new opportunities to volunteer with community skillsbank...
TRANSCRIPT
Judy Jeffrey Community Projects Manager
03 5762 4311
Cherie Gottschling Volunteer Management
Program 03 5723 1376
Wendy Legg Project Development
03 5762 4311
October 2009
The Centre receives financial support from the Australian Government
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)
New Opportunities to Volunteer with Community Skillsbank
Two ways to support our Emergency Services CSB currently has roles in Emergency Services in both North East Victoria and other Victorian regions. These roles require volunteers to register with CSB on the basis that they may be required to be available on an ‘on call’ basis. The roles are with VicRelief FoodBank who provide donated food and materials to support communities in need across the state. Volunteers may be asked to drive a small truck to pick up goods, to pick vegetables or fruit in an orchard or to contact organisations to see if they have excess food available to support the operations of VicRelief FoodBank. If you have the time and skills available to support VicRelief FoodBank, please visit our website www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au
and check out Latest Volunteer Opportunities. If you know people in other regions in Victoria who may also be interested in this worthwhile volunteering opportunity, please let them know how to register their interest.
Also, as summer approaches, Community Skillsbank would like to be pro-active in registering the skills of volunteers who are prepared to be part of a ‘pool of skills’ on standby to support our Emergency Services. If you register your skills and contact details you will be technically ‘on standby’ should those skills be required in an emergency over the coming season. Don’t wait for the emergency to happen, REGISTER NOW!
Address The Centre
Community Skillsbank Greta Road
Wangaratta Vic 3677
Phone 03 5723 1376 03 5723 1388
Fax 03 5723 1380
Website www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au
or www.thecentre.vic.edu.au
Email [email protected]
Mentoring for young disengaged men A new project in Benalla, working with young men aged 16 to 25 years, requires volunteer mentors who are interested in making a difference to the lives of young people who have disengaged from community structures due to neglect, abuse and adversity. Ideally you will be located close to Benalla and will be flexible in your availability. If you have a passion for positive change in the community, like working with young people and have skills and experience to share, we want to hear from you please. To register your interest in being involved in supporting these young men, please email [email protected]
Community Skillsbank (CSB) is a centralised Volunteer Referral Centre which (through an innovative easy-to-use database of information) matches volunteer skills and interests to available volunteer opportunities across North East Victoria. We have a range of interesting and diverse roles suitable for all ages and abilities. The Community Skillsbank team can assist you with training and pathways to future opportunities. Tell us what you are interested in and we can connect you. You too can assist us. If you have an idea for volunteer activities and opportunities please contact us by phone or through the Feedback mechanism on our website www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au
How to Register Volunteers and organisations can initiate a registration with Community Skillsbank by:
www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au
Email or post registration
(form available from website or CSB)
Phone CSB to organise a ‘person to
person’ or telephone interview
Contact Community Skillsbank Phone 03 5723 1388 Wangaratta or 03 5762 4311 Benalla
Fax 03 5723 1380 Wangaratta or 03 5762 4208 Benalla
Email [email protected]
Website www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au
Visit us at The Centre Greta Road (High School campus) Wangaratta Victoria 3677
Postal Address Community Skillsbank The Centre Chisholm Street Wangaratta Victoria 3677
What is COMMUNITY SKILLSBANK?What is COMMUNITY SKILLSBANK?
In September, Community Skillsbank had the pleasure of facilitating three ‘Opening Doors to Volunteering’ bus tours. Members of the community joined the buses as volunteer involving organisations ‘Opened their Doors’ to invite the touring group to learn about their activities and the roles of their volunteers. We had the opportunity to discover diverse and varied volunteer opportunities throughout the Wangaratta, Beechworth, Yackandandah, Myrtleford and Bright regions. Community Skillsbank thank all of the organisations listed below who opened their doors and made the tours a great success and a big thanks also to the volunteers who spoke about their contribution to our communities. • North East Health • Centre Active Recreation Network • Wangaratta Police • NE Water Catchment—WaterWatch • Rural City of Wangaratta • St Vincent De Paul • Oak FM • Indigo Shire, Youth I86 Program • Beechworth Visitor Information Centre • Beechworth Historic Precinct • Indigo Shire, Community Meals • Yackandandah Community Education Network • Yackandandah and District Historical Society Inc • Landcare Victoria • Myrtleford Neighborhood House • Cheryl Sanderson, Myrtleford • Alpine Visitors Information Centre • Bright Visitor Ambassadors' program • SES Bright • Alpine Health • Bright Men's Shed • Bright Art Gallery
Feedback from tour participants: “The tour opened my eyes to organisations that I did not know were run by volunteers.” “I am now more aware of how important volunteering is and I am starting to consider being a volunteer.” “The tour showed me that there are many different aspects of volunteering for everyone.” “There was so much information shared today, if this information was put out then no-one would be home alone, they would be out helping others.” “Wow! I can’t believe the options out there for volunteers, there is so much to do and choose from.”
A big thank you must go to our volunteer bus driver, Mr Bob Cairns (pictured right with Cherie Gottschling, Volunteer Management Program Manager) and to the participants who donated cans of food to local charities for distribution to community members in need.
Opening Doors to VolunteeringOpening Doors to Volunteering
Opening Doors to Volunteering Opening Doors to Volunteering —— photosphotos
David Knibbs
Where do you volunteer and what is a normal day volunteering for you? I volunteer on Mondays at King Valley Learning Exchange doing all kinds of handyman jobs, Tuesdays at Rangeview Nursing Home doing horticulture and helping the residents with gardening projects and planting and on a Thursday I volunteer at Appin Park Primary School doing handyman activities and repairs.
That is a lot of different roles, why so much and for so many different organisations? I like variety and so many different organisations and individuals need help in the community. I really enjoy volunteering, being busy, meeting people and helping out.
What do you personally get out of volunteering? I have a condition called post traumatic stress disorder as a result of a work accident, this condition prevents me from returning to full time work. Volunteering allows me to give my time somewhere else and also is really good for my mental health. Sitting around home doing nothing is not healthy and can leave you feeling very depressed. I have been helped by people over the last 10 years and I want to give back. Through volunteering I get a feeling of great pleasure, for example three other volunteers and I recently finished off a sandpit at the Appin Park Primary School (pictured above), the volunteer team were great to work with and the kids have a fantastic sand pit as a result. I get great pleasure out of watching others get pleasure from the work I have done, the kids are really enjoying the sandpit and I have received thanks from the people I have helped.
TIP 1 - Ideas to recognise our volunteers Recognising volunteers is as simple as showing them your appreciation on a day-to-day basis. A regular and sincere thank you is still the best way to build a good recognition program
Volunteer ProfileVolunteer Profile
For information on any of these roles please contact Cherie Gottschling at Community Skillsbank on [email protected] or 03 5723 1376
Borinya offers young people aged nine to sixteen an opportunity to be a member of a supportive, learning community during a time in their lives when they may be struggling with social or emotional challenges, or when main stream education does not meet their needs. Currently eighteen students ranging from year 7 to 10 are continuing their secondary level learning through Borinya, the school aims to seek registration for primary school students (grade 5-6) in 2011.
The dedicated team at Borinya believe that through identifying young peoples strengths, challenges and barriers to learning we are able to provide individuals with enjoyable and rewarding learning experience. “The power of young people to reflect on their choices and consider the impact of their decisions and behaviour on others can not be ignored.” advised Trish Merlo, Principal. “Not a day goes by without staff finding a number of positives from the day — whether it be motivation of a particular student to achieve in their learning or displays of manners and empathy towards others.
Borinya are looking to develop a ‘Friends of Borinya’ group and a volunteer program to enhance the learning of the students. Please contact Trish Merlo at Borinya on 03 5721 2174 if you would like to be involved in the Friends of Borinya group.
Volunteering with Borinya Borinya is very keen to encourage community involvement through their volunteer program. In addition to the roles listed below we would welcome any additional or specialty skills that can help the students in their learning for example kitchen garden, arts and crafts, music and cultural programs and sport and recreation. If you have an idea please make contact.
Current roles available include:
Learning Support volunteers — hands on role in a team situation and supporting teaching staff in learning activities. Literacy and numeracy support for students.
Builder/Handyman — Borinya is a brand new school which opened in July 2009. A volunteer with building skills is required to put up shedding and build a chook shed/yards.
Gardener — seeking the assistance of keen gardeners to help establish and maintain new gardens.
Volunteer OpportunitiesVolunteer Opportunities To check out the variety of local volunteer opportunities log onto the Community Skillsbank website www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au
For information on any of these roles please contact the Community Skillsbank team [email protected] or 03 5723 1388
Evolve at Typo Clearing Sale and Community Day
Event Volunteers Required Evolve, a not for profit organisation, has a remote rural property at Cheshunt where they provide a supportive environment for disadvantaged young people to build skills, resources and support networks for long-term growth and life achievement.
On Saturday 12 December, Typo Station will hold a Clearing Sale day. Volunteers are needed to assist with preparation before the event, on the event day and to assist with pack up as follows:
SAT 28 NOV and SUN 29 NOV and WED 9 DEC to FRI 11 DEC – roles include clean up of property; cleaning items for sale condition report on items for sale; layout lots of grounds for viewing and sale.
SAT 12 DEC - Event Day – roles include assist auctioneer with displaying/demonstrating goods for sale; check to ensure items paid for before collected; assist purchasers with loading purchased items into their vehicles or storing for later pickup; assist Sheaf Toss and crosscut stewards; set up equipment, taking entries, etc.
SUN 13 DEC - Station clean up, refuse transport. Volunteers required with trailers and or utes.
As well as the auctioning of items, there will be a number of activities such as the Sheaf Toss and the Crosscut Saw competition. You are welcome to stay over — bring your swag, tent, BYO food and drinks and enjoy. Rotary will be providing barbeque snags on the day.
If you would like to assist Typo with this event please Quote Role No: RO001404
Front of House Volunteer Are you interested in art? Front of House volunteers required for art gallery situated in the NE Victoria. Role includes greeting and assisting visitors with enquiries, providing visitors with information about the gallery and its exhibitions and some administrative assistance. Volunteers with great customer service skills are treasured. Volunteers are on a roster basis for days that suit. Quote Role No: RO001205
Go on ... enjoy yourself whilst volunteering — try the Sheaf Toss competition at Typo Station
Kitchen Volunteer Do you enjoy cooking? Are you interested in learning with an organisation as they develop their Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program? Come and work alongside a small group of children in a beautiful new kitchen. Cooking skills aren't necessary, just a desire to give kids some help. The kitchen teacher plans the sessions and will show you what to do. Time commitment: blocks of 1.5 hours on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Quote Role No: RO001336
Greenkeeper/Gardener Energetic person required to assist with the maintenance of bowling green; the person would be need to be physically fit with an interest in both horticulture and maintenance. This position is available for immediate start. Quote Role No: RO000157 Community Skillsbank has a number of gardening roles in Beechworth, Wangaratta and Bright. Contact us for further information.
Volunteer Walk Program Organiser Health organisation requires volunteer organiser to build up walk groups in your area. Promote walking and your group, keep a contact list of your walk group, promote healthy exercise for good health, attend walks, welcome new walkers, liaise with head office regarding attendance numbers and promotion of your group and photos and stories for promotion of healthy walking. If you like to encourage good health Quote Role No: RO001402
TIP 2 - Ideas to recognise our volunteers Try to vary the ways you give recognition with lots of small acknowledgements regularly and the occasional big celebration
Corporate Volunteering Corporate Volunteering –– Bendigo Bank BenallaBendigo Bank Benalla
Meals on Wheels — Benalla For more information about volunteering with the Benalla Rural City Meals on Wheels program, contact: Community Skillsbank: www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au
or phone 03 5762 4311 or 03 5723 1388
If you are interested in assisting from a corporate volunteering perspective, please contact Cherie Gottschling at Community Skillsbank on 03 5723 1376 or email [email protected]
Staff at Benalla’s Bendigo Bank Branch are working to provide more than banking services for the community, with the team making a real contribution to the lives of local people. Since March this year, seven staff from the branch have been involved with Benalla Rural City’s Meals on Wheels program delivering pre-prepared dinners to up to 50 residents a month.
Customer Relationship Manager, Jenny Lee said the branch team has found the experience very rewarding. “It’s fantastic to be able to meet new people and help them out by providing a nutritious hot meal which they may otherwise not be able to provide for themselves.”
With around 150 recipients the Meals on Wheels Program delivers meals seven days a week. New volunteers are always welcome to join and assist with this important community need.
Bendigo Bank has a long history of supporting local communities, through sponsorships, a range of community engagement activities and its Community Bank® model. In Benalla, Bendigo Bank is currently working with locals to establish a long-term partnership which will generate funds to assist with community projects and initiatives. Bendigo has supported a range of local community organisations - Benalla Trust Foundation, Benalla Show Society, Benalla Better Bike Hike, Police Memorial Gardens and the Benalla Theatre Company are just some of the groups that Bendigo Bank has been able to assist in their local community.
Getting ready to enjoy their volunteering, Michelle Hayes, Branch Manager and Jenny Lee, Customer Relationship Manager, head out to deliver meals to their allocated clients
The branch offers an internal Community Board where community organisations and foundations can display their projects and upcoming events.
“Supporting and empowering local communities is built into the Bendigo Bank’s ethos and we are especially proud to be involved with the Benalla Meals on Wheels,” Jenny said. “We deliver meals once a fortnight on a Monday in pairs. Whilst setting out the clients’ meal, staff take the opportunity to make sure everything is okay and make time for a chat. This is often the best part of the role to catch up and share a conversation. We have heard some wonderful stories and engaged in some interesting conversations over the time we have been doing the deliveries. It is such a positive experience, the people receiving the meals are pleased to see you and from our perspective it is a great way for us to interact amongst ourselves in doing something outside of our work environment. We mix up the rosters so that everyone has a chance to have the experience with a different staff member. It creates a very positive staff workforce and outlook.”
Michelle advised that most of their staff are involved in some way or another with volunteering in the community and at the Bendigo Bank this is encouraged and recognised.
Volunteering plays such an important role in the community. People may not consider they have volunteered but most people have done this through their children with sporting activities or through club based activities. The ongoing existence of clubs and community life relies on volunteering; especially in a rural community.
Both Michelle and Jenny encourage businesses and people in the community to look beyond their day to day routines to see where they could, even in a small way give back by way of volunteering to assist the community. They suggest, “Talk to others in your community, find out ways you can become involved, even 1 hour a week could make a huge difference to the running of your community. Everyone has abilities and life experience they can share with others. It is a very
International Volunteer Day 2009 - Saturday 5 December International Volunteer Day (IVD) was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985. IVD is now celebrated worldwide with thousands of volunteers involved in a range of IVD initiatives including clean-up campaigns, conferences, exhibitions, morning teas and many other activities all aimed to highlight the role of volunteers in their communities. International Volunteer Day is the perfect time for an organisation to express gratitude to its volunteers. Designed to thank volunteers and stimulate a greater awareness of their contribution, IVD is already marked in more than half the countries of the world. Become part of a global movement to honour volunteers and the amazing work they do — we have included tips throughout this newsletter — ideas to recognise your volunteer.
2009 National Survey Volunteering Australia’s 2009 National Survey of Volunteering Issues is now open and can be accessed by clicking on the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=nbfcT1LZQj5VlGBuTORGbQ_3d_3d We urge all volunteers and not for profit organisations that involve volunteers, as well as business organisations that have employee volunteering programs, to participate and encourage you to distribute this link widely to your networks and volunteers. The survey takes around 15 minutes to complete and is open until 30 October. You are able to save your responses and return to the survey if you do not complete it all in one go. The National Survey of Volunteering Issues helps Volunteering Australia understand what issues are emerging in the sector and what factors help or hinder effective volunteering. Volunteering Australia uses this information to formulate policy positions to put to government, and also to target where our research and consultation efforts should be directed. This is the fourth National Survey of Volunteering Issues, which includes questions and themes from previous years’ surveys to enable us to compare and track volunteering trends, as well as including some new themes such as employee volunteering, the measurement of volunteer contribution and volunteers’ sense of community belonging. The survey has also been refined to make it easier for you to respond. The 2009 National Survey of Volunteering Issues report will be released on Friday 4 December in celebration of International Volunteer Day (Saturday 5 December).
National Volunteer Week 2010 Theme Announced
Volunteering Australia are pleased to announce that the theme for
National Volunteer Week 10-16 May 2010 is...
‘Volunteering: Now, more than ever’ This theme really brings volunteering to the forefront and provides a focussed agenda for the volunteer sector. It will raise the profile of volunteering and highlight that volunteering, now, more than ever, is important to Australian society and the contribution of all volunteers must be recognised. This theme can be used by groups to recruit 'Now more than ever we need you' or recognise and thank 'Now more than ever we recognise and value our volunteers' and we will provide organisations with key messages and ideas from which they can use the theme in the coming months.
Volunteering Australia updatesVolunteering Australia updates
Centre Active Recreation Network
Sailability As the sailing season fast approaches, so do the Sailability programs. Grab your diary and enter the following dates for the beginning of the Sailability season. • Wed 28 Oct — Nagambie Regatta Centre, Come & Try • Sat 14 Nov — Albury/Wodonga Yacht Club • TBA — Yarrawonga Yacht Club Sailability • TBA — Rocky Valley Dam, Falls Creek
Sailability
International Day of People with a Disability Celebration events for ‘International Day’ will begin across the Hume region in November. • Sat 7 Nov — Nagambie Regatta Centre
• Tue 24 Nov — Wallan Community Centre
• Thu 3 Dec — Everton to Wangaratta Rail Trail Ride
Contact the CARN team if you would like to participate or need further information
Up coming events ....
Contact CARN ... Address CARN at The Centre Greta Road (High School campus) Wangaratta Vic 3677 Email [email protected] Website www.thecentre.vic.edu.au/carn Phone 03 5723 1370 Fax 03 5723 1380
For more information or to register for these roles please contact Community Skillsbank [email protected]
03 5723 1388 or 03 5762 4311 or logon to www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au and view latest opportunities
Volunteer OpportunitiesVolunteer Opportunities
The Heritage Care program is calling for Volunteers
Do you have an interest in local history? A unique opportunity exists to help preserve part of Beechworth’s history
All volunteers will receive: • Accredited Certificate in First Aid Level 1 • Training in Occupational Health and Safety • Uniform and personal protective equipment • Guidance from Heritage Victoria Your commitment: • Willingness to attend 1-2 days per week for 6
months • Enthusiasm for the project • Willingness to work in a team environment Benefits: • Sense of achievement • Work with a strong community group • Learn about our history and heritage • Skills for your future
Be part of a small team helping to catalogue and protect the Murray Brewery’s collection of antique bottles, bottling equipment and other paraphernalia. Volunteers will be involved in the fascinating process of researching, identifying, sorting, and cataloguing the collection that is based at the Murray Brewery. You will be given advice and supervision in order to undertake this project to help keep history alive.
For more information or to register for these roles please contact Community Skillsbank
03 5723 1388 or 03 5762 4311
or logon to www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au and view latest opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities Volunteer Opportunities —— Animal loversAnimal lovers
TIP 3 - Ideas to recognise our volunteers When giving certificates or awards invite volunteers family members to presentations It is a good idea to keep track of any cards, certificates or presents given out in the past, so that the same thing doesn’t get given twice
Pet Visiting People who have a pet dog or rabbit in the Beechworth area who would like to visit individuals in the residential wards and acute ward. Dog must have a vet check for temperament and vaccinations. Quote Role No: RO000191
Greyhound Foster Carers Volunteer Pet Lovers needed. Take a big part in the successful transition of greyhounds from the track to the family home. Foster carers are required to take greyhounds into their home for 3-4 weeks and prepare them for life as a domestic pet. Tasks include housetraining (greyhounds are already kennel trained, so they`re almost housetrained anyway), introducing them to new experiences such as TV`s, vacuum cleaners, shiny floors, children and other pets. Foster carers also teach the dogs appropriate house manners (eg no jumping on furniture or kitchen benches, sitting quietly on their mats inside). Carers can be from any region or metro. Pick up points are available in the metro area or arrangements made to collect from a regional centre. Quote Role No: RO001292
Animal Care Assistant Are you 15 years of age or over? Do you love animals? Can you spare some time to meet new people and learn new skills?
If so, you can assist us in the care of our animals in this volunteering opportunity in Wangaratta.
Current tetanus vaccination required. One on one training provided with an experienced volunteer/staff member. Role involves feeding, grooming, bathing, walking dogs/cats, playing with animals, general housekeeping of kennels, assisting public regarding adoption of animals. Quote Role No: RO000135
‘Pathways Introduction to Volunteering’ training
Throughout 2009 Community Skillsbank
has been involved in helping our local
school connect their students to
volunteering opportunities and introducing
volunteering to the students through
delivery of our ‘Pathways Introduction to
Volunteering’ training. To date
approximately 150 students have completed
the pathways training in 2009 at both
Wangaratta and Benalla secondary schools.
The Community Skillsbank team has a
great passion for youth volunteering and
believe the benefits to the students include:
• Having a voice
• Making a positive difference
• Giving back to the community
• Making new friends and building relationships
• Building confidence
• Contributing to a more just society
• Discovering what you like and having fun
• Experiences for future work or study
• Networking opportunities
• Developing skills
Students Students —— our future Volunteersour future Volunteers
TIP 4 - Ideas to recognise our volunteers Hold special 'thank you' or social functions in honour of volunteers
It is wonderful to see schools fostering a culture of
community connection through volunteering, if you would like to be involved in a volunteer
program as a student or young person please contact Community Skillsbank.
Invitation to Volunteer Coordinators The meeting is an opportunity for Volunteer Coordinators to network and exchange information and ideas with other volunteer involving organisations and community groups in our region. It is also an opportunity for Volunteer Coordinators to receive information and updates on volunteering and gain benefits of training, to be informed by relevant speakers and source information pertinent to our roles as coordinators of volunteers. Volunteer Coordinators, you are invited to the next North East Volunteer Coordinator Network meeting to be held on ...
Wednesday 11 November 2009 at 12.30pm at The Centre, Chisholm Street Wangaratta
Agenda This meeting will be a training session on establishing networks
12.30pm Training Session Commences
Topics What is networking? Benefits of having a good network Strategic networking Tips to build your network Where to network Stumbling blocks to successful networking and how to overcome them
Outcomes Participants able to: • Identify the benefits of having a network of business relationships • Develop a strategy to establish, grow and maintain own network • Discuss and overcome barriers to networking • Develop a toolbox of networking techniques
Methodology Interactive workshop providing learning from a variety of sources - facilitated whole group discussion, written material from a variety of sources and small group activities 2.30pm Close
RSVP by close of business Wednesday 4 November to allow preparation of training resources Please Note – Lunch will not be served at this training session, there will be a light afternoon tea available If you are interested in joining the group please contact Cherie Gottschling on 03 5723 1376 or [email protected]
North East Volunteer CoNorth East Volunteer Co--ordinators Network Meetingordinators Network Meeting
TIP 5 - Ideas to recognise our volunteers Offer training opportunities for your volunteers to gain new skills
Training OpportunitiesTraining Opportunities
Pathways – Introduction to Volunteering Learn about
• Your rights as a volunteer • Your responsibilities as a volunteer • Occupational Health and Safety • Police checks and Working With Children checks • Insurance for volunteers • How to find the right volunteering role for you
Location The Centre
Greta Road (High School Campus) Wangaratta
Sessions dates Tuesday 10 November 2009, 10.30am - 12.00pm
(choose one) Thursday 12 November 2009, 1.30pm - 3.00pm
Cost No charge for Community Skillsbank registered volunteers or organisations
$10.00 per person for non Community Skillsbank members
Not registered with Community Skillsbank? Sign up today at www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au
Fuel vouchers are available for volunteers needing travel assistance
Bookings essential
Contact Benalla: Wendy Legg P: 03 5762 4311 F: 03 5762 4208
Wangaratta: Cherie Gottschling P: 03 5723 1376 F: 03 5723 1380
Email: [email protected]
If times/dates for this workshop are not convenient, please contact us to discuss
Active Volunteering Accredited Certificates Active Volunteering is a training course for volunteers wanting to up-skill their qualifications. Certificate I, II and III in Active Volunteering are nationally accredited courses developed through Volunteering Australia and designed especially for volunteers. The Centre, as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), has undertaken to deliver these courses. The course primarily is designed for volunteers who want to gain recognition and qualifications for themselves or for future workplace opportunities. You can build competencies which are generic to all types of volunteer roles and are therefore relevant to volunteers working in any field. Areas covered are: • What it means to be a volunteer • Volunteer orientation • The unique context of volunteering and how this impacts on volunteer work practices • How to work safely and effectively in environments particular to volunteers, including understanding how legislation
affects volunteering • How to communicate and work effectively with diverse groups of people Active Volunteering volunteers are able to choose elective modules focussed on particular areas of interest or their voluntary work such as Retail sales, Boards/committees/community development, Conservation, Human services and others which can be added to the core competencies for each Certificate level. The course is flexibly delivered which means you undertake the training at work and at home; in your time with an assessor allocated to assist and support you. For further information on Active Volunteering, please contact: Tracey Mickle at The Centre 03 5721 0217 or Cherie Gottschling, Volunteer Management Program on 03 5723 1376 What volunteers and community agencies are saying about the Active Volunteering Certificates ...
“When you can put something like this on your resume, it looks good … In this world, accredited training and a certificate helps ... If I say, ‘I’m a volunteer’, it might not hold much sway if I was applying for a position on a Board, for example. But if I say, ‘I’m a volunteer and I have a Certificate in Active Volunteering’, it gives me credibility. It’s a type of validation of my skills and of volunteering itself. This type of accredited training for volunteers should have happened years ago.” (Volunteer) “It is the vision of our Chief Executive Officer that all our volunteers be accredited by attaining a Certificate in Active Volunteering.” (Manager, Not-for-Profit Organisation) “The students now understand what volunteering is all about – the seed has been planted. They can make the link between people being involved on a football committee or as a sports coach, and volunteering. They might not volunteer again immediately but later this experience will mean something to them. Before they just thought that volunteering was something for old people, now they understand that they too can be a volunteer.” (VCAL Secondary College teacher)
These quotes are reflected in the Active Volunteering Certificates evaluation document prepared in April 2007 for Volunteering Australia
Training OpportunitiesTraining Opportunities
TIP 6 - Ideas to recognise our volunteers Create Volunteer buttons and pins
Grant InformationGrant Information
Department of Planning and Community Development
Victorian Volunteer Small Grants (ongoing)
Purpose – these grants are to encourage local community organisations to attract new volunteers from diverse backgrounds and create new volunteering opportunities Amount – up to $5,000 Victoria Community Support Grants – Strengthening Communities (ongoing)
Purpose – funding to organisations, networks and partnerships to implement projects that will advance the interests of their communities. Create opportunities to develop skills and leadership abilities, connect or build on existing resources and investments Amount – up to $500,000 Victorian Community Support Grants – Building Community Infrastructure (ongoing)
Purpose – building or upgrading community centres and other community infrastructure to create more accessible multi purpose facilities that meet a range of community groups and organisations needs. Funding for multipurpose areas only Amount – up to $1,000,000 (Funding Ratios apply) National Youth Week Grants (closes 30 October 2009)
Purpose – National Youth Week Grants celebrate and recognise the value of all young Victorians in their local communities by funding events, projects and activities organised for young people by young people during National Youth Week. Examples of previous projects include art focus, exhibitions, festivals and forums Amount – up to $5000 How to apply: Application forms and additional information can be found at www.grants.dcpd.vic.gov.au
Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal FRRR Victorian 2009 Bushfire Grants Program
The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) has in response to the devastating bush fires developed a collaborative grants program supporting 2009 Victorian Bushfire affected or impacted communities - The Repair Restore Renew Grants Program. What can be funded? Grants from $1,000 and up to $30,000 will be provided to organisations that can clearly demonstrate the following:
• Projects must be for a charitable purpose ie. for the broader community benefit. All applications for projects with a charitable purpose will be received and considered
• Projects which contribute to community renewal and or rebuilding in the areas of social and community wellbeing, economic, environmental, health, education and cultural areas will be considered
• Projects which are identified as part of the community recovery plans and by Community Recovery Committees in bushfire affected communities will receive priority
• Projects requiring assistance and which can demonstrate a benefit in the medium to long term (12-36 months after the fires)
• Projects that avoid replication and are complementary to other funding sources
• Not for Profit organisations with an ABN or Incorporation Certificate will be eligible for consideration.
The program has stated closing dates and will operate until all funds have been allocated. Applicants will be advised within 6 to 8 weeks of the closing date. Closing dates for funding rounds: 30 November 2009 22 February 2010, 24 May 2010, 23 August 2010 and 22 November 2010 How to apply: Application forms are available at www.frrr.org.au TIP 7 - Ideas to recognise our volunteers
Celebrate formal recognition events such as International Volunteer Day and National Volunteer Week with dinners, teas, dessert buffets, BBQ, morning teas, etc
Recent Training OpportunitiesRecent Training Opportunities
Conservation Volunteers Australia in partnership with Toyota Australia proudly offer a series of free volunteer management workshops throughout Australia. The free workshop series is designed to share experiences and expertise with volunteer managers and coordinators (paid and unpaid) from all community groups and volunteer organisations. Conservation Volunteers and Toyota Australia have worked in partnership for a number of years – together we are working to recruit, recognise and reward volunteers.
On Wednesday 14 October, Conservation Volunteers Australia and Toyota presented one of these community group workshops at The Centre in Wangaratta on the subject of ‘Change Management for Community Groups’.
Community groups in attendance learned that Change needs to be managed and conducted in the appropriate sequence to be successful. Many organisations embark on implementing a new organisational structure or a process yet do not succeed in imbedding it within the organisational culture. Participants attending the workshop were taught the eight fundamental steps required in implementing change. Feedback from the group:
“I encourage Toyota and CVA to continue these valuable sessions for our community groups. Opportunities like these strengthen our community groups; helping us to continue our valuable work. Thanks for coming to the North East.” “Good strategies for improving meetings and allowing the team to get on board with changes.” “A great sponsorship deal and good to see corporate $$ going into the public sector.” “Due to financial reasons my organisation would not have been able to allow me to attend, so thank you for a free workshop.” “This workshop will be life changing for me as I am in multiple organisations and all are experiencing difficulties. This workshop will assist me greatly in coping and moving forward instead of stagnating.”
Thank you to our local Toyota Wangaratta Motors Manager Mr Andrew Gormly and Graeme Hickingbotham from Conservation Volunteers Australia (pictured above) for presenting this wonderful workshop in support of our community groups and organisations; we hope to see these workshops return to our region very soon.
For information about Community Skillsbank or to register, visit our website at
www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au
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Look out for our next edition in January 2010