The Voice of Volunteering, Issue no 10, November 2007

Recognise your volunteers on International Volunteer Day: December 5
The Centre for Volunteering

Whether your celebrations are large or small, International Volunteer Day (IVD) recognises the work of volunteers globally. There are many ways to recognise and thank volunteers. Volunteering Australia's website offers:

• A Certificate of Appreciation able to be personalised for each of your volunteers.
• 101 tips giving you some simple ideas on how to recognise your volunteers.
• A community diary to list details of your IVD event.

Don't forget The Centre's volunteering merchandise makes great recognition gifts.

Volunteers from cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
School of Volunteer Management

Do you know that volunteers from cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds can bring knowledge of specific cultures to your organisation and enrich your programs? The Commonwealth Government has recently launched the CALD Implementation Project. As part of this project, information about a training program and manual to help not-for-profits recruit and support volunteers from CALD backgrounds is available at the SVM website. Phone Geoff Copeland, Manager SVM, on 9261 3600 to arrange training for your organisation.

Department of Education and Training's Student Volunteering Program
NSW Minister for Volunteering

Following the appointment of Linda Burney MP as Minister for Volunteering after the 2007 election, the Iemma Government made a number of volunteering election commitments. One of these is the commitment of $7.8 million to support a Student Volunteering Program in High Schools for students in Years 9 and 10 to provide a significant opportunity to develop the core values of care, respect, responsibility and participation through volunteering. Read more

Minister for Volunteering's Report
NSW Minister for Volunteering

Consulting with representatives of regional volunteer centres and local community organisations that rely on volunteers is a significant focus for the NSW Minister for Volunteering, Linda Burney.

"The advice and input on key volunteering issues I receive from organisations around the State continues to be critical in informing the development of a strategic direction for volunteering in NSW," said Ms Burney.

Read more about Ms Burney's activities during October.
 

Global Volunteer Management Survey
People First Total Solutions

People First -Total Solutions are conducting research into the state of volunteer management globally. The results will be used to identify trends and issues; develop appropriate training resources; provide data for articles; assist organisations to see what volunteer managers are saying and feeling; and raise the profile of managers/coordinators of volunteers. Complete the survey online today.

Christmas volunteering jobs
The Centre for Volunteering

With Christmas just around the corner, we are receiving lots of enquiries from individuals, groups and corporates about Christmas volunteering. If you need any additional support for your Christmas projects, please let us know ASAP.

Email Alison Keene or phone her on 9261 3600.

The Centre for Volunteering's Networking Breakfasts

Ensuring the future of volunteering: Engaging young people as volunteers in your organisation
Tuesday, 20 November 2007, 8.30am–10.30am
Level 2, 228 Pitt Street, Sydney

Facilitator: Jacinthe Brosseau, The Centre's Youth Volunteering and SCIP Manager

This Breakfast will examine the ins and outs of engaging young people as volunteers in your organisation. The guest speaker will be Jessica Bell from The Inspire Foundation. The Inspire Foundation's mission is to create opportunities for young people to change their world and their vision is to have a global impact on young people's mental health and wellbeing. Jess is coordinator for the ActNow program that provides young people with opportunities to find out more about their world and take action on the issues they care about.

Teachers and students from SCIP schools are also invited to attend and share their perspectives on youth volunteering and community involvement.

RSVP and order breakfast Numbers are limited. RSVP is essential. Please order your $5 breakfast in advance. Tea and coffee are free. Email Jacinthe Brosseau or phone her on 02 9261 3600.

2008 Networking Breakfast dates

Don't miss out on The Centre's Networking Breakfasts next year. Put the 2008 Breakfast dates in your diary.

Half-day workshops in public speaking
Tuesday, 27 and Thursday, 29 November 2007, 9.30am–12.30pm
Level 2, 228 Pitt Street, Sydney

Following the hugely successful pilot workshops held on 23 October, the School of Volunteer Management is partnering with SpeakersBank Australia Inc to present these affordable workshops throughout Sydney, the metropolitan area and regional NSW to members and others in the NFP sector.

Find out how you can book your place.

Speak Up! Speak Out! Public Speaking Workshops piloted
Workshops conducted by SpeakersBank

On Tuesday, 23 October 2007, The Centre for Volunteering arranged for SpeakersBank to conduct two pilot 3-hour public speaking workshops, which were offered to participants at a reduced fee. There was a fantastic response with both workshops (each limited to 20) being over subscribed. Priority was given to representatives of organisations participating in The Centre's Student Community Involvement program (SCIP). The workshops were conducted by Dale Rees-Bevan of SpeakersBank Australia Inc, who has been involved in public speaking and training since 1993. The fast, fun and supportive workshops allow participants to learn and develop public speaking skills, and to obtain tips and techniques to be a better communicator generally. Read more about SVM's workshop pilot.

Regional winners of the NSW Volunteer of the Year decided

Regional winners of the NSW Volunteer of the Year Award 2007 will be announced at a series of functions taking place around the state in November. The regional winners will go on to a statewide judging process for the inaugural NSW Volunteer of the Year Award. The winner will be announced at a function on International Volunteers Day on 5 December.

Not-For-Profit Network Award finalists
Not-For-Profit Network

The finalists have been announced for the Not-For-Profit Network Awards. The Not-For-Profit Network Awards recognise the efforts of not-for-profit organisations, people, and projects that  are achieving outstanding work within the Australian and New Zealand sector. Take a look at the finalists.

nab and Volunteering Australia's Corporate Volunteering Award winner announced
Volunteering Australia

Westpac is the winner of the 2007 Corporate Volunteering Award for Excellence. The award, managed by Volunteering Australia in conjunction with the National Australia Bank, recognises best practice, innovation and community impact in employee volunteering programs. The award is a credit to Westpac's employees and highlights their passion for getting involved in the community. Read more

Training Course Developer – Expressions of interest
EOI's close: Friday, 7 December 2007

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are invited from experienced training course developers to develop a Certificate IV Course in Community Parenting. Sound knowledge of child care and parenting issues will be highly regarded. VETAB has approved the development of the course and the course developer is to document the course for accreditation by VETAB by 30 June 2008, and develop the supporting training materials by 30 September 2008. Find out more

Special event volunteering
Alison Keene, The Centre for Volunteering

It is 'special event' season! The Volunteer Referral Service has recently seen a huge demand for volunteers to help at special events. More than 20 events have come our way since early  September. For example, there was the fabulous installation at Carriageworks, where volunteer guides were helping people take a ride in a giant teacup, while listening to their favourite love song! There was also the Day of Difference Junior Games, where over 200 physically disabled children from all over the world competed at the Academy of Sport in Narrabeen. There are lots of special events not requiring a long-term commitment that you can be involved in. Find out about these events, such as the Sydney Festival in January 2008, and ask your family and friends to volunteer with you. You will all have a lot of fun helping many worthy causes!

October Networking Breakfast Report
Alison Keene, The Centre for Volunteering

Volunteer managers met to discuss the tremendous opportunities available to implement Volunteer Australia's new guidelines for including volunteers from CALD backgrounds at The Centre's October Networking Breakfast.

If you missed this forum and would like more information, please email Alison Keene or phone her on 9261 3600.

You can download the free Practical Guide to Involving Volunteers from CALD Backgrounds from the Volunteering Australia website.

School Community Involvement Program Report
Jacinthe Brosseau, The Centre for Volunteering

On Thursday, November 1, SCIP ran workshops on student volunteering and community involvement at the Sydney Region SRC Conference in Hurstville. Feedback on the workshop was positive and the students provided some insightful comments. The young people will take back what they learned to their respective schools with the aim of promoting youth/student community involvement and volunteering.

Volunteer Referral Service Report
Alison Keene, The Centre for Volunteering

Alison Keene, our Volunteer Services Coordinator, recently visited two organisation members: the Nepean Volunteer Service Inc and the Inner West Neighbour Aid. Read more

VRS is missing Billie
The VRS is sorely missing its longest-serving volunteer at the moment. Billie has been working at Volunteering NSW for 26 years, but has been unwell recently, and we wish her a speedy recovery. Her stories of pre-computer days, when each of the thousands of volunteers were listed in a card index, and sent hand-typed letters, always make us grateful for technological advances!

© 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 | W: www.volunteering.com.au
Unsubscribe | Update Your Details | Privacy