The Voice of Volunteering, Issue no 6, July 2007

Nominate your volunteers for the
NSW Volunteer of the Year Award 2007
The Centre for Volunteering

On Tuesday, 19 June, The Centre for Volunteering and the Minister for Volunteering, the Hon. Linda Burney, launched the inaugural NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.

Lynne Dalton, CEO, The Centre for Volunteering, is calling for representatives of the thousands of not-for-profit organisations throughout NSW to nominate their most dedicated and productive workers.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from www.volunteering.com.au
  

ABS survey results
Volunteering Australia

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is in the process of releasing three surveys/summaries which include the latest findings on volunteering: 1) Census (June 2007); 2) Voluntary Work Survey (July 2007); and 3) General Social Survey: Summary of Findings (4159.0 May 2007).

There is usually a steady progression from research report to research report. In volunteering statistics in the Voluntary Work Survey: 24% Australians volunteered in 1996; 32% in 2001; and 34% in 2007 (the General Social Survey includes some of the information that will be published in the Voluntary Work Survey). The Census however has a national rate of volunteer participation of 17% which is half that of the Voluntary Work Survey. It is unclear why this is occurring and Volunteering Australia and the ABS are analysing the reasons for the difference. Read more
 

Members: Our volunteers need you!
Alison Keene, The Centre for Volunteering

The Centre's Volunteer Referral Service (VRS) is currently experiencing a desperate shortage of volunteer jobs. The VRS is inundated with volunteers looking for work, particularly in the clerical/administration/IT area and the positions it does have are being snapped up very quickly.

If you need volunteers, can you please list these job advertisements with the VRS as soon as possible, so that the VRS is able to assist both yourselves and its many keen volunteers who require placements.
 

Meeting of Volunteer Centre Network NSW
Alison Keene, The Centre for Volunteering

A meeting of the Volunteer Centre Network NSW (formerly COVERRS) was held from 21–22 June in Sydney and was attended by representatives from 16 regional volunteer resource centres. Read more
 

The benefits of online volunteering from your own computer and the use of Skype technology
Abby Lenehan, The Centre for Volunteering

You can do it in your PJs, in the dead of the night when you can't sleep, on a rainy Sunday afternoon, inside or out. All you need is a computer with Internet access and you can do online volunteering. Read more
 

Partnership pledges to promote volunteers' role in social activism
CIVICUS & United Nations Volunteers

The indispensable role of volunteers in helping countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals is to be explored in a new publication prepared jointly by the CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, United Nations Volunteers and the International Association for Volunteer Effort. These three institutions recently launched this project as part of a renewed joint agreement to "promote and generate greater awareness of the contributions of volunteers and the value of volunteer action to society." Read more (MS Word)

July Networking Breakfast Seminar – Promoting your program
Tuesday, 17 July 2007, 8.30am–10.30am
Level 2, 228 Pitt Street, Sydney

Want to know how to attract the right volunteers to your organisation? This breakfast will be an opportunity for not-for-profit organisations to talk about how they promote their volunteering program and their current gaps. Kristin Romanis, Communications Manager, The Centre for Volunteering, will offer insight into The Centre's programs including the Volunteer Referral Service and Fido. Kristin will also offer suggestions for writing job descriptions and job ads, raising awareness of your volunteering needs and your organisation in general and working with email, the internet and your local media to get your message out.

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 Kristin Romanis or phone her on 02 9261 3600.
 

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.
  

Australasian Retreat for Advanced Volunteer Management
Tuesday–Thursday, 25–27 September 2007, Hobart

The theme of the retreat is Positioning Our Profession and will feature three internationally recognised volunteer management experts – Susan J Ellis, Martin J Cowling and Andy Fryar. The retreat is limited to 52 participants. It is targeted at those who have been involved in the management of volunteer programs for more than two years.  The Retreat seeks to provide a personal, intense and tailored experience aimed at the seasoned volunteer management professional. For more details, please visit www.vpmretreat.com.au
  

Ninth International Volunteer Manager Appreciation Day
Thursday, 1 November 2007

IVMA Day is being celebrated once again and so now is the time to begin planning ways to celebrate the amazing work of volunteer managers in your agency! For more information and ideas on how to celebrate the day, visit www.ivmaday.org
 

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
 

Membership update

We would like to thank those members who have renewed their membership during the past couple of weeks.

For those of you who have put your membership invoice in your ever-growing in-tray, just a reminder that membership year ended on 30 June 2007. If you have any questions or concerns about your invoices, please email Lynne Dalton or phone her on 02 9261 3600.
 

We want to put faces to names!

We would love to have photos of our volunteer managers so we can put faces to names. Please email your photos to Lynne Dalton and tell us a little about yourself and your volunteers.
 

Successfully judged NSW entries for NAB Volunteer Awards

The Centre for Volunteering would like to thank the 19 volunteers, volunteer managers, NAB staff and The Centre staff who volunteered their time to help in the first round of judging the 226 entries from NSW for the 2007 NAB Volunteer Awards. We were privileged to be involved and we were all constantly inspired by the high standard of programs being run by not-for-profits throughout NSW. Winners will be announced in late August.
 

Issues and strategies in involving people with disabilities in the Arts sector

Gwenda Lawther, Head, The Centre's School of Volunteer Management, recently attended a consultation meeting where Accessible Arts NSW facilitated a discussion about issues and strategies involving people with disabilities in the arts sector. This includes artists, audiences and volunteers. Read more
 

Welcome back: Jacinthe Brosseau

The Centre for Volunteering has gladly welcomed back Jacinthe Brosseau, Community Project Coordinator. Jacinthe will resume management of The Centre's School Community Involvement Project (SCIP) as well as focussing on youth volunteering and special community projects. If you would like to discuss SCIP or youth volunteering email Jacinthe or phone (02) 9261 3600.
 

Farewell: Stephanie Sebalj

Last week, The Centre for Volunteering and the School of Volunteer Management bid a sad farewell to Stephanie Sebalj, Head, Training Services, SVM. Stephanie has been with SVM for the past 18 months and has played an integral role in the upgrading of SVM course material by running new training programs and conducting training consultancies. Stephanie worked extensively with Good Beginnings to develop a competency-based training and induction program for their volunteers and was the driving force behind implementing a user-friendly system for the Schools AQTF audit. Stephanie's attention to detail, willingness to assist members and professional approach will be sorely missed.

© 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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