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In this issue:
- Working with Children Check Changes
- Project Showcase Event (hear case studies)
- 2023 Award Winners Announced
- New Research on Student Volunteering
- INVOLVE management platform has launched
- Submit your Conference Abstract
Note from the CEO
Welcome to the May volunteering newsletter.
The past couple of months have been wonderfully busy and inspiring for the sector as we celebrated National Volunteer Week with our members, partners and volunteers. This year we were grateful for the opportunity to celebrate in-person again with hundreds of events held across the State, as well as continuing our hugely successful online campaign.
Thank you to each of the volunteer involving organisations, community groups, and individuals who joined us during National Volunteer Week to celebrate WA's volunteers, sharing your online stories and photos. I was honoured to attend a number of events and media opportunities, including a volunteer morning at St Bart's with WA's Corporate Volunteer Council, our staff volunteering morning with Little Things for Tiny Tots, the Department of Communities Awards, and of course our own WA Volunteer of the Year Awards.
With the financial year coming to a close, preparations are in hand for annual reporting. I’d like to urge all our members to include the significant contributions made by volunteers and if required add a dollar value using the Volunteering WA volunteer benefits calculator.
We’re all excited to be planning our State Conference in November. Bookings are already open and I’d recommend booking early to take advantage of early bird rates and limited capacity, and to submit an abstract if you would be interested in presenting.
And finally, excitingly the Western Australia State of Volunteering Report 2023 project is underway. This is Western Australia's largest volunteering sector census and we ask that you please participate in the volunteer involving organisation survey. All results will be published in the WA State of Volunteering Report 2023, providing you with the latest figures and messaging for your advocacy work, and funding applications.
Happy volunteering,
Tina
National Volunteer Week Round Up
Thank you for joining us to recognise volunteers for the vital role they play in communities across the country. While National Volunteer Week is over for another year, we hope we have inspired you to connect and celebrate the diverse volunteering stories across the state.
Online campaign | Hundreds (maybe thousands!) of organisations and community groups across the State joined us online sharing their #NVW2023 and #TheChangeMakers volunteering stories and photos. We love seeing your volunteers so please continue tagging Volunteering WA in your NVW posts.
NVW Grants | From Broome in the north, to Esperance in the south, 175 volunteer involving organisations across Western Australia shared in $215,000 worth of grants to support their NVW volunteer celebration activities thanks to Lotterywest.
Going red for NVW | Each year during NVW, a number of iconic Western Australian buildings and landmarks across the State light in magnificent red – the colour of volunteering – in support of volunteers. Our supporters include, The Bell Tower, Perth Concert Hall, Elizabeth Quay Bridge, and Council House.
WA Volunteer of the Year Awards | On Thursday 18 May, 315 volunteers and organisations joined us at Crown Perth for the annual WA Volunteer of the Year awards where we celebrated 22 Finalists and Winners. The event was hosted by ABC Radio's Nadia Mitsopolous and made possible thanks to our Award Partners and supporters. Please see our list of inspiring 2023 Recipients. The full photo album has been uploaded to Facebook.
2024 Save the Date | If you're a planner like us, 2024 National Volunteer Week will be celebrated 13 - 19 May 2024.
Upcoming Workshops for Volunteer Managers
>> Check out all of our 2023 scheduled workshops, courses and training sessions on the Volunteering WA training page and see our June workshops
08 June, 10:00am - 11:00am, Designing Volunteer Roles and Position Descriptions
ONLINE: Free to attend - registrations are essential
This session will look at what a position description is, the importance of having one and designing roles which add value to your organisation.
15 June, 9:30am - 12:30pm, LGBTQIA+ Awareness and Inclusion
ONLINE: Member Price: $40 Non-Member Price: $55
Facilitated by SHQ (Sexual Health Quarters), this session looks at how to be inclusive of the LGBTQIA+ community and will discuss strategies to address discrimination in the workplace.
20 June, 9:30am - 1:30pm, Project Showcase - Case studies from volunteering organisations
IN-PERSON: ALMOST SOLD OUT!
Volunteering WA is inviting you to the volunteer organisation Showcase, where you will hear from our funded volunteer management project recipients, experiences from our advisory groups, and guest speakers - all who will pass on their challenges and experiences so you can take them back to your volunteer involving organisation.
21 June, 10:00am - 11:00am, Building a Volunteer Management Engagement Plan
ONLINE: Free to attend - registrations are essential
This interactive workshop will look at how to attract and motivate new and existing modern volunteers, identify the systems and processes needed to run an effective volunteer management program and how to work with volunteers using best practice in line with the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement.
22 June, 10:00am - 10:30am, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Info Session
ONLINE: Free to attend - registrations are essential
Are you interested in learning more about your professional development and how to become a leader in volunteering? This 30 min session will give an overview of VWA's Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Program and how it will benefit your role.
28 June, 11:00am - 12:00pm, Step into Corporate Volunteering (Perth)
ONLINE: Free to attend - registrations are essential
Interested in learning more about how corporate volunteers might assist your organisation? Hosted by the Volunteering WA Corporate Team, this online session will provide an overview of our corporate volunteering program and get you started on your journey into tapping into our thousands of WA corporate volunteers. Our Corporate Volunteering Program is only open to Volunteering WA Members.
INVOLVE has launched!
We are excited to share the news that you can now sign up for an INVOLVE account and start accessing this all-new volunteer management software.
The management of volunteers should be easy, and it is with INVOLVE. INVOLVE is a flexible and fully featured app, centred around your volunteers.
Check out our Premium, Essentials and Free Plans which can be tailored to suit the number of volunteers you coordinate.
Volunteer management just got a whole lot easier so sign up now and start managing your volunteers your way.
Abstracts Open | Volunteering WA State Conference
Abstract submissions are open for the 2023 Volunteering WA State Conference to be held at Optus Stadium 14 - 15 November. Submissions can be made from anyone with an interest in volunteering – volunteers, administrators, consumers, service providers, researchers, industry partners, peak bodies and national associations. Share your knowledge and inspire others by submitting your presentation abstract by 5.00pm Friday 9 June 2023.
We can do more with your support - Become a State Conference Partner
If your organisation or business would like to see the State Conference Sponsorship Prospectus and chat to our team please contact Traci Gamblin.
Volunteering WA's consultancy service
Over the last few months we have had the pleasure of travelling to a number of regional towns as part of our current consultancy work. We have gained some valuable insights that will be shared with our client and will help shape their future work. Our team really enjoys getting out and about, so don't feel our consultancy service is only restricted to the metro area. We are happy to deliver our services state-wide.
Volunteering WA has a 30+ year proven track record of providing and sharing effective, efficient and innovative volunteer management and program support to volunteer involving organisations in WA.
Speak with our Member Services Manager, Jane Mason, about how Volunteering WA can support your volunteer program through fee-for-service based consultancy no matter where you are in WA.
Self-Paced Microlearning Courses
Volunteering WA is pleased to announce the third self-paced online course Becoming an Inclusive Volunteering Organisation
This course offers two modules dedicated to making the volunteer experience a fairer, safer and more inclusive cultural field and practice. It provides Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs) with the knowledge and skills to work towards becoming an inclusive volunteering workplace.
Click on VWA's link Microlearning courses to register.
Developing tomorrow’s professional leaders of volunteers in WA
Volunteering WA’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program is one of our professional development services, that helps to prepare you for success, and a career in volunteer management. Endorsed by Volunteering Australia, it provides a structured, yet flexible, and supported pathway for you to improve, demonstrate and record your knowledge and skills development over the course of 12 months.
What is CPD?
CPD is the practice of maintaining and developing the skills and knowledge required in your current job role, sector and to set you up for the next step in your career. CPD is for volunteer managers or coordinators who are actively leading volunteers.
Participants are required to accumulate a minimum of 16 points in 12 months. CPD points can be achieved through any combination of methods including learning on the job, reading relevant articles, attending or participating in events, joining industry committees and groups, as well as formal training and reflecting on what you have learned and gained from such activities.
And the best thing is, you can start at any time and can continue to undertake CPD for as many years as you would like.
Why should you participate in CPD?
It will
• add to your current and future employability
• motivate you to keep up your learning of volunteer management
• keep you up to date with changes in the sector
• demonstrate your commitment to good practice in volunteer management
• give you access to a group of like-minded aspiring, future focused volunteer managers
• set you apart from others
The CPD program is exclusive to Volunteering WA full members. To register your expression of interest, please click on CPD Expression of Interest or email training@volunteeringwa.org.au.
Welcome New Members
Welcome to new and renewing Volunteering WA Members, Ambulance Wish Western Australia, Impala Kart Club of Tom Price, Perth Pirates Dragon Boat Club, South Hedland Fire & Rescue Service, and Karratha BMX Club Inc.
Being a member gives you access to a great range of member benefits and services. However, it is about more than this. It’s about recognising the essential contribution of volunteers and volunteering in our communities as well as your own organisation. It’s about working together to harness the power of volunteering, to promote stronger, healthier more inclusive communities.
Benefit reminders | Did you know Volunteering WA Members receive a 20% discount on State Conference tickets, AND not-for-profit members receive a 25% discount on an annual subscription for INVOLVE, Australia's new volunteer management platform.
Member Spotlight
The team at Little Things for Tiny Tots are clear about their goal; they want to make sure that every baby can thrive. Their purpose is to help families that need a helping hand, to care for their newborns by supplying essential items.
A member of Volunteering WA
since 2019 and a regular host to corporate teams of volunteers facilitated by Volunteering WA, co-founder Kiren Bigwood shares their journey to date, her deep respect and appreciation for volunteers, what she has learned along the way...
Read Little Things for Tiny Tots' story.
Sector News
Federal Government announced $3 million national volunteering advertising campaign
Since 2016 there has been a substantial decline in volunteering with the COVID-19 pandemic a significant contributor. The Australian Government's funding boost comes at the end of National Volunteering week which saw thousands of events held around the country to celebrate the contributions volunteers make to our communities and environment.
The advertising campaign will run across radio, television and social media and will include targeted toolkits and materials for people with disability, First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
It will be designed with the aim of reshaping the public narrative about volunteering to show the breadth of diversity in volunteering roles and organisations.
New Research Publication
The Impact of COVID-19 on University Students’ Volunteering – Emerging Trends and Way Forward 2023 research explored key challenges in university student volunteering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, considered the impact on student volunteers' wellbeing, and looked at future intentions to volunteer.
The Report specifically explores trends in university student volunteering at Western Australian universities. This research project was funded through Volunteering WA's annual volunteer grant program with the support of the Volunteering WA Research Committee.
Changes to the WA Volunteer National Police Certificate (VNPC) Program
The WA Volunteer National Police Certificate (VNPC) Program process has changed to create a more streamlined procedure. The program has resulted in new applications being processed within 24-48 hours.
The Department of Communities is developing supporting guidelines for existing and new registered organisations to support these changes, alongside registered organisations.
Organisations who would like to register will need to access information via Volunteer National Police Certificate Program (www.wa.gov.au), currently the registration process is the same. More information to follow.
WA Government's New Volunteering Action Plan
During National Volunteer Week, Volunteering Minister Stephen Dawson launched the State Government's WA Volunteering Strategy Action Plan 2023-2026, which provides details of volunteering initiatives being undertaken across State Government to support Strategy outcomes.
New global report on corporate volunteering
The International Association of Volunteer Effort (IAVE) has just launched Corporate Volunteering in a Post-Pandemic World, Part Two, an analysis of the State of Health of Corporate Volunteering in each region of the world: Africa, Arab Nations, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America, plus selected countries.
Volunteering WA is featured in the report for our leadership in corporate volunteering in Australia, as well as convening the only Corporate Volunteer Council in the country.
Working with Children Check - changes are coming
The Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Amendment Act 2022 is intended to commence operation on 1 July 2023. The Department of Communities’ Working with Children (WWC) Screening Unit is conducting a number of online and in person workshops detailing the forthcoming changes to the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. Face to face sessions are also being offered across regional WA to inform people about their rights and obligations under the WWC legislation. Further information and registration details can be found on the WWC Eventbrite page.
National Reconciliation Week (27 May - 3 June)
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023, Be a Voice for Generations, encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.
Volunteer Groups receive one-off funding grants
Four Volunteer Resource Centres awarded funding to establish sustainable volunteer program practices. The Albany and Regional Volunteer Service, Peel Volunteer Resource Centre, Volunteer South West and the Shire of Esperance will each receive up to $25,000 to develop sustainable business practices and increase their investment in volunteering.
Have your say: sport participation survey now open
Facilitated by the Australian Sports Commission in partnership with sector stakeholders, the National Sport Participation Strategy aims to transform the way sport participation is connected, delivered and supported in Australia and is being.
The online National Sport Participation Strategy Survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and closes at 5pm Friday 16 June 2023.
www.volunteeringwa.org.au | 08 9482 4333 | info@volunteeringwa.org.au
Volunteering WA empowers people and communities to enrich Western Australia.
