Our highlight this month has been taking part in the development of Tasmania’s first Volunteering Strategy and Action Plan.  We’re grateful to have been working with the Tasmanian Government, through the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC), to develop this critical project that will drive the strategic actions needed to sustain and strengthen volunteering in Tasmania.  

At forums held around the state and online, we heard from volunteer managers and volunteers about their solutions to the challenges faced by the volunteering industry. The team at Volunteering Tasmania thoroughly enjoyed being part of these conversations.  A survey is being finalised to confirm what we heard during the forums, which will be distributed through our network soon.  We encourage you to complete this survey and share it with others, to make sure we hear from as many people as possible. 

We have a lot of exciting activities and events coming up; some outlined below and some that you will hear more about shortly.  One of the most exciting is the 2025 Tasmanian Volunteering Awards!  This year will be the tenth anniversary of our annual awards program, which we’ll be launching during National Volunteer Week (19-25 May 2025). We encourage you all to start thinking about who you’ll nominate - this is your chance to highlight the extraordinary impact of Tasmanian volunteers! Every day, they're out there making a difference, and we can't wait to celebrate them.

Mel Blake
Chief Executive Officer, Volunteering Tasmania

Changes to Registration to Work with Vulnerable People 

7-day and emergency management worker exemptions will be removed from 01 April 2025 

After consultation in 2024, changes to the Registration to Work with Vulnerable People (RWVP) Scheme will come into effect from 01 April 2025. These changes have been designed to strengthen the protections in place for vulnerable people, including children. 

What might this mean for you? 

• If you or your volunteers have been using the 7-day exemption for a regulated activity, you will need to apply for registration. This will be required from 01 April 2025.

• Employers and organisations will no longer need to track the number of days a person is volunteering in a regulated activity while unregistered.  

Further changes to the RWVP Scheme are planned over the next two years, including the introduction of new regulated activities and new categories of vulnerable people, a new online registration system, and changes to aged care worker registration. To stay up to date with the upcoming changes, you can subscribe to the Department of Justice newsletter here. 

If you'd like to discuss how the RWVP Scheme impacts volunteers in your organisation, or your own volunteering, please reach out to us at policy@volunteeringtas.org.au. 

Supporting Tasmanians to live well

Community consultation open for the 20-Year Preventative Health Strategy

The Department of Health is developing a 20-Year Preventive Health Strategy for Tasmania and wants your feedback by 25 May 2025.

The strategy is about more than healthcare – it’s about creating environments that support people to live well from the start. It recognises that, depending on who you are, where you live, and what life course stage you are at, a healthy, active life might also include participating in work and volunteering activities. 

Top Legal Issues in Managing Volunteers 

Tuesday 08 April 2025, 10am-1pm (online) 
Only a few spaces left!

Registrations are still open for this special offering delivered by Justice Connect’s Not-for-profit Law program and tailored for volunteer-involving organisations. Places are limited, and ticket fees apply (reduced fee for Volunteering Tasmania Members). 

This is an interactive and practical session which will include discussion on: 

• Defining the volunteer relationship 
• Equal opportunity in volunteer recruitment 
• The ‘duty of care’ your organisation owes its volunteers 
• Work, health, and safety duties 
• Child safety requirements 
• Legal responsibility for the actions of volunteers 
• Risk management processes 
• Reviewing or ending the volunteer relationship 

A Deep Dive into Standard 2 of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement

Thursday 10 April 2025, 1pm-2pm (online)

This free webinar, presented as part of the Volunteering Management Activity (VMA) Program and in partnership with the Centre for Volunteering NSW, will focus on 
Standard 2: Volunteer participation is championed and modelled. 

Volunteer Involvement Cycle Training

Tuesday 10 June 2025, 10-11:30am (online)

Join us as we introduce the Volunteer Involvement Cycle, a new tool that steps volunteer managers through the various stages of volunteer involvement – from preparing the organisation for volunteers, to recruiting and supporting volunteers, and finally, evaluating your volunteer program.  Each stage also includes sub-stages that guide you through the cycle. 

This workshop, facilitated by Volunteering Tasmania, will explore:  

• How to build a strong understanding of the stages of volunteer involvement.
• Tools, resources and strategies to demonstrate best practice in line with each stage of the Volunteer Involvement Cycle.
• How the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement apply to each stage of the cycle. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the Volunteer Involvement Cycle and how it can enhance your volunteer program. 

One CPD point is awarded for attending this session if you are a current participant in the CPD program. 

Future of Volunteering – National Volunteer Week Forums 

Save the date for our upcoming Future of Volunteering Forums to be held during National Volunteer week 19-25 May 2025

Volunteering Tasmania's Future of Volunteering project aims to support and strengthen volunteering across Tasmanian communities in fresh and innovative ways. Our key objectives are to help break down barriers to formal volunteering and support organisations to develop meaningful networks and strategic partnerships.

The forums planned for May will focus on ‘Caring for our People and Community’, with a specific focus on volunteer support structures and wellbeing, as well as the volunteer experience and the impact this has on wellbeing. 

We are currently finalising locations and speakers for these forums, so keep an eye on our socials and the events tab on our website for more information, coming very soon!

Empower and lead:  Continuous Learning for Volunteer Managers  

Are you a volunteer manager or coordinator? It’s time to take your next professional step! 

Volunteering Tasmania’s CPD Program for Professional Leaders of Volunteers is designed to enhance your knowledge and to uphold the highest standards of professional practice in volunteer management. By participating, you will gain access to resources, events, and a learning and sharing environment with a supportive community of like-minded practitioners. This is a 12-month program, commencing at registration date. 

The CPD program formally recognises the work you are doing to raise the standards of volunteer leadership in your organisation and across our state. On successful completion of the program, you will gain Professional Leaders of Volunteers (PLV) status for 12 months. 

This program is exclusive to members of Volunteering Tasmania. Each organisational member of VT receives two placements in the program per financial year. Additional organisational or individual memberships placements can be secured for a $50 (ex GST) fee per person. 

Register now to embark on this journey. 

Exclusive for VT Members – Volunteer Recognition Certificates

Orders close soon!

We are excited to continue to offer our Volunteer Recognition Certificates member benefit for 2025. These certificates are to support your celebration of National Volunteer Week (19-25 May 2025). 

National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteers and this year’s theme is Connecting Communities! 

We are delighted to support our members with personalised digital certificates of appreciation for each of your volunteers – whether you have 1 or 10,000. 

These certificates can be personalised with your organisation’s logo, and shows yours, and Volunteering Tasmania’s appreciation for the contributions of your volunteers. 

Please note: Certificates will be provided in a digitised format. We encourage members to distribute them in the way that is meaningful and relevant to your volunteer workforce. Your local Member of Parliament's office may offer complimentary printing services. This presents an ideal opportunity to engage in a conversation about the challenges you face in volunteering and how funding through service grants could enhance volunteer infrastructure, systems, and support for tasks such as Registration to Work with Vulnerable People (RWVP) and police check forms. 

Orders close Thursday 03 April 2025. To complete your order, complete this form, and attach an excel spreadsheet with information sorted into three columns: First name, Surname and Organisation name. 

We'll also include a blank one for all Organisations, that you can use for any new volunteers that join your organisation after submission of your names.  

We anticipate that Certificates will be ready to email to your nominated email address on Friday 02 May, allowing time for arrangements to be made for distribution throughout your networks as appropriate. This will be sent to you as a link to a file share platform from the team@volunteeringtas.org.au account. It won't require you to download an app or sign up for any other platforms. 

Not a financial member of Volunteering Tasmania, and wish to order these? Sign up today! 

Any questions? Please contact us via team@volunteeringtas.org.au. 

Something for everyone – National Volunteer Week resources

Celebrate your volunteers 19-25 May 2025

Volunteering Australia have lots of resources available online to help you to celebrate your volunteers this May.  Why not use the free e-card Certificate of Appreciation template to send a thank you card directly to your volunteer’s email?

To access Volunteering Australia’s National Volunteer Week e-card and other recognition resources go to their website here.

Dress for Success Tasmania is empowering women to overcome barriers to employment and participation by offering free services including interview and employment styling, along with career support. Clients leave with a new outfit and a boost in confidence. All clothing is donated by the local community, contributing to addressing the textile crisis and reducing landfill waste.

Fashion Frenzy Hobart 

Last month, Dress for Success held a Fashion Frenzy Event in Hobart.  Fans of pre-loved fashion headed to the sale to pick up a bargain, with every dollar raised supporting women into employment. This event couldn’t have happened without the fantastic volunteers who set up, helped customers, and encouraged the warm and friendly atmosphere! 
 
“Recently friends saw me on the nightly news, helping set up the Fashion Frenzy sale. They commented on how happy I looked. What a wonderful reflection on DFS as an organisation to volunteer for. I think it couldn’t be better!” - Dress for Success Volunteer 
 
“Seeing past clients at our pre-loved fashion sales and hearing they felt seen and loved themselves again after a styling session.  That is what it’s all about!” - Dress for Success Volunteer 

Fashion Frenzy will be headed to Launceston on 10 May 2025!

Promote the positive impact of your volunteering activities through VT’s Member Spotlight.

Members of Volunteering Tasmania are a crucial part of our vision to create an inclusive, thriving and celebrated culture of community participation. We love supporting you to promote the positive impact of volunteering by sharing your stories.

Reach out to us using this form and a member of our team will be in touch about the best ways to showcase your community-based volunteering. 

Volunteering stories from the VT team

Want to get your event or campaign noticed?

VT is always excited to spread the word about great events, workshops, and training happening across Tasmania through our Community Noticeboard. VT Members can click here to submit an expression of interest about feature upcoming opportunities in an upcoming edition.

A Fairer World - Diversity and Inclusion Expos

Wednesday 02 April, 12:00-1:30pm
Launceston Library, 71 Civic Square, Launceston

Wednesday 30 April, 10:30-12:00pm
Town Hall, 50 Macquarie Street, Hobart

A Fairer World are running free events in Launceston and Hobart to share how Diversity and Inclusion training can transform workplace culture. These workplace-focused Expos feature powerful storytelling, lived experience speakers, and expert partners.
Come curious. Learn skills. Leave inspired.

A Fairer World have arranged these events thanks to successfully securing a 2024-25 Strong and Resilient Communities Activity Grant, funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.

Volunteer Connect

Did you know we can help people find volunteering opportunities?

Volunteering Tasmania's Volunteer Connect Service helps people who are struggling to find suitable volunteer roles, by identifying areas of interest and connecting them to suitable organisations.  

This service is facilitated by a volunteer on Thursday mornings, and appointments can be made either in person in Hobart, or by phone or online.  Please contact us to arrange an appointment by emailing team@volunteeringtas.org.au or phoning (03) 62315550. 

Help us spread the word about this wonderful service, by sharing this flyer with your networks!

Visit www.volunteeringtas.org.au to explore current volunteer opportunities or to list a new opportunity with your organisation on our database.

Together We’ll Go Far

Free Support for Volunteer Managers 

Did you know that Volunteering Tasmania offers free resources, training, and advice to support volunteer managers and volunteer-involving organisations? The “Together We’ll Go Far” campaign aims to raise awareness of what’s available. 

We’d love your help to spread the word. You’ll find a set of posters here that you can distribute to your networks or display wherever you think they might catch a volunteer manager’s eye!

The campaign is also running digitally on LinkedIn, so feel free to share our posts too! You can also stay connected with us by following us on Instagram and our new Facebook page.  

• MyState Foundation Grants
  The MyState Foundation grants program supports not-for-profit organisations that work towards empowering the youth of Tasmania. Each year, they grant between $1,000 and $10,000 to eligible organisations; and to date, we have awarded over $2.9 million in grants to more than 140 not-for-profit organisations, for 380 initiatives.
  
  These are a rich, diverse group of organisations and charities that are engaged in education or development projects for young people. They may provide opportunity for further education; increase financial literacy or assist young people living with a disability to access special education, care and support. Applications close 02 May 2025. 
   

• Community Road Safety Grants Program 2025
  The Community Road Safety Grants (CRSG) program aims to provide community groups in Tasmania with the opportunity to develop and deliver small scale, local programs within their communities consistent with the Towards Zero Strategy.
  
  Funding is available in two categories: Small Grants up to $5,000 and Medium/Large Grants up to $35,000. Applications must be received by 02 May 2025.
   

• Multicultural Community Festivals Small Grants Program 2024-25
  This Grants Program is being delivered in partnership with Local Government Authorities (Councils), to enable multicultural organisations to increase resources for the festival or event. In-kind support from local councils can be included as a contribution within an organisation’s application for the Grants Program.

  Eligible applicants can apply for funding of between $500 to $5,000 to hold festivals or events in Tasmania that celebrate significant cultural traditions with a focus on new and emerging culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Open now, applications close 2pm, Tuesday 15 April 2025.
   

• Tasmanian Men's Sheds Capital Investment Grants Program 2025
  Through the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, the Tasmanian Government committed $1 million for the Grants Program to increase the capacity and sustainability of Men’s Sheds, for the benefit of Shed members and the broader communities in which they operated.
  
  The maximum amount of funding that an eligible applicant can apply for is $50,000. Open now, applications close 2pm, Thursday 17 April 2025. 
  
  Funding is available for: 
  The construction of new Sheds where the remaining required funds have been secured.
  Capital works to current shed premises including infrastructure upgrades, renovations, construction, or building improvements. 
  The outright (freehold) purchase of Men’s Sheds where the remaining required funds have been secured.