Breaking News: NSW Volunteering portfolio moved to Citizenship and Communities

As a result of the state elections last month, the volunteering portfolio has moved to sit under the Minister for Citizenship, Communities and Aboriginal Affairs and Member for Ryde, the Hon. Victor Dominello, MP.

In 1991 Mr Dominello was admitted as a practitioner of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia. In 2000, Mr Dominello became a partner of Etheringtons Solicitors. In September 2008, Victor was pre-selected by the Liberal Party to be its candidate for the state seat of Ryde in the October 2008 by-election.

The Voice of Volunteering will hopefully interview Mr Dominello in the weeks to come, to hear about the Government's and his plans to support volunteerism as an integral part of the fabric of NSW.

The Centre for Volunteering's Volunteer Managers' Monthly Networking Event

When: Tuesday, 19 April 2011, 2–4pm
Where: Level 3, 40 Gloucester St, The Rocks (please note our new address)
Presenter: Jacinthe Brosseau, The Centre for Volunteering

With an increasing number of schools running student volunteering programs as the NSW Department and Education and Training continues to implement its NSW Premier's Student Volunteering Awards program, the number of students calling The Centre for Volunteering and other organisations in search of volunteer work is on the rise. What does this mean for students, schools and the not-for-profit sector?

Numbers are limited, booking is essential. Email The Centre for Volunteering to RSVP

More 2011 Volunteering Events

• Baby Boomer & Retirees Lifestyle Expo, Friday–Sunday, 13–15 May, Sydney Exhibition Centre
• 2011 Australasian Retreat for Advanced Volunteer Management, 25–27 May, Wellington
• Practical Legal Compliance 2011 23–24 June, Hilton Sydney
• National Conference on Volunteering, 9–11 November, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
  

The Centre for Volunteering is hosting two half-day Ignite Workshops, presented by international Volunteer Management expert and President of Energize, Inc., Susan J. Ellis on Wednesday, 1 June 2011 within the Sydney CBD. Each workshop will be restricted to a maximum of 40 people enrolled, allowing for optimum learning. More information on location, cost and time will be available closer to the date.

Morning Workshop: From the Top Down: The Executive Role in Successful Volunteer Involvement
For Executive Directors (Volunteer Managers are encouraged to attend with their Executive Director) within the community sector.

Afternoon Workshop: Volunteers and Employees: Tension or Teamwork?
For Volunteer Managers and Coordinators within the community sector.

Please email your expression of interest to Jacqui Hastings at ignite@volunteering.com.au

Susan's Tip of the Month: Bringing volunteer contributions to the attention of financial donors
Knowing whether and how an organisation engages volunteers reveals a great deal about that organisation – facts that any funder, accrediting agency, or donor would want to know. When your organisation seeks donations or grants, does it include relevant information about volunteer involvement to bolster its case? Read more

Is volunteering on the rocks?
Not by any means. But volunteering is definitely in The Rocks, Sydney. The state body for volunteering, The Centre for Volunteering (incorporating Volunteering NSW and the School of Volunteer Management), has moved to 40 Gloucester Street, The Rocks. Lynne Dalton, CEO, said of the move: "This is a great opportunity to bring Volunteering NSW into a new chapter of service provision, building on our strong foundation. The volunteering bureau in 1974 was built on the same aspirations we value today – to support communities and individuals across NSW through volunteering in all its forms". Read more | Download instructions on finding The Centre's new home in The Rocks

Donation received from Linda Burney

The Centre for Volunteering would like to acknowledge the generous financial support it received from the then Minister for Communities Services,Linda Burney. This funding assisted in covering the costs of moving office from The Centre's previous Pitt Street location to its new location in The Rocks. Before being appointed Minister for Communities Services, Ms Burney was the second Minister for Volunteering in NSW.

Highly Skilled Volunteer seeking an opportunity with a not-for-profit organisation

Do you need assistance with organisational development, strategic planning or project management? The Centre for Volunteering has a highly skilled volunteer with a corporate/legal background who is looking for an opportunity to assist a not-for-profit organisation. This is a great opportunity to do that project or plan that you have been putting off because you don't have the right skills 'in house' or can't afford to pay somebody at this point.

If you are interested in learning more, please email Mike MacLeod or phone him on 8295 7021 with details of your project and what you are hoping to achieve.

2010 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award winners

In December 48 Regional Individual, Youth and Senior Volunteer Winners, 19 Regional Volunteer Team Winners and six Employee Volunteers gathered for the announcement of the 2010 NSW Volunteer of the Year winners at Parliament House Sydney.

Congratulations to Graham Symes, Timothy Bayl, Bill Phippen, Christaan Cartledge, Warrawong Community Kitchen Lunch Volunteer Team, 2WAR FM Volunteer Team, and Rodney Lowe.

– View the State Award Ceremony photo gallery

– Meet the 2010 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award winners

More Awards

• 2011 FIA National Volunteer of the Year 2011 Award announced
• 2011 World Environment Day Awards close 5pm, Friday, 6 May

International Year of the Volunteer 10th Anniversary (2011)
IVY+10 is being celebrated internationally throughout 2011. It offers an exceptional opportunity to join a global effort to reinvigorate the spirit of volunteerism. More than 40 international volunteer-based organisations, have come together to claim recognition for volunteers. How is your organisation celebrating IVY+10? Email Kristin Romanis to add your event to The Centre's upcoming IVY+10 Events Calendar.

National Volunteering Strategy Consultation report
CommunityNet
National Volunteering Strategy Consultation finds volunteers have a growing preference for online volunteering and more young people want to get involved. The report polled more than 800 volunteering groups and found that traditional forms of volunteering remain popular but new forms of participation were emerging and needed to be accommodated. Download Report

Averil Fink, 1922–2011: Better rights for millions is her rich legacy
Sydney Morning Herald
Averil Fink came into the public spotlight when she applied for a job with the NSW Council on the Aging in 1967. She found there a need far greater than the public appreciated. It extended to disabled people everywhere and those obliged to be carers...During her tenure, the NSW Council on the Aging was instrumental in establishing the NSW Volunteers Bureau (now Volunteering NSW). Read more

More National Volunteering and Not-for-Profit News

• Australians more likely to volunteer in 2011, says survey
• Non-profits lose sight of volunteer heritage
• Hidden cost of free labour: interns
• Qld thanks NSW volunteers
• Baby Boomers: Golden age or bursting bubble?
• Submission in Response to the Scoping study for a national not-for-profit regulator
• New magazine: The Difference designed to help Australia's wealthiest make a difference to the lives of our nation's most disadvantaged
• Perfect Storm Threatens NFP Sector: ACOSS Conference outcome
• Volunteering Australia's Volunteering Sector Policy Update
• New Tenancy Laws in NSW affect volunteers and not-for-profits alike
• 2011 Census – Census Collector jobs open 9 April 2011

International Volunteering News

• PM announces new awards program to recognise Canada's volunteers
• Local spending cuts threaten volunteering movement in UK

© The Centre for Volunteering 2011, All Rights Reserved (ABN 28 002 416 024)