A long recovery journey ahead for hard hit volunteering sector
Data from Volunteering Australia's Re-engaging Volunteering and COVID-19 Report shows volunteering is not snapping back, even as COVID restrictions lift, with nearly three-quarters of survey respondents saying their volunteer programs were not fully operational. During the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020, two out of three volunteers stopped volunteering, equating to an estimated loss of 12.2 million hours per week. The next steps are for government to engage with our sector and commit to investing in volunteering as a priority. You can read Volunteering Australia's report here, and see VWA's election priorities here.

What do you think volunteering will look like in 30 years?
This was one of the questions our team, board and senior leadership workshopped during two important planning sessions earlier this month. Facilitated by Suzanne Waldron and Andy Lamb, our sessions consisted of deep-dive discussions around the challenges and opportunities ahead for both Volunteering WA and the sector, and concluded with some exciting initiatives and priorities to shape the future. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful team and a highly talented board with a diverse range of expertise and skills (meet them here). These strategy sessions are more important than ever as we focus on reinvigorating volunteering after the challenges of 2020.

We have already seen positive engagement from VIOs looking to reinvigorate their programs, including those who have signed up for next week's Designing a Successful Virtual Volunteering Program workshop (details below). 

I’m really looking forward to working with you all, and to an enjoyable, enlightening and rewarding year.

Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin | Instagram

Happy Volunteering,

Tina Williams | CEO Volunteering WA

Our News

Advocacy and Policy

State Election Priorities
Volunteering WA has a strong and valued relationship with the Western Australian government, and this is central to the ongoing growth and development of the sector. Volunteering WA calls on State Government to invest in volunteering and commit to five (5) key actions. We have seen a positive response from parties so far, and will continue to keep you updated as the election draws closer.  Read our Election Platform here. 

Reportable Conduct Scheme
Western Australia is looking at introducing a new Reportable Conduct Scheme which will impact some VIOs engaged with providing services to children. Volunteering WA has been engaging with the State Government and recently made a formal submission in response to the Green Bill, focusing on the need to support the volunteer sector, and volunteers, during implementation. You can see our submission here.

Last chance to nominate! WA Volunteer of the Year Awards

Do you know a volunteer, volunteer manager or organisation who goes above and beyond?

Nominations for the WA Volunteer of the Year Awards are open until 5:00pm Friday 5 March 2021. Visit the Awards website for more information and to submit the short entry form. Finalists will be announced at the end of March with winners recognised at the WA Volunteer of the Year Awards gala dinner to be held on Thursday 20 May 2021 at Crown Perth.

BOOKINGS: Please remember during these socially-distanced times, there is limited capacity at events. Tickets are limited and will be on sale until May 3 or until sold out.  Please book your tickets online here. *Member discounts apply.

National Volunteer Week 2021

How you can get involved

• Share your event and activity plans: If you will be holding a National Volunteer Week activity, please let our team know so we can help promote it as part of the week's celebration and list it on the Volunteering WA website. 
• Apply for a grant of up to $1,000, thanks to Lotterywest, to hold volunteer recognition and celebration events. Start your application here. 
• Download the National Volunteer Week logo to include on poster and flyers here. 
• Nominate a deserving volunteer or organisation for the WA Volunteer of the Year Awards. Begin your nomination here.

Key dates to add to your calendar

• WA Volunteer of the Year Awards nominations close -  Friday 5 March.
• NVW Grants close - Sunday 7 March.
• Awards tickets on sale until Monday 3 May.
• National Volunteer Week: Monday 17 May - Sunday 23 May 2021
• WA Volunteer of the Year Awards - Thursday 20 May, Crown Perth.

Regional News

We welcomed the opportunity to see our regional hub co-ordinators face to face in Perth during the month of February. Kelly Nunn (Pilbara) and Tanya Richardson (Wheatbelt) had a flying visit to Perth for the VWA Strategy Day, looking at the future of volunteering! Cate Warne from Kimberley Hub/Broome Circle is visiting VWA after attending the WACOSS conference. 

The hubs are all starting to work in local communities to prepare some exciting events, training and recognition for volunteers for National Volunteer Week 17-23 May 2021.

Our Corporate Volunteering Coordinator Cecily Clay spent a week in the Pilbara hosting corporate volunteer team days and meeting with volunteer involving organisations in the region. 

Follow on Facebook: Pilbara Hub |  Wheatbelt Hub | Kimberley Hub

Volunteer Managers’ Network

Did you know Volunteering WA runs free network meetings and mentoring for volunteer managers?

The Volunteer Managers’ Network (VMN) is for people who coordinate or manage volunteers. The network meets every two months to discuss important issues, share ideas together and occasionally have guest speakers. Don’t forget to also join the VMN Facebook group to keep up to date with all the latest news. 

Fact Sheets and Guides: Restarting your volunteer programs in a virtual world

A reminder that Volunteering WA has developed a range of fact sheets, guides and resources to help your volunteer involving organisation (VIO) adapt to the new COVID landscape. 

Responding to a pandemic

• Returning volunteer programs and volunteers during COVID-19.
• Responding to a pandemic in WA - Guide for Volunteers.
• Responding to a pandemic in WA - Guide for VIOs.
• Return to Corporate Volunteering Fact Sheet.
• COVID-19 and Informal Volunteering Groups.

Virtual Volunteering

• Tips for optimising virtual volunteering.
• Workshop - Designing a Successful Virtual Volunteering Program (March 3 2021).

View Volunteering WA's resources for VIOs on our website. 

Leading the Way Webinar Recap

In 2020, Volunteering WA developed and delivered a new Leading the Way online series, which was funded by the Minderoo Foundation and made available free to volunteer involving organisations (VIOs). The four part series was specifically designed for volunteer managers who work in small VIOs and outlined a best-practice approach to launch or reinvigorate volunteer programs.

103 people attended the online sessions that covered topics including: policy and procedure development; recruiting, screen and selecting volunteers; reducing barriers to participation; recognising, rewarding and training volunteers; evaluating program performance; and exit procedures for volunteers. 

Thank you again to the Minderoo Foundation for subsidising this course in 2020. 

Based on the positive feedback from attendees, Volunteering WA has relaunched the Leading the Way program as a full day face-to-face workshop scheduled for Wednesday 10 March. Visit our website to register and for further details. Member discounts apply.

VIOHelp! Volunteer management and sector expertise is just an email away

Calling all volunteer involving organisations - if you have a question about volunteer management practice or policy, ask your volunteer experts through our new VIOHelp service. Email your questions to the Volunteering WA VIOHelp team at: viohelp@volunteeringwa.org.au.

If you believe in the power of volunteering...

If you believe in the power of volunteering, please add your organisation’s voice to ours and help strengthen our impact by joining as a Member of Volunteering WA. Membership starts from just $1 a week for smaller volunteer involving organisations.

Learn more about Volunteering WA membership here.

Overwhelmingly members agree that Volunteering WA, as the peak body for volunteering, contributes to the outcomes achieved in representing and advocating on behalf of our sector.*

“There are real collective benefits of working through and with a peak volunteering body that can represent the sector at government and industry levels”.

*Source: VWA Member Survey Nov 2020.

Emergency response volunteers: Thank you

Since the inception of the Emergency Volunteering website earlier this month, we have seen thousands of volunteers sign up to assist their fellow Western Australians during the bushfires. Volunteering WA has worked with a number of organisations to fill volunteer positions in response to the bushfire emergency in Wooroloo. 

As the Wooroloo bushfire is now under control, emergency services as well as local government authorities are now assisting those residents in the recovery phase.

The next emergency could be just around the corner…

Whilst the need for emergency support volunteers at this time has eased, we ask you to help us prepare for the future. If you are interested in short or long term volunteering, please create a volunteer profile at www.volunteer.org.au/, so we can respond even faster next time and make sure your local community is supported during times of need.

If you can no longer volunteer and would like to deactivate your Emergency Volunteer profile please email Volunteering WA at emergency@volunteer.org.au.

Sector News

REPORT: Re-engaging Volunteers and COVID-19

New Volunteering Australia data shows volunteering is not snapping back, even as COVID restrictions lift, with nearly three-quarters of survey respondents saying their volunteer programs were not fully operational. During the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020, two out of three volunteers stopped volunteering, equating to an estimated loss of 12.2 million hours per week.  Find the Report here. 

"The next steps are for Governments, at all levels, to engage with the volunteering sector, to find ways to make volunteering easier and more accessible for time-poor or vulnerable Australians. It is vital for all of us to work together and take a holistic approach to support Australia’s diverse and invaluable volunteers. I’m calling on policymakers to commit to partnering with the volunteering sector to reinvigorate volunteering."

How do you thank your volunteers?

National Volunteer Week Grants closing soon! Thank your volunteers for everything they do. 

Grants now open - Volunteering WA, with generous support from Lotterywest, is offering volunteer involving organisations across Western Australia the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to $1,000 to organise an event which recognises and thanks volunteers during National Volunteer Week (Monday 17 - Sunday 23 May 2021).

Facebook ban affects community organisation pages

Earlier this month, many organisations and community groups woke up to find their Facebook pages were caught up in the news ban and mistakenly disabled. Whilst most of our members have reported their pages are back up-and-running, if your page is still disabled please submit a support form to Facebook here. 

Going forward, you will not be able to share any web links on your organisation (or personal) Facebook page from Australian news publishers. This ban is also retrospective, so any news links you may have shared previously have been deleted. 

WA has a housing crisis

The Unlock Housing Campaign is calling on the WA Government to adopt the Unlock Housing Package to invest in social and affordable housing, fix the housing system and end homelessness. 

You can find further information and how you can call on government for support on the Unlock Housing website. Unlock Housing is a Shelter WA campaign.

Training & Events

What’s new in training?

2021 training registrations are now open with three new Volunteer Management courses being introduced already, and even more to follow. New programs include: 
•  Designing a Successful Virtual Volunteering Program  (workshop and handbook).
•  Certificate IV in Coordination of Volunteer Programs (CHC44015)
•  Leading the Way

Visit our Training webpage for all upcoming dates. 

Still time to register! 'Designing a Successful Virtual Volunteering Program' Workshop and Handbook
Wednesday 3 March | 9:30am - 12:30pm | Face to face | For volunteer leaders
Venue: Volunteering WA office, West Leederville
Have you considered Virtual Volunteering at your VIO but you don’t know where to start? 
More and more organisations around the world are engaging people who want to contribute their skills via the Internet. The service may be done virtually, but the volunteers are real. Whether you understand technology or you’re a newbie to the virtual world, this workshop will support you to lead online volunteering successfully by overcoming resistance and myths, identifying and addressing your program's online needs. Learn more. 

Cert IV in Coordination of Volunteer Programs (CHC44015) 
Commences Tuesday 2 March 2021 and continues monthly until March 2022 | Online and face to face
Volunteering WA, in partnership with The Centre for Volunteering, through the National School of Volunteer Management (SVM) [RTO code 90031], is pleased to offer the Certificate IV in Coordination of Volunteer Programs (CHC44015).

This online 12-month course has been developed with the not-for-profit or community service professional in mind and is responsive to the latest trends and requirements for volunteer coordinators in Australia.

For further information, please email Volunteering WA’s Training Manager at louise@volunteeringwa.org.au or visit our website. 

Introduction to VIKTOR for Volunteer Recruitment (for members) 
Thursday 4 March  | 9:00am - 10:00am | Online | For VWA members
If you are new to VIKTOR (the national online volunteer recruitment and referral platform) and responsible for volunteer recruitment, this session will help you get started.
This session is for Volunteering WA Members and Affiliates.  Register here.

Leading the Way
Wednesday 10 March  | 9:30am - 3:30pm | Face to face | For volunteer leaders
Venue: Volunteering WA office, West Leederville
Outlines a best practice approach to launch or re-invigorate volunteer programs and supports the ongoing effective management of volunteers. Learn more. 

Making the most of your Volunteering WA membership
Wednesday 17 March  | 9:00am - 10:00am | Online | For new VWA members
Has your organisation has recently joined Volunteering WA (VWA), have you recently taken on a new role involving volunteer management, or would you like to refresh your knowledge about the services and support available to VWA members? Free for representatives from VWA member organisations and those considering joining. Limited spaces available.  Register here.

Volunteering WA’s Volunteer Leadership Network (VLN) - calling for EOIs
Wednesday 17 March  | 10:00am - 12:00pm | Face to face | For new VWA members
This established network is looking for passionate Volunteer Managers with 5 years+ experience to work as a team to create a stronger volunteer sector and upskill the next generation of managers. The VLN offers a wide range of benefits including working together to leverage on each other’s knowledge, experience and ideas as well as providing opportunities to collaborate and build partnerships.

If this sounds like a network you would like to be a part of, please contact Louise Giles louise@volunteeringwa.org.au the first meeting for this year will be held on March 17.

National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
Wednesday 24 March  | 9:00am - 12:30pm | Face to face | For new VWA members
Are you wondering how your organisation's volunteer involvement is going? The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement provide a sound roadmap to assist you in improving the performance of your volunteer-involving organisation. Participants will be provided with an invaluable tool to facilitate a self-audit and an electronic copy of the Implementing the National Standards Guide and Workbook upon completion. Register here.

National Volunteer Week 2021
Monday 17 - Sunday 23 Mary 2021
Learn how you can get involved here.

Save the date - WA Volunteer of the Year Awards
Thursday 20 May  | 6:30pm - 12:00am 
Venue: Grand Ballroom, Crown Perth
Nominate | Book tickets

Saturday Shout Out and Meet a Volunteer Stories