The Voice of Volunteering, Issue no 7, August 2008

New guide on volunteers and tax
The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has released its up-dated guide on Volunteers and Tax, outlining the tax treatment of transactions between not-for-profit organisations and their volunteers. Download this free publication

Fair Trading launches staff volunteering project
Fair Trading and Volunteering Minister, Linda Burney, has launched its volunteering pilot program following overwhelmingly positive support from staff for the initiative.

Ms Burney said the pilot program will allow Fair Trading employees to take a day off work to volunteer for a community-based not-for-profit organisation.  "I'm proud that Fair Trading is one of the first agencies to explore this exciting option and I hope that, if successful, the pilot will see the start of a whole-of-government initiative." Read more

Did you know that your local government Councillor is a volunteer?
Many people think that Councillors are like State and Federal Members of Parliament and that they get paid for the work that they do. Actually most Councillors merely receive an allowance to help cover some of the costs that are involved with having to have a phone, write to constituents, or make visits to community groups and events. The four yearly Local Government Elections will be held on Saturday, 13 September 2008 and this is your opportunity to vote for one of those people volunteering their time and resources to represent you. As a service the NSW Electoral Commission has introduced a newsletter to assist people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds understand how the system works. Find out more

Global Volunteer Management Survey results
People First - Total Solutions conducted the first Global Volunteer Management Survey in 2007-2008. 851 managers in 23 countries responded providing information about themselves, their attitudes and their volunteer programs. Download the summary of results

Warning – beware of phony publishers
Volunteering Australia has issued a warning to all business operators to be wary of disreputable publishers claiming to publish magazines on behalf of volunteer based groups and soliciting advertising support. Read more

Olympics push for volunteer service
Many tangible results will remain after the Beijing Olympics, including the Volunteers' Square at the Olympic Park, the Beijing Voluntary Service Foundation, the volunteer service information system, voluntary service stations in city operations, the volunteer hotline, and volunteer service in public welfare projects. Read more

  
Nominate for the 2008 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award
Nominations for the 2008 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award and the 2008 NSW Corporate Volunteer of the Year Award close on Monday, 30 September.
Nominate your volunteers online today

Nominate now for 2008 Justice Awards
Nominations are open until 15 August for the 2008 Justice Awards, which recognise individuals and organisations working to improve access to justice in NSW, particularly for socially and economically disadvantaged people. Nominate online

NFP Networking Event: How liable is your organisation?
Tuesday, 19 August 2008, 3pm–5pm
Level 2, 228 Pitt St, Sydney

The All Things to All People Community Centre has a problem. One of its clients has been injured and is threatening to sue and there were no witnesses to the injury. A staff member on duty at the time has gone home sick saying she was under too much pressure being expected to work alone. She has since lodged a complaint against the centre. And the story goes on.

Who was liable for the injury suffered by the client? What are the rights of the staff member on duty at the time? These are just some of the issues Margaret White will discuss at this Networking Event.

Margaret White, LLM, works as a legal officer with the Anti-Discrimination Board and for many years has been the School of Volunteer Management's legal trainer and presenter of the School's popular Legally Speaking Workshops.

RSVP today
All volunteer managers are very welcome to these events. Numbers are limited and booking is essential. Email Odessa O'Brien or phone 02 9261 3600 to RSVP. There is a cost of $5 to attend and afternoon tea will be provided.

School of Volunteer Management update

New SVM website
The School has recently launched its new website, following a major review and restructure of its courses, workshops and other training services, and an increase in the topics and services available. Check out the School's new website

New public short courses
The School has launched a range of two and three hour public short courses and is running the following in the coming month:

  - SpeakersBank's Speak Up! Speak Out! 1: Thursday, 4 September 2008

  - Understanding Yourself and Others: Thursday, 11 September 2008

  - Advanced Speak Up! Speak Out!: Wednesday, 17 September 2008

  - Topical Legal Issues – Liability, Rights and Duty of Care: Thursday, 25
    September 2008

Register for these courses online (please note registration closes two weeks prior to the course). Watch the SVM website for more courses.

New Trainers at SVM
The School has engaged two new trainers, Adrienne Unger and Narayan van de Graaff, to deliver its Professional Development and Customised Workshops and to tutor students enrolled in its Accredited Courses.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) – A pathway of opportunity
Avoid months or years of study and obtain your nationally recognised qualification (a certificate or diploma) for 20% less than the normal course fee if you are a member of The Centre for Volunteering. See how easy it is to obtain a nationally recognised certificate or diploma through RPL

Individual Training
The School has recently introduced a number of individual training options for managers and coordinators of volunteers, with some options offering personal training and tutoring. Individual Training covers a large number of topics, can be delivered immediately and is very cost effective. Find out more

Second National Volunteering Research Symposium
Tuesday, 2 September 2008, 9am–5pm
Radisson Resort, Gold Coast

Registration to attend Volunteering Australia's Second National Volunteering Research Symposium is now open. Academic researchers with published research in the area of volunteering, or honours, masters and PhD students pursuing volunteering as a field of research should not miss this event.

2008 Strategic Planning Survey
Recently the Board of The Centre for Volunteering undertook a review of its strategic directions and has prioritised its objectives for the coming years. As part of that review process the Board is inviting feedback and comments from its members regarding these objectives. Members are reminded that The Centre for Volunteering's 2008 Strategic Planning Survey closes on Monday, 11 August 2008 and can be completed online.

SCIP/Youth volunteering report
Maia Giordano, Youth Volunteer Program Manager

At the end of June, Maia Giordano conducted a workshop on volunteering and Student Community Involvement Program (SCIP) at the NSW Department of Education’s South Western Sydney Regional Student Representative Council (SRC) Conference. Students were from schools in the South Western Sydney area.

Over the school holidays there have been a huge increase in the number of enquiries from young people (or their parents) wanting to volunteer.

Call for guest speakers: Does your organisation engage young people as volunteers?
If you would like to develop links with schools in your area, your organisation may be interested in becoming a guest speaker at the SCIP in-school seminars. It’s a great opportunity to share your work and educate young people about the work you do and the opportunities for them to get involved as volunteers.

If you would like more information, please call 9261 3600 0r email info@volunteering.com.au.

© 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
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