The Voice of Volunteering, Issue no 5, June 2007

Report: Skill-based volunteering on rise
National Australia Bank

NAB has released a report on global trends in skill-based volunteering, which draws on best practice and developments internationally. The report is an up-to-date analysis of how corporations are tapping into skills they hold in areas such as marketing, IT, financial planning, accounting and human resource management, and transferring those skills to help community organisations develop their operations. Read more
 

Office of the NSW Minister for Volunteering

The Centre has been informed that a new appointment has been made to the NSW Minister for Volunteering, the Hon. Linda Burney's staff for a policy officer dedicated to volunteering. The appointment of this policy officer will enable a direct conduit to the Minister's office regarding volunteering issues. The new policy officer will start on 4 June and will be meeting with Lynne Dalton, CEO, The Centre for Volunteering, to get a firsthand rundown on volunteering and related issues. If you would like any specific policy issues raised, please email Lynne Dalton.
 

Report: National Volunteer Week in review
The Centre for Volunteering

If you were unable to attend The Centre's May Networking Breakfast, you can now download the Networking Breakfast Report from the members-only website (Resources > Articles and Viewpoints). May's breakfast reflected 'the good, the bad and the ugly' of National Volunteer Week. Read the radical suggestions made about the future of National Volunteer Week. Visit The Centre's members-only website (if you are not a member of The Centre, download a membership application form today).
 

New book: Working with volunteers in sport
By Graham Cuskelly, Griffith University, Russell Hoye, La Trobe University and Chris Auld, Griffith University

The contribution of volunteers in terms of time and expertise is integral to sport development and delivery from 'sport for all' to elite levels. Good volunteer management and a clear understanding of the way volunteers work in sport is essential to develop and nurture this valuable group of individuals. This is the first book of its kind to examine the role of volunteers in sport, and links theory and research to provide clear guidelines for implementing good volunteer management practice. Read more

Members of The Centre for Volunteering can view author Professor Cuskelly's detailed presentation Working with sport volunteers: Trends, models, and possible directions on The Centre's members-only website (Resources > Speeches and Presentations).

Get your NAB Award nomination in today
Closing date: Friday, 8 June 2007

With just days remaining until entries close for the 2007 NAB Volunteer Awards, make sure you nominate your volunteer group today to share in over $200,000 in prize money. The 2007 NAB Volunteer Awards recognise best practice in volunteering. Find out more
  

NAB Award for Excellence in Corporate Volunteering
Closing date: Friday, 8 June 2007

As part of the 2007 NAB Volunteer Awards, Volunteering Australia has introduced a new national award that recognises excellence in employer-supported volunteering programs. The award prize of $5,000 funded by NAB will be donated to the not-for-profit organisation of the winning organisation's choice. If your organisation has an employee volunteering program visit the Volunteering Australia website to submit an application.
  

Volunteer Administrator Award of Excellence
Closing date: Sunday, 1 July 2007

Nominate your volunteer manager for the Australasian Association of Volunteer Administrators (AAVA) inaugural Volunteer Administrator Award of Excellence. This award will be given annually to a manager of volunteers for their outstanding contributions to the profession of volunteer administration and the promotion of volunteerism in the community. View the entry criteria and download a nomination form.

June Networking Breakfast Seminar – Evaluation practice in NSW not-for-profits
Tuesday, 19 June 2007, 8.30am–10.30am
Level 2, 228 Pitt Street, Sydney

This breakfast will be an opportunity for not-for-profit (NFP) organisations to talk about their current evaluation practice and the challenges. The breakfast will briefly identify resources available and the range of evaluation practices in NFP organisations. A report will be presented at the breakfast on a recent workshop run by the Australasian Evaluation Society. The breakfast will be facilitated by Dr Anton Mischewski, Research, Development and Policy Manager, The Centre for Volunteering. Participants will be organised into facilitated focus groups. Find out more

Numbers are limited. It is essential that you RSVP to attend and order breakfast in advance. Breakfast costs $5 and includes fruit salad, raisin toast and muffins. Tea and coffee are free. Email Dr Anton Mischewski or phone him on 02 9261 3600.
 

Free job skills training with SVM

Do you want to update your business skills? Are there people volunteering with you who need to undertake some training? Are you eligible for free job skills training valued at up to $3,000 each? Find out more
 

ASI fully funded education scholarships open to the public

Fully funded scholarships are available each year for full-time employees and permanent part-time of all not-for-profit organisations (includes both ASI customers and non-ASI customers) to attend nominated courses. Unless stated otherwise, scholarships are for course registration fees only. Registration fees will be paid directly to the course provider by the Scholarship Fund. Examples of courses with fully funded scholarships are SVM's Diploma of Business and the Fundraising Institute of Australia's Skills Training 1, 2, and 3. Read more
 

UNSW Volunteer Work Expo
Thursday, 2 August 2007, 3pm–6pm

This is an inaugural event for not-for-profit organisations seeking volunteers. Promote your volunteering opportunities to UNSW students from all faculties in all years. The purpose of the Volunteer Work Expo is to bring not-for-profit organisations and students together through presentations, panel discussions and company displays. There is no cost to participate. Places are limited. Visit the UNSW website for details and bookings.

Call for arts-related volunteer roles

The Volunteer Referral Service (VRS) is eager to have more roles available for volunteers interested in the arts. If you work in an arts organisation and have considered seeking volunteer help but don't know how, phone the VRS on 02 9261 3600 and we'll be very happy to discuss.

Young people and volunteering

Having recently visited a school to talk about volunteering opportunities, Alison Keene, The Centre's Volunteer Services Coordinator, is confident that the future of volunteering is alive and well! She said: "The students at Pymble Ladies' College were incredibly receptive to the principles of volunteering.  Indeed many of them were already involved in their community in small ways, not as part of their school curriculum, but just because they felt it was what they should do. I met one 15-year-old student who was researching ways how to set up her own charity – she was a real inspiration." Alison would like to urge organisations hesitant about taking on young people as volunteers that they are well worth the effort required – there is a pool of committed, energetic and lively helpers out there! To find out more about taking on young people as volunteers, phone Alison Keene on 02 9261 3600.
 

VWI and Members of The Centre for Volunteering

The Centre for Volunteering is no longer a part of the Voluntary Work Initiative (VWI) scheme. Read what has implications this has for member organisations on The Centre's members-only website (CEO's News).
 

CEO's National Volunteer Week activity report

Lynne Dalton, CEO, attended the Hunter Volunteer Centre annual awards during National Volunteer Week. The occasion was dedicated to acknowledging the many volunteer hours performed by people in the Hunter region over the past year. The youngest recipient of an award was an 11-year-old girl and the most senior was a lovely, sprightly lady in her 90s. Obviously, you are never too young or too old to volunteer. Tony Ross, manager, Hunter Volunteer Centre, organised an entertaining occasion and was supported locally by the Lord Mayor and MPs Matthew Morris, Member for Charlestown, and Sonia Hornery, Member for Wallsend.

Lynne Dalton also attended the Drummoyne Community Centre Volunteering Expo during National Volunteer Week and was mightily impressed by the work and dedication of the Centre staff, particularly Michael Collisson, Coordinator and Ros Lance, Centre Manager. The expo was privileged to have the Minister for Volunteering, the Hon. Linda Burney, attend as well as local member Angela D'Amore and Mayor Angelo Tsirekas. A number of volunteer organisations displayed at the expo with the dual purpose of informing and attracting potential volunteers. 

Lynne Dalton was invited by the Sydney Heritage Fleet to attend the launch of the documentary James Craig Sails Again celebrating the restoration of the sailing ship, the James Craig. This restoration has taken over 30 years to complete and required lots of donations. The dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm combined with professionalism, knowledge and technical skill of all the volunteers involved was truly awe-inspiring. Lynne urges anyone who has an opportunity to visit or sail on the James Craig to do so and, if you are not the sailing type, have a look at the Sydney Heritage Fleet's documentary of the restoration journey. You, too, will be impressed! Visit the Sydney Heritage Fleet's website.
 

© The Centre for Volunteering 2007 | 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
www.volunteering.com.au
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