CEO's WelcomeWelcome to the June edition of eNews. COVID-19 has impacted all our lives both professionally and personally. As Volunteering WA staff start to transition back to the office and programs resume, we have entered a time of reflection and preparation for the next chapter. Throughout this unprecedented time we have been able to adapt to online and virtual ways of communicating and delivering services. This new way of working will have lasting benefits, including greater accessibility for our members. As we draw to the end of the financial year, planning has started for our annual report to highlight our work and value of volunteering. According to research, few organisations include their volunteering programs within their annual reports and as a result, volunteer management is often overlooked and under resourced in organisational budgets. I encourage all Volunteering Involving Organisations to acknowledge their volunteers within their annual reports by including their value and contributions across service and program areas. The Volunteer Benefits Calculator can provide best practice evidence around the value of your volunteer program. I’m delighted to announce that Volunteering WA will be administering the Volunteer Engagement Grants on behalf of the Department of Social Services. This funding will support the reactivation of volunteering programs, increasing participation and strengthening our communities. More details on how to apply for these grants will be posted on our website shortly. As volunteering programs begin to resume, Volunteering WA is continuing to extend assistance, resources and services to support our members. Members not only have access to a broad range of valuable services and benefits but they are part of a network that recognises the essential contribution of volunteers and volunteering in our communities. We need your voice louder than ever! Join the hundreds of organisations that believe in the power of volunteering and become a member today. Happy Volunteering, Tina Williams | CEO Volunteering WA Our NewsCOVID-19 Emergency Volunteering During the pandemic, our Emergency Volunteering website received a huge response from volunteers wanting to lend a hand. We were delighted to be able to place volunteers where they were most needed. We have received some wonderful feedback from organisations and volunteers: “I found volunteer work through your Emergency Support Volunteering website, as a casual helper at an emergency food bank… I have really enjoyed this volunteer opportunity and am grateful to your organisation for making it possible.” – Helen “I just wanted to quickly touch base to let you know that we had over 25 responses in the first 24 hours. It certainly does warm the heart to have people want to assist as we are feeling very stretched - this gives real hope.” Louise, Toy Libraries Australia As the threat of COVID-19 eases in our community, Volunteering WA is assisting organisations as they reactivate volunteer programs and look for volunteers to fill long-term positions. National Volunteer Week 2021 We are pleased to announce the dates for National Volunteer Week 2021: Monday 17 May – Sunday 23 May. The gala dinner is to be confirmed, but it likely to take place on Thursday 20 May at the Crown. We would really appreciate your feedback on National Volunteer Week 2020. Please complete the National Volunteer Week Feedback Survey by Monday 6 July to assist Volunteering Australia in planning for #NVW2021. Corporate VolunteeringCorporate Volunteering Teams are back! With Government restrictions easing, VWA’s Corporate Volunteering Program enjoyed a great first week back with three BHP teams volunteering in their local community. The BHP NPI Water and Maintenance Team were excited to be the first corporate volunteering team day since restrictions eased. The team spent the day volunteering in the Foodbank warehouse packing emergency relief packs. In an amazing effort, the team filled 11 pallets with emergency relief packs which totalled a whopping 440 packs in total! Step into Corporate Volunteering Sessions Do you have an activity or project that would benefit from a team of volunteers or a skilled volunteer? VWA’s corporate team are calling for expressions of interest from our members that would like to take part in an online Step into Corporate Volunteering webinar session. These sessions are designed for our members and will provide you with everything you need to know about how you can host a team of volunteers or a skilled volunteer. To register your interest, please email corporate@volunteeringwa.org.au Regional News Volunteering WA Regional Volunteer Hubs have taken the opportunity this month to revise and refresh their training offerings to volunteers and Volunteer Involving Organisations, with the view of some face-to-face training resuming in the near future. Online training sessions will continue to be available including Volunteer Engagement and Planning workshops in the coming weeks. As the Hubs reopen, we would like to warmly welcome new volunteer referral officer Danni Carr who will be working on Wednesdays at the Wheatbelt Hub. If your organisation would like to advertise volunteer positions as the restrictions ease, please contact your local Volunteer Hub who can do a shout out on radio or online, to help with engaging new volunteers to join you. The contact details of all hubs and resource centres can be found here. VIRA/VIKTORThe hard work of coordinating volunteers is about to get easier! Built by volunteer coordinators, for volunteer coordinators, VIRA simplifies and streamlines every facet of volunteer management, from recruitment and administration, to mobilisation, reporting and enhancing the volunteer experience. Save time, reduce admin and free up yourself and your volunteers to do more good. Contact vira@volunteeringwa.org.au if you’d like more information on how you can get VIRA for your organisation. Watch the VIRA demo video to learn about its many features. Sector NewsThank a Volunteer Celebration grant applications openThe Department of Communities has funding of up to $1,000 for community organisations to host events or activities on Thank a Volunteer Day, Saturday 5 December 2020. Applications are open until Thursday 30 July 2020. Find out more here. Mental Health Week grant applications and nominationsThe Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH) have grants up to $1,000 available to help hold your own community event or activity during Mental Health Week (10-17 October). The grant aims to provide you with additional support to recognise and celebrate Mental Health Week in your local community. Applications close Friday 7 August 2020. Apply today. The WAAMH 2020 WA Mental Health Awards aim to recognise and reward the achievements of those who demonstrate excellence, innovation, and initiative in supporting consumers of mental health services, their families, and carers; and showcase best practice in WA’s mental health sector to inspire others. Submit a nomination. 2021 Australian of the Year Award nominations openNominations are now open for the 2021 Australian of the Year Awards. Give our nation’s best the recognition they deserve and nominate before Friday July 31 2020. Categories include Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia’s Local Hero. Submit a nomination. Submision to the Senate Committee on COVID-19Volunteering WA contributed to the development of a national submission into the Senate Committee on COVID-19. To find out more about how COVID-19 impacted volunteering, how the sector responded and our recommendations for how the Australian Government can support the sector in the future. Managing the return of volunteers to the workplace resourceJustice Connect has released a fact sheet for community organisations to help them manage the return of volunteers to the workplace, including volunteers who fall into high-risk categories of serious COVID-19 infection. Council of the Ageing Western Australia 'At Home Guide'Working from home, self-isolating or staying in? We know many of us are spending a lot more time at home lately. To help out during this time, COTA WA developed the ‘At Home Guide’ to assist our older Australians to live well at home. Transperth Transport Training & Peer Mentor ProjectAPM is partnering with Transperth to build a network of trained volunteers who are available to support people with disability to access the public transport system across the metro area. They are currently looking to partner with an organisation who would be interested in managing the pool of volunteers long term, including overseeing on boarding processes and linking volunteers with public transport users with disability. For further information email Shauna.VanSteensel@apm.net.au. Sector Research SurveysMARKYT Community Resilience Scorecard Join up with communities across WA to map well-being and resilience levels and express your opinions about what local government should prioritise in COVID-19 recovery plans. Complete a Community Resilience Scorecard before 3 July 2020. Volunteer management during COVID-19 in the aged care sector What is your experience as a Volunteer Manager during COVID-19 This Murdoch University survey is intended for managers in Volunteer Involving Organisations in the aged care sector in Australia only. Complete this survey before 20 July 2020. A study of mental well-being during self-isolation The CARE Study will investigate which factors contribute to people's mental wellbeing during, and after, periods of self-isolation. Help fast-track the development of ideas and interventions to protect the mental health of vulnerable members of our community by participating in this survey. Training & Events We’ve had an incredible response to our 'Returning Volunteering Programs during COVID-19' webinars and have added extra sessions for those who missed out. Please visit our website here to see our upcoming events and training sessions. Returning to Volunteering Program during COVID-19 MembershipVolunteering WA provides leadership and support to Volunteer Involving Organisations throughout the State. Becoming a member gives you a say in the future of volunteering and access to a broad range of valuable benefits for you and your organisation. Member privileges:
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