 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
 |
- The Centre for Volunteering's news, research reports, vacancies, staff updates and more
- The latest training news and opportunities from the School of Volunteer Management
- Nominate your NFP for the 2011 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award
- Events: Networking Event topics and change to VA Conference date and location
- Latest national and international volunteering news |
|
 |
|
Skilled Diversity Project Final Report  (September 2011)
The Centre for Volunteering's Skilled Diversity Project seeks to ensure that Highly Skilled Culturally Diverse (HSCD) volunteers are socially included and can contribute to the not-for-profit organisations that recruit them in a meaningful and rewarding way for both parties. It also provides a source of highly skilled potential employees for Australian business, with their prior learning recognised and certified as work-ready. The opportunities from this project for HSCD volunteers are to gain a better understanding of the Australian workplace culture, getting assistance in maintaining their skills by making use of their professional capability, improving their communication skills and ultimately being assisted in their transition to the paid workforce. Download the Report |
|
Inaugural Mark Lyons Community Management Scholarship has been Awarded
This year, UTS Business School awarded the Inaugural Mark Lyons Community Management Scholarship to Deborah Tighe. Deborah is a UTS Business School Community Management student, with family origins from the Kamilaroi and Wakka Wakka people. Following the devastation of Cyclone Yasi, Deborah was forced to relocate down South whilst keeping busy as the primary carer for her three small grandchildren...The Centre for Volunteering will donate $15,000 to the scholarship and will contribute to supporting future Scholarship awardees. Read more |
|
Want to bring fresh ideas, energy and new skills to your organisation?
Could your organisation benefit from engaging volunteers with bucketloads of energy, enthusiasm, fresh ideas and varied skills to help with particular tasks or projects? The Centre can put you in touch with individual or groups of young people who are very keen to get involved and contribute to their community in a volunteer capacity. Many of them will be doing so as part of a school/university community involvement program which means that key insurance requirements are covered by the educational facility (you will need to discuss this).
Research shows that young volunteers can benefit your organisation in numerous ways, including:
- Develop a base of future supporters
- Increase awareness about sector issues and the organisation
- Develop a giving mentality/philanthropy
- Build inter-generational connections
- Youth volunteers are pro-active and have a positive attitude
- Bring new talents/fresh ideas to the organisation
- Connect you with new communication technologies
Source: SCIP Evaluation Report 2010, The Centre for Volunteering
To benefit from youth volunteering, please email Jacinthe Brosseau,
Community Development Manager. |
|
 |
|
 Funded training opportunities for volunteer managers
After ongoing consultation with members of The Centre and associates and discussion with the Volunteer Centre Network, the School is looking for interest from not-for-profits for funding for existing workers under the new round of Strategic Skills Program (SSP). This is similar to NSW Productivity Places Program (PPP), which is part of the Australian Government's Skilling for the Future Initiative. Skills shortage areas exist in the Community Services/Volunteering sector and training possibilities exist for managers of volunteers. The process involves consultation with an organisation for their training needs, then the School will approach DET with a training request. If successful, the training may commence in the discussed timeframe. Funding for the Program allows successful applicants to enrol in either the Diploma of Business or Diploma of Management, or Cert IV in Volunteer Program Coordination for only a small DET-aligned enrolment fee. If you would like to discuss your training gaps and interest in this program, please email Mark Tippett
|
|
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment TAE40110
The TAE40110 has superseded the TAA40104 (Certificate IV in Training and Assessment) and is now available at the School. The Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is the minimum requirement for training positions or employment in VET. The TAE40110 has become the benchmark and is mandatory for trainers/assessors in the context of an accredited qualification. Achievement of this qualification or an equivalent by trainers and assessors is a requirement of the Australian Quality Training Framework Essential Standards for Registration of a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). The course is made of 10 units, three of which are electives units – studied online. Read more |
|
Certificate IV in Volunteer Program Coordination CHC42708
This new course made up of 10 units is quite relevant to the sector, offering modules in recruitment and induction of volunteers and team effectiveness. The course is taught via distance learning with an appointed tutor. The Diploma of Community Services Coordination will be available in the second half of 2011. Find out more |
|
| ASQA Replaces VETAB
The Australian Skills Quality Authority replaced VETAB as the new regulatory body for all Registered Training nationally. This means greater quality through improved national processes for all Registered Training Organisations, such as the School of Volunteer Management. To read more, visit www.asqa.gov.au |
|
Partner with the School to deliver registered training courses
Has your organisation considered partnering with the School to deliver Registered Training Courses for your staff and volunteers, allowing them to achieve nationally recognised qualifications, such as the Certificate I in Active Volunteering, in-house using your own resources? Find out how to partner with the School |
|
Volunteer training and training resources
The School partners with selected organisations to promote their volunteer training and training resources they have developed. Find out more about what is available and how to promote your volunteer training and training resources through the School. |
|
"Ignite MasterClass: Work Within a Legal and Ethical Framework" Accredited Training
26 October 2011 | Sydney CBD | $450 members, $495 non-members
Join us a jam-packed day of training (focused on the NFP sector) with international renowned trainer, Martin Cowling. The full day training will be restricted to a maximum of 16 participants. After completing a take-home assessment, participants are accredited with one unit from the Certificate IV in Volunteer Program Coordination. Read more |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 National Volunteer Awards
Federal Member for Sydney Tanya Plibersek is calling for nominations from the local community for the National Volunteer Awards. The Gillard Labor Government has announced an awards campaign to recognise individuals who make an outstanding contribution to their local community through volunteering. "Volunteering is an essential part of the Sydney community. Volunteering connects us, strengthens our sense of belonging and creates positive relationships that build a stronger local community," said Tanya Plibersek. Read more
|
|
2011 AAVA Volunteer Manager Award of Excellence
The Australasian Association of Volunteer Administrators annually recognises a manager of volunteers for his or her outstanding contributions to the profession of volunteer administration/management and the promotion of volunteerism in the community. This last year has continued to see volunteers working across all sectors of society, and involved in events that shape the lives and futures of not only those they support and work with but also the volunteers themselves. Nominations close 17 October 2011. Download the application form  |
|
2011 NSW Sports Volunteer Awards
The NSW Sports Volunteer Awards are a new initiative by the NSW Sports Federation. The statewide Sports Volunteer Awards recognise outstanding achievements and contributions of volunteers in sport in NSW. There are over 450,000 people across the state who voluntarily dedicate their time each year through their involvement in sporting clubs and organisations. Simply, sport in NSW would not exist without them! Recognition will be given to 21 winners across seven categories. Nominations close 31 October 2011 and winners will be announced 7 December 2011. Find out more and download an application form |
|
 |
|
Volunteer Managers' Monthly Networking Event Calendar: October and November 2011
- Tuesday, 18 October 2011: Legally Speaking
Tulsi Levin de Graaff, School of Volunteer Management
- Tuesday, 15 November 2011: University Student Volunteering
Jacinthe Brosseau, The Centre for Volunteering
Numbers are limited, booking is essential. Email The Centre for Volunteering to RSVP
 |
|
Feedback on Ignite Volunteering Conference – 14 September 2011
Last week, over 160 delegates from NSW and beyond joined together for The Centre for Volunteering's state conference on volunteer management at The Marriott Hotel, Sydney CBD. This year's conference theme was "inspire and engage" with over 20 speakers delivering 16 workshops and plenary sessions on topics within volunteer management and the NFP sector. The conference was kicked off in the morning by Martin J. Cowling, Dr Bronwen Dalton and Alan Bates – all delivering inspiring words to the group. Delegates attended a broad range of workshops included "engaging your donors", "leadership and ethics in the NFP sector" , "recruiting volunteers" and many more. Margaret Bell, CEO, Chain Reaction finished the day with a rousing presentation on how we can all show leadership in volunteer management.
One delegate commented via email "I came away inspired, affirmed in many aspects and certainly with a whole lot of new knowledge and ideas – it was such a fulfilling and motivating day. One of the most impressive outcomes for me was the practical nature of each of the sessions I attended and the immediate opportunity to use knowledge I gained."
Thank you to all delegates for your high level of participation through the day, and to speakers for making the day so valuable to all attending. |
|
OH&S Information Sessions
Are you ready for the new OH&S Legislation to commence on January 1 in 2012? Are you a PCBU? Do you know what a PCBU is? The new legislation now includes volunteers as "workers" so have you undertaken a review of your policies and practices to ensure a safe working environment for your volunteer – both mentally and physically? The Centre will be hosting a number of information sessions over the coming months so if you would like to come along, please email your expression of interest to Lynne Dalton. |
|
 Date and venue change: National Conference on Volunteering
Due to issues following the floods in Brisbane, the date and venue for Volunteering Australia's upcoming National Conference on Volunteer have change to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on the dates Monday 28th to Wednesday 30th November 2011 (the first social function, Casual Drinks and Registration will be held on Sunday 27th November). Find out more
|
|
 |
|
 Grant Applications Open
Applications are open for the NSW Government's Community Building Partnership program which provides grant funding for community infrastructure projects. $300,000 is available in each electoral district to contribute towards the cost of building important community infrastructure to improve the delivery of community services. Applicants should demonstrate how their project will benefit their local community through the building or improvement of facilities to deliver positive social, recreational or environmental outcomes. Applications close Monday 31 October 2011. Find out more
|
|
 Call for Stall Holders – Southern Sydney Volunteer Expo: 27 October 2011
The popular Southern Sydney Volunteer Expo is back in Hurstville with more opportunities for you to recruit volunteers, promote your service and develop your professional skills as a volunteer manager! This is one event you cannot aff ord to miss.
- Download Flyer
- Download Expression of Interest Form 
- Visit Website
|
|
 Position Vacant: Volunteering Coordinator
Are you enthusiastic about coordinating a growing volunteer workforce? Anglican Retirement Villages, one of the leading organisations in the delivery of superior innovative aged care services within a Christian caring environment, is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join their team in South Sydney as a part time 21 hrs a week Volunteering Coordinator, with the potential to be full time in the future and a competitive remuneration on offer. Find out more
|
|
Position Vacant: Part Time Career Support Manager Role
Dress for Success Sydney has a new opportunity on their team: a part time position for a Career Support Program Manager (initially 10-14 hours per week) from October/November 2011. This position will be responsible for co-ordinating and managing the Dress for Success Sydney integrated suite of initiatives, including the review of the career support pilot programs, co-ordination and management of current program and providing direction for future services to meet the specific needs of our clients. Read more |
|
The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) (GIPA Act)
Profound changes to issues and practice surrounding public information and how the public may access it. In the nutshell; the new Act represents a change of emphasis from one based on prohibitions and protections (which enable bureaucrats and politicians to withhold information) to one of an assumption of general entitlement (which enables members of the public to access information more easily). The Centre for Volunteering will be devoting one of its monthly network sessions to the new Act with a presentation from government officials involved in education and promotion of the Act and its effects. More details on this to follow. |
|
 Street by Street – Call for Participants
Recovering the practice, and art, of neighbourliness.
Street by Street is a national neighbourhood support program that links people who live in the same street or nearby. They would like to hear from individuals and organisations around the country interested in participating in rolling out Street by Street. Community centres, service clubs, neighbourhood houses, scout and guide groups, and voluntary associations are some of the organisations participating in auspicing a local Street by Street initiative. Read more
|
|
More National Volunteering and Not-for-Profit News
|
|
International Volunteering News and Features
|
|
© The Centre
for Volunteering 2011, All Rights Reserved (ABN 28 002 416 024) |
|
