The Voice of Volunteering, Issue no 9, October 2008

Annual Volunteering Issues Survey released
Volunteering Australia

Volunteering Australia has released the finding of the 2008 National Survey of Volunteering Issues. The survey aims to identify issues that affect volunteers and may impact on their ability to volunteer, as well as issues that challenge volunteer based organisations.

Volunteering Australia CEO, Cary Pedicini, said that some results were not surprising. "28% of volunteers surveyed said that the costs of volunteering had a negative impact on their volunteering, whilst nearly half (47%) said they do not receive any reimbursement for the volunteering expenses. The cost of fuel and telephone expenses were identified as the two major areas of expense for volunteers." Read more

Is too much volunteering unhealthy?
ScienceAlert

Dr Tim Windsor from the ANU Centre for Mental Health Research (CMHR) recently released the results of a study into the mental health of volunteers.

"The study found that those who volunteer at a moderate level – between around two and 15 hours per week – show high levels of well being compared with non-volunteers. It appears to have a really positive effect," Dr Windsor said. "However, with those who volunteer for more than 15 hours a week the pattern of results is quite distinct. Those people showed lower levels of mental health and well being." Read more

What are your thoughts on the results? Email Kristin Romanis and we will publish your comments on our website and in the next issue of The Voice.

Don't underestimate the baby boomer volunteers
Melanie Oppenheimer, onlineopinion.com.au

The long summer of the baby boomer will inevitably include volunteering, and perhaps once and for all the stereotype of Lady Bountiful – that elderly woman dispensing her largesse and good deeds – will be permanently laid to rest. With 25 per cent of the Australian population over the age of 65 by 2040, the way baby boomers "do" volunteering will be quite different. Better health outcomes, the "social dimensions of ageing", and with baby boomers refusing to retire gracefully, volunteering will become a key issue. Governments and the non-profit sector need to be prepared. Read more

Anti Poverty Week: 12–18 October 2008

As we all know the national and international economies are going backwoods at a rate of knots. The impact on communities is largely unknown but what is known is that for those living at or below the poverty line things will become even more desperate. When the NSW Anti-Poverty Committee collated the program of events for the current year it had no idea what was ahead in terms of the large scale economic downturns which have been occurring across the world.

These events are designed so that we all may remain aware of the issues and potential strategies which we can all participate in to raise awareness of the issues of poverty on our community and communities elsewhere. Organisers and guest speakers on each occasion are people who have offered their time and expertise to ensure that we don’t lose sight of the fact that poverty is often hidden and therefore unacknowledged in most Australian communities. Please show your support by going along or encouraging your staff, friends and fellow workers to support any events organised in your community. Find out more information about events throughout NSW

New Book: Volunteering: Why we can't survive without it
Melanie Oppenheimer

If volunteers on any single day in Australia decided not to turn up – to coach local sporting teams, stuff envelopes, make cups of tea, plant trees, take minutes – we would all feel the effects very soon. In this new book, fourth generation volunteer and well-known commentator Melanie Oppenheimer takes the first comprehensive look at why Australians give so much of their time for free. Find out more

Hospital helpers facing axe after government push
The Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph recently reported: "Volunteers who have raised money for Sydney hospitals for decades could be kicked out under a push by the State Government to sell space to private retailers. The Government is selling off floorspace in western Sydney hospitals and has told existing operators that they may be replaced."

"Documents obtained by The Daily Telegraph show that five hospitals will be affected. They are: Auburn (about 40 sq m for sale); Mt Druitt (about 40 sq m); Blacktown (40-50 sq m); Nepean (40sq m and 80sq m of food retail); Blue Mountains Anzac Memorial Hospital (about 15 sq m)." Find out more

Sports fan poll: NSW keen to volunteer at sporting events
The Age

In a recent nationwide poll of sports fans, NSW has emerged as the State keenest to help stage sporting events. "NSW did well across all indicators ... but they got more excited about volunteering than anything else and you'd probably expect that from the legacy of the Olympics, and also World Youth Day." Read more

NFP Networking Event: How liable is your organisation
Tuesday, 21 October 2008, 3–5pm
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. There is a cost of $5 to attend and afternoon tea will be provided. Email Odessa O'Brien or phone 02 9261 3600 to RSVP.

SVM Inaugural Graduation Ceremony
In early September the School held its inaugural graduation ceremony to acknowledge the achievements of its students who successfully completed the requirements of the diploma and certificate courses in which they had enrolled. Professor Tracy Taylor of the University of Technology Sydney was the Guest of Honour. Read more

Short Courses – October and November
The School recently introduced Short Courses, which include the very popular SpeakersBank public speaking courses, have proved to be very popular and further courses are being offered in October and November. It’s easy to enrol in these courses via the Schools web site, so check the web site regularly for new additions. Read more

International Volunteer Managers Day

Universally, people recognise the contribution of volunteers – in sport, health, emergency services, faith communities and the environmental lobby ... in fact volunteers are involved in just about every aspect of service delivery in all walks of life.

However, volunteering does not succeed in a vacuum. Behind this army of volunteers lies an equally dedicated group of individuals and agencies who are responsible for the coordination, support, training, administration and recruitment of the world's volunteers – skilled professionals who are adept at taking singular passion and turning it into effective action. That is why we celebrate International Volunteer Managers Day every year on November 1.

It is important to let those professionals know that the spirit of volunteerism is enhanced and enabled by them, and to thank them. We urge you to mark your calendar and, whether you are an administrator, a volunteer, a community leader or someone who receives the benefit of volunteer help, to make sure the people who act as leaders and catalysts get the recognition they deserve! For more information, visit www.volunteermanagersday.org

National Volunteer Week 2009: Theme announced
Volunteering Australia

After much consultation, discussion and debate the theme for National Volunteer Week 2009 (11–17 May) has been chosen:

Volunteers: Everyday people, extraordinary contribution

This theme carries the message that everyone has something of value to offer and that every volunteer's contribution, no matter how big or small, is extraordinary because that person cares enough to be a volunteer.

The theme acknowledges the enormous contribution of volunteers and the value of volunteering. It encourages new volunteers by reinforcing that everybody can become a volunteer.

This theme will be used in our National Volunteer Week celebration of the great contribution that volunteers make in society. Read more

2008 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award update

Thank you to every one who nominated a volunteer for the 2008 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award. This year the Award received a massive 445 nominations from across the State.

Judging of the Award has taken place and Regional Award ceremonies are taking place across NSW from now until mid-November, with winners to be announced on the Award website following each ceremony. State winners will be announced at a ceremony at Parliament House on December 5, International Volunteer Day.

The Centre would like to congratulate all of the volunteers who were nominated for the Award.

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

On Friday, 29 August Maia Giordano, Youth Volunteer Program Manager at The Centre for Volunteering, organised a SCIP seminar for students at St Andrews Cathedral School. The Centre is very pleased to have reconnected with the school through SCIP. The SCIP seminar is part of the Year 10 Community Service program. Students enjoyed presentations from a variety of different organisations including Inspire Foundation, St Vincent de Paul, Sydney Heritage Fleet, Red Cross, Vision Australia and Youth Challenge Australia. Thanks to all these organisations for making this seminar so successful and thanks also to the Year 10 students who assisted on the day.

On Tuesday, 16 September, Maia organised and ran the SCIP seminar at Marist College Kogarah for Year 9 boys as part of their Community Service program. The day was cited as one of the best SCIP seminars that have been run at the school. This was due to the calibre of speakers from the following organisations: Red Cross, The Benevolent Society, The Wilderness Society, Vision Australia and Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES). Sincere thanks to each of the speakers for inspiring and engaging students to volunteer in their local community. After the seminar student spent the afternoon volunteering with organisations in the local area.

Maia attended the Energy Australia Red Cross Youth Challenge Awards Day. Students from different schools gave presentations on their Youth Challenge projects. Through their projects they showed the amazing impact young people can have in their local communities through small-scale youth-lead projects. Congratulations to all the award winners!

Maia continues to receive regular enquiries from young people all over Sydney who are interested in volunteering in their local area.

If you would like more information, please call 9261 3600 or 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
Unsubscribe | Update Your Details | Privacy