CEO's Welcome
Welcome to the August edition of eNews.
This month we acknowledged the incredible impact student volunteers make in our communities by celebrating National Student Volunteer Week 2020. I was proud to see all the Western Australian universities getting behind the week and participating in the only inter-university volunteering activity in Australia. Thank you to all our wonderful student volunteers!
I am delighted to share a funding opportunity with you to support your volunteer programs. Volunteering WA is pleased to be administering the 2020 Supplementary Volunteer Grants. Find out how you can apply below.
Early responses from our most recent member survey indicated up to 83% of volunteer programs were impacted by COVID-19, with the majority of organisations pausing and others reducing their volunteer programs. As we become more concerned about a second wave, there has been a slowdown in reactivating programs, with a greater emphasis on planning for the possibility of reinstating restrictions.
To help prepare your organisation for recovery please see our user-friendly guide ‘Responding to a Pandemic in WA’, which includes helpful checklists, advice and links to important information around safeguarding your volunteers and running a safe program.
The Volunteer Community Reference Group met this month to address the impact of COVID-19 on the sector. The committee has highlighted issues/concerns with reactivating the sector and is working with State Government to support the volunteering in the recovery phase.
Lastly, I would like to extend a warm invitation to our virtual Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 21 October at 3pm, with more details will be provided in our September edition of eNews. We hope you can join us.
Happy Volunteering,
Tina Williams | CEO Volunteering WA
Our News
Supplementary Volunteer Grants 2020
Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs) can now apply for grants from $1,000 to $5,000 to help transition their volunteer programs back into operation following the disruption caused by COVID-19.
Volunteering WA, on behalf of the Australian Government, is offering Supplementary Volunteer Grants to VIOs across WA to help them support volunteers, with a particular focus on assisting organisations transition their volunteer programs back into operation following the disruption caused by COVID-19. We encourage all VIOs across WA to apply before 20 September 11:59pm AEST.
National Student Volunteer Week 2020
Education providers, volunteer organisations and students across Australia celebrated student volunteering this month under the #NSVW20 theme, “Collective Impact: Give.Grow.Connect.”
To mark #NSVW20 in WA, UWA together with Curtin, Notre Dame, ECU and Murdoch universities joined forces to undertake a clean-up at Leighton Beach in Fremantle under the expert guidance of Perth NRM. It was successful day with 550 plants planted, 50sq metres of dune brushing, 10kg of weed removal and 4 enormous beach billboards built
This inter-university volunteering activity is the only one of its kind in Australia.
International Volunteer Managers' Day
Volunteering WA is proud to celebrate volunteer leadership and highlight the vital role volunteer managers play. Join us as we focus on re-engaging volunteers as part of the Volunteering WA’s What’s Next - International Volunteer Managers Day Forum on 5 November 2020. To confirm your place, register here.
This year's theme will simply be 'What's Next?' The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges on many levels and in the lead up to #IVMDay20 we hope volunteer leaders can reflect on the lessons, challenges and most importantly opportunities that confront volunteer management. #IVMDay20 will offer a focal point for volunteering leaders, the world over, to collaborate and consolidate the way forward.
Corporate Volunteering
In a Volunteering WA skills-based volunteering project like no other for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Charlie’s Wish was granted by a team of volunteers from Woodside, Rio Tinto, DSM Consulting and students from UWA.
At the age of 8, Charlie was diagnosed with the degenerative condition, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Led by Woodside Data Scientist, Mary Hewitt, the team worked tirelessly over two years from the Woodside Karda Robotics Lab to create a robot designed by Charlie himself to protect his room from his little sister. Read more about Charlie's journey here.
Coming soon - OSH Workshop for VIOs
Are you thinking about hosting corporate volunteers? Woodside’s Health, Safety and Environment team is working with Volunteering WA to develop an OHS workshop aimed at community organisations. Attending this workshop will help to ensure that your organisation is equipped with the information and checks to make your group volunteering activities as safe as possible. Keep an eye out for upcoming dates.
Regional News
The Wheatbelt Hub hosted a brand new Youth Step into Volunteering Session in Northam earlier in the month. The session was a great success and attended by a group of enthusiastic young people, with many already volunteering in their local community!
Volunteering WA’s regional Hub coordinators are available to assist volunteers to find great local community roles as Volunteer Involving Organisations resume their services and activities. If you would like to get in contact with your local Volunteer Hub or Resource Centre please visit our website here.
Position Vacancy at Volunteering WA
We're seeking a passionate, energetic Marketing and Communications Manager to drive our mission to lead, advance and celebrate volunteering in WA under a full-time one-year maternity leave contract.
This exciting role will work across the entire organisation taking in our programs, events and general marketing activities. Applications close Friday 4 September 2020.
Express your interest in Volunteer Manager Training
Last month Volunteering WA announced two brand new training opportunities for volunteer managers across WA. We have had a great response and are currently taking expressions of interest via our website.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Program
The CPD program will help you maintain and develop the volunteer management skills and knowledge required in your current role, sector and beyond. The CPD will be achieved through a range of methods and will commence in October 2020, gradually replacing the current Management Endorsement Levels.
Certificate IV in Coordination of Volunteer Programs
This online 12-month course has been developed for not-for-profit and community service professionals and is responsive to the latest trends and requirements for volunteer coordinators in Australia. The Cert. IV course will enhance your thinking on how to operate more effectively in a challenging environment.
Become a Volunteering WA member
As volunteering programs begin to resume, Volunteering WA is continuing to extend assistance, resources and services to help volunteer organisations, but there are still challenges ahead.
We need your support more than ever! We invite you to join us. 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. Join the 725+ organisations that believe in the power of volunteering and become a member today.
Sector News
Addressing the pandemic insurance gap for volunteers
Volunteering Australia has joined with Justice Connect to call on all Australian governments to ‘have the back’ of Australia’s volunteer workforce in the COVID-19 crisis by overcoming the pandemic insurance gap for volunteers. Volunteering Australia has published a Joint Policy Statement outlining their recommendations.
Submission to the Aged Care Royal Commission
Volunteering WA contributed to the development of a national submission to the Aged Care Royal Commission. It highlighted the critical role that volunteers play in this workforce and the need to invest to ensure good outcomes for volunteers, aged care providers and most of all, for those in care. Find out more about recommendations for how the Australian Government can support the sector by downloading our submission.
Youth Digital Inclusion Project applications open
The Youth Digital Inclusion (YDI) project has been developed to respond to the digital divide experienced by vulnerable young people across our State. The Department of Communities has given YACWA a grant to distribute approximately 300 refurbished ICT devices to young people aged 16 to 24 in need.
Community organisations can nominate young people they currently assist via YACWA’s website. Applications close Friday 4 September 2020.
Youth Engagement Grants
Grants of up to $10,000 are available for local governments and community service organisations to implement projects that engage young people (10–18 years old) in creative ways and help achieve positive outcomes. Applications are due to open at the end of August and will close Saturday 31 October 2020.
Training & Events
We have some fantastic training coming up in the next few weeks. Please visit our website here for a full schedule of upcoming sessions however we bring to your attention a few that are very popular and filling up fast.
Writing Winning Grant Applications
Thursday 3 September | 9.30am to 11am | Online
Designed for people who have minimal grant writing experience, this one and a half hour information webinar will provide you with the skills needed to write a successful grant application. $20 for members and $30 for non-members. Register here.
Introduction to VIKTOR
Tuesday 15 September | 9am to 10am | Online
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. Register here.
Making the most of your Volunteering WA membership
Thursday 17 September | 9am to 10am | Online
This session will show you how to make the most of your Volunteering WA membership including the services and support available. Free for Volunteering WA member organisations and those considering joining. Register here.
New Members
A warm welcome to our new and returning members:
Regional:
The Shire of East Pilbara
We look forward to working with you.
Saturday Shout Out
Do you need help finding volunteers to fill a position in your organisation? Our Saturday feature, only for members, advertises your position on our Facebook page, with over 6,500 followers. Email nazreen@volunteeringwa.org.au to promote your volunteer vacancies.
Please ensure your volunteering role is on VIKTOR so that we can link the Facebook post straight through to the Volunteering WA website.
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