2009? An investigation by a US research group has found that corporates will be trying to do more in the community with less funds in the next 12 months. Read more
 

The impact of volunteering on health: UK Research
Volunteering England and OzVpm
A few months ago, Volunteering England released two reports from the NHS Impact Assessment Project - a summary of the findings, In Good Health and a how to go about it guide Health Check: how to assess the Impact of Volunteering in the NHS. Read more
 

The new volunteer workforce
David Eisner, Robert T. Grimm Jr., Shannon Maynard, & Susannah Washburn
Not-for-profits rely heavily on volunteers, but most CEOs do a poor job of managing them. As a result, more than one-third of those who volunteer one year do not donate their time the next year – at any not-for-profit. That adds up to an estimated $38 billion in lost labor (in US). To remedy this situation, nonprofit leaders must develop a more strategic approach to managing this overlooked and undervalued talent pool. The good news is that new waves of retiring baby boomers and energetic young people are ready to fill the gap. Read more
 

Youth Participation Grants
Youth Action & Policy Association NSW (YAPA)

The Youth Participation Grants Program gives young people the power and resources to develop and implement community activities in their local area.

A selection panel will award grants to young people who can demonstrate that:

• their project benefits the community in some way
• the idea for the project has come from young people
• the application has been created by young people
• their project will increase community interaction.

If you are aged between 12 and 25 years, and living in NSW, then make sure you apply for a youth participation grant! Potential projects include: performances; websites; workshops; radio programs; competitions; festivals; exhibitions; and publications to name a few. Applications close 24 April 2009. For more information check out www.yapa.org.au, phone Lam Huynh on 02 9319 1100 (ext 6) or email ypp@yapa.org.au.

2009 Networking Events for Volunteer Managers

The Centre's networking events are a great opportunity for people in the not-for-profit sector to meet each other, network and share their experiences, knowledge and learnings.

Numbers are limited and bookings are essential. There is a cost of $5 to attend and afternoon tea will be provided.
 

March Networking Event: Aboriginal cultural awareness
Tuesday, 17 March 2009 (Please note time change)
Level 2, 228 Pitt St, Sydney

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.

Email Odessa O'Brien or phone 02 9261 3600 to RSVP.
 

April Networking Event: How Invisible Children Inc. has created successful programs powered by youth volunteers

Tuesday, 21 April February 2009, 9am–11am (Please note time change)
Level 2, 228 Pitt St, Sydney

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. "Established in 2005, Invisible Children is a social, political, and global movement using the transformative power of a story to change lives, " states the organisation's website. "By inspiring youth culture to value creativity, idealism, and sacrifice, the movement fuels the most effective, adaptable, and innovative programs in the world."

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!

Email Odessa O'Brien or phone 02 9261 3600 to RSVP.
 

SCIP Networking Event for Teachers
Wednesday, 18 March 2009, 9am–11am (FULL)
Level 2, 228 Pitt St, Sydney

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.

This event is now full. If you are a teacher interested in attending this event in the future please email The Centre for Volunteering or phone 02 9261 3600!
 

Earth Hour
Saturday, 28 March 2009, 8.30pm

Earth Hour 2009 Ambassador Jamie Durie is uring all Australians to be part of Earth Hour on Saturday, 28 March, and send a statement to world leaders. "Earth Hour is your best opportunity to be part of a mass movement and show world leaders we expect Copenhagen to deliver real progress on climate change."

Find out why The Centre for Volunteering, and other organisations and individuals are supporting Earth Hour, and how you can help change history. Find out more
 

ACOSS National Conference 2009: Building a Fair Australia in Tough Economic Times
Thursday–Friday, 2–3 April 2009

The ACOSS National Conference 2009 will examine the impact of the economic downturn on fairness in Australia. How will low income and disadvantaged Australians be affected and how should policymakers and the community and welfare sector respond? Download a conference program

 
SVM's Short Courses: March–May 2009
The schedule of Short Courses for the three months commencing March 2009 is now available. It contains a range of personal and professional development courses, including the popular SpeakerBank Speak Up! Speak Out! courses. Read more

New registered training course and qualification for the School – the Diploma of Management (BSB51107)
The School's application to add the new Diploma of Management to its scope was approved by VETAB this month. Read more

SCIP and Youth Volunteering Report: March 2009

Maia Giordano recently ran a volunteer workshop for Year 11 students doing the International Baccalaureate at Ravenswood School for Girls. The workshop included presentations from Red Cross and NSW Cancer Council. It aims to give students an overview of volunteering and then some practical and interesting ways students can get involved.

Would you like a volunteer workshop for your students? If so email The Centre for more information. Email The Centre or phone 02 9261 3600.
 

Staff update: Welcome back Jacinthe Brosseau

The Centre has welcomed Jacinthe back from maternity leave after the birth of her son Rémy. Jacinthe will be conducting research and evaluation on youth volunteering and will be working part-time. She can be contacted on 02 9261 3600 or jbrosseau@volunteering.com.au

Staff update: Change of role for Kristin Romanis

The Centre bids farewell to Kristin Romanis as the Communications Manager this month. Kristin began working with The Centre as a communications producer from October 2003 up until March 2006, when she was promoted to Communications Manager. We are fortunate that she will continue her involvement as manager of The Centre's websites and e-newsletters on a contract basis. We wish Kristin well and extend our special thanks for all her hard work and commitment to volunteering and volunteers over the past 6 years.

© The Centre for Volunteering 2008 | ABN 28 002 416 024
Level 2, 228 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000
T: 02 9261 3600 | F: 02 9261 4033 | E: info@volunteering.com.au | W: www.volunteering.com.au
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