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Note from the CEO
Over the past few weeks we have celebrated two very important dates, International Volunteer Managers Day (IVMD), 5 November, and International Volunteer Day (IVD) 5 December.
Volunteering WA and the Volunteer Leadership Network were thrilled to bring volunteer managers together for the annual IVMD Forum in Perth. The Forum was designed to respond to current issues and trends and provide useful insights and management strategies and it did certainly do that.
The day was very interactive with lots of networking and engagement activities. Attendees heard from four inspiring guest speakers who spoke about their roles in volunteer involving organisations (small and large) and how they mentor and lead volunteers.
Thank you to our guest speakers:
- Craig Hollywood, Short Back & Sidewalks
- Danny McEvoy, Achievers Club WA Inc
- Dean Huxley, WA Wildlife
- May Bowden, Vinnies WA
Thank you all volunteer coordinators, administrators, managers and mentors. It was inspiring with great learnings, tips and networking.
"Best one I’ve been to. Great range of speakers and interactive activities with a focus on finding solutions to common issues and sharing experiences through a simplified mentoring process." Vicki Pollard, Manager Peel Volunteer Resource Centre and member of Volunteer Leadership Network.
Last week, we were honoured to bring together more than 500 volunteers in the stunning gardens of Government House for the International Volunteer Day Garden Party. Hosted by His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson APM, Governor of Western Australia and Volunteering Patron, with a special address from the Minister for Volunteering, Stephen Dawson, we celebrated the enormous contributions of Western Australia's volunteers.
Thank you to our incredible volunteers, IVD is all about shining a light on volunteering globally and its capacity to enable our people, communities and planet to thrive.
As we near the end of year it’s good to reflect on 2022, our successes and challenges, our work with you our members, partners, supporters and key stakeholders but above all the tireless contributions our volunteers make.
I hope you have a wonderful festive break and I look forward to working with you in 2023.
Happy volunteering,
Tina
Connecting and celebrating Western Australia's incredible volunteers
The WA Volunteer of the Year Awards program celebrates the value and important contribution of volunteering to the social, cultural, economic, and environmental well-being of Western Australia and pays tribute to those volunteers who inspire and promote the spirit of volunteerism through their exemplary endeavours.
International Volunteer Day Garden Party
Photo Gallery now online (password is VWA)
It was a pleasure to host 70 organisations and 500 volunteers at this year's International Volunteer Day Garden Party in the beautiful surrounds of Government House. This has become a treasured tradition at Volunteering WA and one of the year’s highlights for us all to enjoy.
The annual volunteer garden party reflects the diversity in the volunteering experience in Western Australia, with volunteers representing fire and emergency services, university guilds, arts and theatre, wildlife and conservation, advisory groups and committee members, corporate volunteers, aged care and community services, advocacy and mental health, and migration and humanitarian support.
Let’s continue to celebrate volunteers each day and take every opportunity to acknowledge, thank and shine a light on the important work of volunteers. #TogetherActNow #IVD2022
Thank you for joining us for another wonderful Volunteer Garden Party!
Online courses - enrol and complete any time
Volunteer Engagement Planning
The new Volunteer Engagement Planning self-paced course is for people who lead volunteers. Each module has been designed for you to work through in your own time and a certificate of completion will be sent once you have successfully completed the four modules.
Writing Effective Volunteer Position Descriptions
Volunteer recruitment and retention are key challenges for volunteer managers, but can be helped by understanding the importance of writing strong, engaging and clear volunteer position descriptions at the beginning of the recruitment process.
>> Start your online Volunteering WA course through EdApp.
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
Welcome new and renewing members
Volunteer involving organisations can enjoy the benefits of membership, including significant training and events discounts. Find out more.
Case study | Muslim Women’s Support Center
Volunteer management: a journey of continuous improvement using the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
The Muslim Women’s Support Center (MWSC) is a small volunteer involving organisation in Perth, Western Australia. They have been supporting, empowering, informing, and connecting Muslim women in WA since 1987. They provide inclusive, holistic, and culturally sensitive services for Muslim women and their families thereby creating healthy, happy communities.
Read the case study (PDF) | Listen to the Audio Interview (Soundcloud) | Read the interview transcript (Word)
Volunteering WA's volunteer management capacity building program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services
Celebrating International Day of People with Disabilities (3 December)
"Hi, my name is Madeline Nicholas, and I am a part of the Volunteering WA Disability Advisory Group and I want to say happy International Day of People with Disabilities to every single person in my community. On the 3rd of December, we celebrate people with disabilities, acknowledging that they are a vital part of Australia’s community.
Everyday people with disabilities face barriers within society like a lack of employment opportunities, ableism, or even just being perceived as disadvantaged."
Volunteering WA is seeking people interested in being a part of our Disability Advisory Group. To find out more, please visit our website.
VOLUNTEERING PROGRAMS WITHOUT THE HASSLE.
Get a head start on 2023, and book in for a free demo of Australia's brand new volunteer management platform, INVOLVE.
Book in for a demo today to see how INVOLVE will provide a better user experience and a more complete management solution, customised to suit your needs.
Places are limited, don’t miss out!
Volunteering WA not-for-profit Members receive a 25% discount on INVOLVE's annual subscriptions. Ask about the pricing and key features during your demo.
Support services for volunteer involving organisations
If your organisation has a volunteer management query or requires support please contact Volunteering WA. For common queries we can reply with information and resources, and if you require one-on-one support we can escalate your need to our volunteer management team, thanks to support from the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
Become a member of Volunteering WA
Volunteering 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.
Membership benefits
- Not-for-profit members receive a 25% discount on Australia's volunteer management platform INVOLVE
- Discount on fees for Volunteering WA services, including training, events and consultancy
- Unlimited access to VIKTOR (Australia's volunteer recruitment and advertising tool) to promote your volunteer positions online
- Training and technical assistance on VIKTOR
- Assistance with volunteer management queries including writing volunteer positions
- Priority access to corporate volunteer teams and skills-based volunteers
- Access to volunteer manager network and the volunteer leadership network
- Access to volunteer manager mentoring scheme (limited availability / conditions apply)
- Advance alerts for volunteer grants and training
- Access to pro bono legal service via Hall & Wilcox
- Access to members’ only resources and networks
- Your organisation's name and website listed on the Volunteering WA website
- Voting rights at the Annual General Meeting
Learn more about becoming a member of the peak body for volunteering >> www.volunteeringwa.org.au/membership
SECTOR NEWS
New volunteer advertising campaign launched
This week on International Volunteer Day, the McGowan Government launched a new media campaign to encourage more people to volunteer in whatever way they can.
'VOL_NTEER. We need U' is aimed at encouraging more people to consider the different ways they can volunteer in their community and attract a more varied and diverse population to get involved.
Minister for Volunteering Stephen Dawson said Western Australia's volunteers were the lifeblood of local communities and the State would be extremely hard pressed to cope without their immeasurable contribution.
"Every person who becomes a volunteer is making a big difference to supporting their local communities.
"Whether it's the local heroes running their sports clubs or those that step up during times of crisis through our emergency responses, it's our volunteers that keep our communities together and safeguard them when required.
"I encourage all Western Australians to consider being a volunteer because we need 'u' now."
For more information visit www.wa.gov.au/volunteering
WACOSS Award nominations open for community service sector
Nominations are now open for the 2023 Community Services Excellence Awards! The awards are an opportunity to pause, recognise and celebrate outstanding contributions made by organisations and individuals in the community services sector, and the significant differences they make to our communities.
Don't miss your chance to nominate a person or organisation doing excellent work in the sector - visit www.cseawards.org.au
2023 National Volunteering Conference: The Future is Now
Volunteering Australia looks forward to welcoming the sector on Ngunnawal Country, Canberra on 13-14 February 2023. As we come together to launch Australia’s first National Strategy for Volunteering in ten years, this theme reflects that we need to implement change today to ensure volunteering thrives for future generations.
Program announced
The Conference Program has been designed to balance strategic conversations about the future of volunteering with practical sessions which showcase research insights and volunteering innovations. The Program includes six plenary sessions and five concurrent session streams.
>> Register Now! Early bird pricing ends on Friday 16 December 2022
www.volunteeringwa.org.au | 08 9482 4333 | info@volunteeringwa.org.au
Volunteering WA empowers people and communities to enrich Western Australia.
