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I Can Do That*- A Portal Into Another Dimension In Volunteering!
I Can Do That*- A Portal Into Another Dimension In Volunteering!
I Can Do That*
Everyone knows the internet is supposed to make life easier! Sometimes, that is simply not true. However, there is a place on the World Wide Web that is specifically designed to make the life and times of volunteers in Victoria, much simpler and more enjoyable...
There is a place you can visit, a portal online, which is like a doorway to another dimension in volunteering! It’s a bit like the TARDIS, from outside, it looks small and inconspicuous, but once you go inside, it’s amazing, it’s enormous, it can travel through time!!
Since you’re reading this in a blog, I will assume you are able to navigate your way around the labyrinthine internets...
So for you, it’s as easy as visiting www.volunteer.vic.gov.au and taking a look around.
You’ll find hints on making the most of your skills and talents when volunteering, opportunities to offer those skills close to where you live, specific projects requiring volunteers, legal, health & safety tips, suggestions on how to get started, space to advertise for volunteers if your group needs some.... did I mention Dr Who?
You can subscribe to regular feeds @ http://www.volunteer.vic.gov.au/rss share the page with your facebook family, twitter about it, even watch it on YouTube if you want, it’s fun, it’s funky, and it’ll make your volunteer day!
I Can Do That*
It’s About Time!
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Created on: 14 Jul 2011 | 11:59 am
Chipping in... | 14 Jul 2011 | 11:59 am -
Register Now, be prepared to help later.
Register Now, be prepared to help later.
The impact of the floods across four eastern states of Australia, particularly those in Queensland, have been every bit as shocking and as humbling as the Black Saturday Bushfires in 2009.
In the early stages of a flood, there are strategic steps taken to ensure that people will be quickly and safely able to return to their homes. Highly trained and skilled emergency response volunteers are the first on the ground to manage the situation. All other kinds of volunteer work takes place after this initial emergency response phase is managed.
Therefore, it is important that people wanting to volunteer in the recovery phase of any flood situation, both in Queensland and here in Victoria, are requested to register their details now but be prepared to wait until their assistance is required at a later date.
For those wanting to volunteer in the recovery phase in Queensland, please register your details with Volunteering Queensland under the CREW (Community Response to Extreme Weather) program.
Here in Victoria, post flood damage clean ups will be initially handled by Victorian SES and local Councils. Volunteers wanting to support townships with their flood recovery phase, should contact the respective local council offices for information.
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Created on: 14 Jan 2011 | 11:37 am
Chipping in... | 14 Jan 2011 | 11:37 am -
A year for Inspiring the Volunteer in You
A year for Inspiring the Volunteer in You
2011 marks the 10th Anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers. The United Nations General Assembly have set aside this year to celebrate and review how much volunteerism has impacted the world over the past decade.
The theme is "Inspiring the Volunteer in You". A report to the UN will be prepared during the course of the year and presented to the Assembly in December 2011 on the "State of the world's volunteerism". How this report eventually shapes the way that Governments and volunteer involving organisations manage and structure volunteering within Community remains to be seen.
Here in the Wimmera, we attest to the fact that volunteers and volunteering are vital ingredients in the success of many projects, community events, festivals, and social, welfare and environmental programs. Volunteers are the lynchpin for ensuring the stability and livability of our region. This includes the impact of small businesses for they are often the economic "fuel" behind what many clubs and community groups are able to achieve. So many of our community groups and organisations are under-resourced when it comes to effectively managing volunteers, so the value that business provides for supporting volunteer effort is critical to the success of so many of these groups. It must not be ignored.
That being said - volunteering is essential to the betterment of the world. This fact was recognised and identified by the United Nations back in the mid 1990's, when an International year of focus on volunteers and volunteering was first mooted. The International Year of Volunteers was held in 2001 and successfully promoted and highlighted the value and importance of volunteers and volunteering around the globe. This 10th anniversary is a way of re-visiting the impact of volunteers made since 2001 and making adjustments and improvements to how volunteerism is perceived by Community.
Volunteers are not "free" and nor are they a stop gap to achieve services and outcomes for "no cost". Volunteering needs to be treated with the respect and reverence it deserves. This means that the people who freely choose to give their time and expertise are adequately resourced, are well managed and are given roles that are constructive and edifying to both Community and to the volunteer.
The idea of volunteers being merely 'envelope stuffers' is fast becoming an insult to those who would choose to help. Volunteers deserve so much more!
Volunteering is changing though. Many of the old reasons to volunteer - encapsulated in epithets like "Many hands make light work" - are on the decline. Traditional member-based volunteerism seems to be fading out as an option with some community groups heavily relying on volunteers well into their golden years to run cake stalls and sell raffle tickets.
I certainly hope this declining trend won't continue but we still need to adapt to it even so. Initial research suggests that people want to volunteer less frequently, in more diverse ways, and in more highly valued or skilled positions.
Volunteers are still choosing volunteer work as a means of giving back but even in my own experience, they're giving back strategically and mindfully as they consider their schedule, lifestyle and interests.
As prospective volunteers learn their rights and responsibilities, they are recognising that their time and expertise has immense value and won't just engage with an organisation for the sake of it. They want to believe - and know - that their contribution IS making an impact!
Groups and organisations will need to review how they recognise and manage the capacity of volunteers to effect change and make a difference. They'll need to keep data on the impact volunteers are making and regularly report these impacts to volunteers, volunteering bodies and Government. Groups will need to closely assess how and why they want to include volunteers in their team.
Managing volunteers is becoming increasingly necessary to ensure that:- Inspiring new ways are found to engage and recruit prospective volunteers.
- Volunteers are well matched to the organisation and the role they contribute to.
- Volunteers are skilled and trained to achieve key identified outcomes.
- Volunteers are seen as stake-holders and have the ability to effect positive change for the better.
- Volunteers are appropriately commended and acknowledged for the work they are doing and the impact they are making.
In Australia, major volunteering organisations such as Volunteering Australia and Volunteering Victoria are working on a review of the National Standards for effectively involving volunteers in not-for-profit organisations. The Federal Government is also reviewing how volunteers and volunteering impacts on the nation. As you can see, it's going to be an important year for volunteers and volunteer involving groups.
It will be a year where volunteers and volunteering are promoted as being of immense value to the world. It will be a year where the impact and value of volunteering will become increasingly recognised and the bar for their welfare and recognition will be raised!
Most importantly of all - this will be a year to say THANK YOU to volunteers of every nation, creed, race and community for the positive difference they make at every level of society.
You can read and download a brochure about the International Year of Volunteers 10th Anniversary here.
Links:
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Created on: 7 Jan 2011 | 10:58 am
Chipping in... | 7 Jan 2011 | 10:58 am -
"We'll get back to you".... *waiting*, *waiting*, *meh! Whatever!*
"We'll get back to you".... *waiting*, *waiting*, *meh! Whatever!*
How frustrating is it to require a response before you can move forward on a project?
Like…really annoying yes?
Imagine what it’s like for a person who “suddenly” decides they want to – have to – volunteer and are excited and eager to throw themselves into doing great things in the community only to end up having to wait for what seems like an age before “someone” gets back to them about a volunteer role?
Thing is… volunteers are people who have a bit of time to spare and often – a fair bit of passion to “make a difference”. They want to start and start NOW! It can be really frustrating for them to wait and the initial enthusiasm can wane quickly until they give up on the idea of volunteering altogether. Not-for-profit groups – especially small groups in regional Victoria – can’t afford to lose potential volunteer support in this manner.
So? When a person enquires about volunteering with your organisation, it’s critical to swing into action and get them in the door to interview them ASAP. Welcome them. Be enthusiastic in return about their willingness to get involved. Place your Organisation or groups Profile under their nose so that they can capture the vision of what your group is about. Help them help you as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Screen them appropriately to make sure they’re a good match for your services and programs. Don’t be afraid to say “No thanks” if the volunteer isn’t right for your organisation. Be very, very afraid of not saying “Yes” too because attracting volunteers is critical to being sustainable and losing them is all too easy. People can be fickle! They want to feel important and they won’t stay if they feel like they’re not worth much. Treat a prospective volunteer as if they were a fantastic find whenever possible.
This means you need to KNOW exactly what roles you have available front up before volunteers come to your door. You also need to know what paperwork needs to be handy for volunteers to fill in. You need to designate someone in your group – if you don’t have a paid Volunteer Coordinator – to follow up with the prospective volunteer within 48 hours of their enquiry. You need to have a process that enables volunteers to…well…volunteer rather than turn them off… of your group or volunteering as a whole.
It’s exciting and wonderful when people come forward and want to “help” – even if its short term. But, more importantly, it’s the groups and organisations who understand that acting on these enquiries speedily and efficiently will almost guarantee they successfully sustain volunteer support for the long haul.
Come in and see me at Wimmera Volunteers if your group needs assistance or information on how to process prospective volunteers. Stay tuned for the August info sheet called “Screening Volunteers”.
Michelle.
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Created on: 16 Jul 2010 | 5:03 pm
Chipping in... | 16 Jul 2010 | 5:03 pm -
June 2010 Information sheet
June 2010 Information sheet
This month’s information sheet was actually quite good fun to write. I had been wanting to write “something” about youth volunteers for awhile. The Under 18 age bracket presents an opportunity for proactive community groups to tap into a pool of enthusiastic volunteers. Yes! They may be young and inexperienced, but it’s hard not to be cheered by their willingness to jump in and get involved in community work. There’s probably plenty more information that could be useful to groups and organisations on how to recruit, involve, support and acknowledge youth volunteers. I’ll certainly be keeping my ears and eyes open for this information.
During the course of this past year, I’ve been approached by kids and parents alike to assist them find suitable volunteering work in the community. Some are seeking projects to do in the community as a part of the Challenge Program through Horsham College; others want to put in a requisite number of volunteer hours in order to meet the volunteering component of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
But, the question does remain. Are these young people genuine volunteers under the formal definition of volunteering?
The formal definition of volunteering in Australia is as follows:
Formal volunteering is an activity which takes place through not for profit organisations or projects and is undertaken:
• to be of benefit to the community and the volunteer;
• of the volunteer’s own free will and without coercion;
• for no financial payment; and
• in designated volunteer positions only.
The Year 9 Horsham High School Challenge Program is more about kids establishing an identified need in the community, then working as a team to solve it. They may work with community groups but essentially, the program designed such that the kids work solidly on a closed end project – usually of their own design. This means that this particular group don’t necessarily, fit inside the formal definition of volunteering as this work is a critical part of their curriculum studies and isn’t “voluntary” in the strictest sense of the word.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award however, provides kids with real time, on the ground volunteer experiences in the not-for-profit sector. Duke Award kids need to fully link in with and be supervised by community organisations who utilise volunteer support and provide services for the benefit of the community. It could be argued that the Duke Award does fit quite nicely into the definition of volunteerism above.
Both kinds of programs offer kids the opportunity to give back to the community, identify their strengths (and their weaknesses), learn new skills and perspectives. Both kinds of programs are opportunities for Not-for-profit organisations to engage young people in active ways as community problem solvers or as ‘traditional’ volunteers.
Young volunteers do, however require more strategic planning and support from groups than might be usual if they were adults. The information sheet this month gives an overview of this planning and support. It’s not exhaustive so groups will need to establish other appropriate policies and procedures for involving kids as volunteers. It should not be a daunting process but will perhaps require a few extra steps to establish risk and control it in the early stages of a youth volunteer enquiry.
Community participation groups are also encouraged to see how they can provide volunteer opportunities for youth volunteers. It might be a simple matter of establishing a Parent Permission form or ensuring that your Working With Children Check process is up to date.
All Not-for-profit organisations and community groups from across the Wimmera region are strongly encouraged to promote volunteer opportunities to the community through Wimmera Volunteers. We have established a simple online form that your group can use for each volunteer role or vacancy you would like to promote, including for roles suitable for youth. Go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9mspwr9
Youth volunteers will be referred to your organisation or group by Wimmera Volunteers if we can establish that your group has the ability to supervise them appropriately.
michelle
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Created on: 28 Jun 2010 | 3:02 pm
Chipping in... | 28 Jun 2010 | 3:02 pm