February 2006

In This Issue

- Features              - Events & Training              - Latest News & Views

Australia answers call for volunteers
The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age

The Australian Labor Party has proposed an Australian Peace and Community Team (A-PACT), which it likened to an "Aussie US Peace Corps". It would offer people aged 18 to 24 significant incentives including TAFE scholarships and discounts on university fees to encourage them to become involved in community projects at home or aid work abroad.

"They need a reward," Labor leader Kim Beazley said. The Age opinion writer comments "the scheme itself is worthy enough, but most Australians do not seek a reward for voluntary activity". MORE

Is volunteering always about money? Who is a true volunteer?
The Centre for Volunteering and World Volunteer Web

Late last year World Volunteer Web, a global clearinghouse focusing on volunteerism, published two articles which ask the questions: Is volunteering always about money? Who is a true volunteer?

The articles, Volunteer in Yemen? 'Please be serious!' and Is volunteering just for the privileged few?, have sparked international interest and many people have entered the debate.

We encourage you to join the discussion, giving you an excellent opportunity to share with everyone your views on volunteerism. MORE

Breakfast Forum: 21 February 2006

Join us for our first Breakfast Forum in 2006 on Tuesday, 21 February (please note the start time has moved to 9am).

This year it is essential that you RSVP to attend. Breakfast is available at $5.00 per head and you must order it in advance. It includes fruit salad, raisin toast & muffins. Tea and coffee are provided free of charge. Please indicate when you RSVP if you would like to order breakfast.

9am-9:30am
Andrew Finlay, Museum Projects Officer, Museums & Galleries NSW

Museums & Galleries NSW is currently compiling a 'volunteer succession planning' workshop for community museums, councils, historical societies, libraries, support agencies, other collecting organisations in NSW, and volunteer organisations in general. The workshop will address the need for planning appropriate action for when a person who currently holds a key position in an organisation moves on or is no longer available.

Museums & Galleries NSW is looking for expressions of interest from volunteer organisations and their staff to either become trainers or to sign on as a partner in this important project.

9.30am-10.30am
Stephanie Sebalj, New Head of Training Services, School of Volunteer Management

Brief overview and discussion of the School of Volunteer Management's course Dealing with Stressful Conversations - Staffing Issues, which aims to assist volunteers and staff to develop and practise basic skills for use when conversations become stressful. It provides practical techniques for responding to distress and anger, from the general public, clients and co-workers.

RSVP to reserve your place & order breakfast
- Email Claudiene Duarte or call her on 9261 3600.
- Mark your calendar with the dates of our 2006 Breakfast Forums.

New pricing structure for SVM's Accredited Courses

The School of Volunteer Management is now offering even better value. We have re-structured our pricing to promote and support volunteering so that even more people can benefit from our Accredited Training Courses. The courses now represent an un-missable opportunity for your personal development.

> Read more about SVM's Accredited Training Courses.
> Enrol online to participate in these courses.

11th National Conference on Volunteering: 7-10 March 2006

Volunteering Australia's 11th National Conference on Volunteering will focus specifically on themes and issues relevant to volunteer involvement in major events. Whether it is international sporting events, cultural festivals or natural disasters and emergencies; volunteers involved in sport and recreation, culture and tourism and emergency management connects Australians to one another and to the rest of the world. The conference will also celebrate the unique contribution that volunteers make to international exchange and understanding.

Early bird full registration is available at $425. Early bird registrations have been extended to Friday 3rd February. All information about the conference is available on www.volunteering2006.com and online registration is now open.

National Volunteer Week: 15-21 May 2006

Volunteering Australia has advised the theme of this year's National Volunteer Week will be Change your world… start now.

There are various ways you can work with the theme - think of it as you can change your world by volunteering or we change your world by volunteering.

Suggested theme keywords include:

Change: choices, improvement, development, addition, learn, skills
Your: individual, decision, empower, control, develop, action
World: home, community, state, suburb, town, country, nation, international

As in previous years - subject to sponsorship - Volunteering Australia will develop a range of both physical and virtual products, tools, resources and materials which can be used to promote and prepare for the 2006 event.

For more information visit www.volunteeringaustralia.org

2006 Events Calendar
It's not too late to include your event in our 2006 Events Calendar! Just email Kristin Romanis with the following information about your event:

          - Name of event
          - Date of event
          - Organisation running the event
          - Website link where additional details can be obtained.

World of Difference Program
Vodafone Australia Foundation

The World of Difference Program offers four very lucky Australians aged 18 or older the chance to spend next year working for their favourite Australian registered charity, with a year's salary package (up to $50,000) and related expenses (up to $25,000) provided by Vodafone Australia Foundation. The Program recognises that while many people want to make a difference in the world, they often don't have the resources to focus on it full time.

Last year, 700 Australians applied for the program. So if you or your clients, volunteers or friends are interested in applying for this, visit the World of Difference website for more information. Applications close 24 February 2006.

Volunteering staff for aid work reaps big rewards
The Sydney Morning Herald

The Sydney Morning Herald looks briefly at how Westpac and Adecco Recruitment are developing corporate volunteering programs which merge not-for-profit and corporate organisations. "Companies are developing programs where employees spend up to two years working for a not-for-profit organisation." MORE

Creating baby boomer-friendly volunteer opportunities
World Volunteer Web, Changemakers.net and Volunteer Management Review

The world of volunteerism is going through a difficult transition as the GI Generation ages out of our programs and we look to younger generations to take their place. William Bridges in his bestseller, Managing Transitions, speaks of transition as consisting of three phases: endings, the neutral zone and new beginnings. Change begins with grieving what we have lost - and we in volunteerism have lost a lot. MORE

Research: Can corporate volunteering support the bottom line?
The Case Foundation and Hands On Network and World Volunteer Web

Many companies support and promote employee volunteering because of its perceived benefits to communities, employees, and companies themselves. But what is the impact, and how can it be measured?

This study focuses on the issue of corporate volunteerism and its impact on communities, employees and corporate bottom lines in the American context. After a thorough exploration of current and existing studies, as well as conversations with numerous corporate leaders, the findings are mixed, but promising. MORE

Research: Refugee women – from volunteers to employees
Working Lives Research Institute

Refuge women - from volunteers to employees is a Working Lives Research Institute project examining employment pathways between working as a volunteer and finding employment in refugee community organisations, refugee agencies and organisations in the wider voluntary and community sector. MORE

Copyright © 2006 The Centre for Volunteering | ABN 28 002 416 024
Level 2, 228 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Ph 02 9261 3600 | Fax 02 9261 4033 | info@volunteering.com.au
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