newsletter april may 2015

1 2nd level, 74 Grey St, Gisborne, Ph 8684522, email: [email protected] website: gisbornevolunteercentre.org.nz 1

Volunteer News Growing Vitality in a Volunteering Community

April / May 2015 Issue 54

Tena Koutou,

Next month is my tenth anniversary of managing the Volunteer Centre. Throughout those years, there

have been quite a few changes. The Centre has grown and the services offered have increased and it is

because of the support from our community that we have been able to grow. We may support individuals

wishing to volunteer and organisations seeking volunteers, but it is the people who take that step to vol-

unteer that underlies our service.

I have been humbled by the many generous people I have met, some with precious little themselves,

who have offered their time and resources to helping others. A diverse range of people who have come

from all over the world, each with their own reason for volunteering, have walked through the door and

have gone onto help other community organisations provide their services. For some, the discovery of vol-

unteering has changed their lives. It is one of the highlights of this job, to see the changes in volunteers as

they grow in self-confidence and awareness. Volun-

teering may be altruistic, but the benefits to oneself

are rewarding.

The nature of volunteering has changed over the

years and while traditional volunteering remains

steadfast, with one of the main reasons being a

strong sense of duty to help others, micro volunteer-

ing has increased and the volunteers motive may be

more self-orientated. For various reasons, such as a

limited period of time, the need to join the paid

workforce or simply being more interested in the ac-

tivity rather than the cause, some volunteers are

transient and how they become engaged depends on

how adaptable the organisation is.

By being creative and flexible, and planning activities

that are quick and easy to complete, organisations

can gain from transient involvement, which may as a

consequence, increase engagement and retention of

a wider range of volunteers. Finding a place for mi-

cro volunteering could complement existing pro-

grammes and encourage future interest.

Nku i roto i ng mihi, n

Jenny

2014 Youth Awards for Volunteering recipients.

2015 Gisborne Volunteer Centre

Youth Awards for Volunteering

Nominations are now open for the GVC

Youth Awards for Volunteering. If you

know of any young people who are con-

tributing to the community by volun-

teering their time , skills or manpower,

please consider recognising their contri-

bution by nominating them.

Forms available from our office or can be

emailed to you.

Nominations close Friday 8 May.


2

Jane Says When I grow up I want to be a volunteer manager

Manning the stand at the recent Careers Expo I noticed that there was not a rush as the doors opened

to the volunteer leadership stand in fact there wasnt a volunteer leadership stand! There wasnt

even a course listed or subject matter displayed for potential further education establishments. Inter-

esting that people dont aspire to becoming a leader of volunteers. How often have you heard a young

person say I want to be a volunteer manager when I grow up.

Why is that? Why is it still so hard to recognize the skills and abilities of those who manage and lead vol-

unteers?

For many that are in this role, they are there by chance or have drifted into this incredibly challenging

position by accident, for some they have taken on the role or been given it by others without realizing

the enormity of the task ahead.

Being a volunteer manager involves an incredible amount of diverse skills, human resources, support,

supervision, planning, training development, listening, the list goes on.

An extract from Volunteer New Zealands (VNZ) Introduction to Managing Volunteers says Talk to any

experienced volunteer manager and you will hear them say their role is being an advocate for volun-

teers within the organisation, an organiser of systems and processes ,a teacher and motivator, an ad-

ministrator with an eye for detail in maintaining volunteer records, a trouble shooter when things go

awry and a confidante of personal histories and experience when volunteers talk to you about their

concerns and domestic preoccupations .

For those who have entered into this role, managing volunteers can be extremely rewarding, the job

can be exciting and fulfilling.

Now who wouldnt want that for when they grow up?

If you would like more information on training and support opportunities for volunteer managers,

please contact Jane 068684522 or email: [email protected].

Regards Jane

Did you know New Zealand is a leading nation in the contribution made by volunteers.

New Zealand volunteers contribute more than 270 million unpaid hours of work valued at over $3.3 bil-lion to non-profit organisations.

1.2 million kiwis volunteer

The average number of hours that people volunteer per month for is 10

The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) December 2013 quarterly statistics on volunteering and donating in New Zealand shows that of the 28% of respondents who volunteered, 50% were male and 50% were female. that people between the ages of 40-49 volunteered the most. Information from VNZ website

mailto:[email protected].


http://nymagcom/scienceofus/2015/02/time-expanding-magic-of-volunteering.html

People Who Volunteer Are Happier With Their Work-Life Balance By Melissa Dahl Follow @melissadahl

Giving your time away can have strangely positive consequences.

If you feel that your job is eating up your life, then you probably also feel like you can't take on any addi-tional commitments even though you know you probably should be volunteering at your kid's school or a soup kitchen or something. Who has the time? Actually, you do, or you'll feel like you do once you start volunteering, suggests a new study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Its authors found that people who volunteer are happier with their work-life balance than those who don't volunteer, even when total actual free time is controlled for.

The researchers surveyed 746 full- and part-time workers in Switzerland, 35 percent of whom said they also volunteered at least a few times throughout the year. They asked the study participants about their job demands and their perception of their work-life balance. Finally, the participants also answered ques-tionnaires designed to measure their level of stress and job burnout.

As the researchers suspected, those who volunteered were also less stressed and less likely to feel burned out at work. But these respondents also reported feeling a better sense of work-life balance as compared to those who did not regularly volunteer, a finding which held even after the researchers con-trolled for the varied job demands and resources of the study participants.

"Volunteering, albeit energy and time-consuming, may contribute to a greater sense of balance for work-ers which might in turn positively influence health," the authors write in their paper. And this isn't the first study to suggest the time-stretching powers of volunteering; a 2012 paper in Psychological Science reported that when people volunteered their time to help others in some way, they reported a greater sense of "time affluence" compared to those who spent those same hours doing something to make themselves happy. Giving your time away doesn't exactly work the way you'd expect it to.

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

I slept, and I dreamt that life

was all joy.

I woke, and saw that life was

but service.

I served, and discovered that

service was joy.

- Rabindranath Tagore

New CEC Appointed

Scott Miller has been appointed Chief Executive of Volunteer-

ing New Zealand.

Scott who currently works for Charities Services and has a

broad background in the voluntary sector, will take up the

position on Tuesday 7 April.

We look forward to meeting Scott in the near future.

http://www.volunteeringnz.org.nz/http://nymag.com/author/Melissa%20Dahl/http://twitter.com/melissadahl


Community Notices GVC News

3 3

The Community Organisations Grants Scheme

is now open and closes 13 May.

Volunteer Coordinators Support Group

The purpose of the group is to provide support, connections and community inclusiveness in an informal and friendly way. The groups meets on the first Thursday of the month at 1.30 pm at Pov-erty Bay Cafe

April 2nd May 7th

June 4th July 2nd

August 6th September 3rd

October 1st

November 5th International Volunteer Managers Day celebration to be confirmed.

You do not have to register to attend. If you would like more information please contact Jane at Gis-borne Volunteer Centre 068684522 or email: [email protected]

We welcome new organisations:

If you belong to a community group

and would like to join the Gisborne Volunteer

Centre, please let us know.

Registration forms for organisations and volun-

teers are available on our website.

Workshops

Privacy and Confidentiality - How safe is your in-

formation - Louis Leung , Tairawhiti Community

Law Centre will present information keeping your

information and records safe and the Privacy Act

23rd April, 12.30- 2.00pm BNZ Partners Business

Centre Building - Haronga Room

Roles of Trustees Louis Leung , Tairawhiti Com-

munity Law Centre will present information on the

roles and responsibilities of trustees and com-

mittee members

21st May, 12.30pm-2.00pm BNZ Partners Business

Centre Building - Haronga Room

Please register with the Gisborne Volunteer Cen-

tre, limited to 14 places

Stroke Awareness Campaign

April 7 12

visit one of the sites around town on Thurs-

day 10 Friday 11 and Saturday 12

Microvolunteering Day

15th April

is all about encouraging yourself and others to

find some spare moments in your life to benefit

worthy causes. http://

microvolunteeringday.weebly.com/

microvlunteering-day---15th-april-2015.html


Volunteer Thanks

Thanks Kelly

The Fitz'n Herbert SPCA OP SHOP recently had a "FAREWELL MORNING TEA " for Kelly, who is re-turning to Tauranga. She is volunteering at Greer-ton SPCA OP Shop now .

Whinray Eco Trust

thanks Hans

Hans Eijdenberg has been a tower of support in the

construction and implementation of the Whinray

Scenic Reserve Sponsor a Hectare Fundraising

Project .

The Whinray Eco Trust was implemented to pro-

tect and enhance the ecological values in the

Whinray Scenic Reserve at Motu. Set up in 1999 to

assist the Department of Conservation the trust

now undertakes all ecological management in the

reserve including servicing a large network of pred-

ator control traps, monitoring of kiwi, weka and

other endangered wildlife species and have plans

to encourage environmental education and inter-

active conservation projects.

This is a challenging role with financial services and

funding bids being constantly sought.

Hans was approached to assist the Whinray Eco

Trust through the volunteer centre and has single

handed built the Whinray Eco Trust web site in

2014 and after countless hours of consultation

with myself has set up the Sponsor a Hectare page,

included links to Pay Pal and Give a Little creating a

highly successful campaign that I only dreamed of.

This project went live in February 2015 and to date

has raised approximately $10,000.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Hans

for his commitment and contribution.

Robyn Wilkie and the Trustees of the Whinray Eco

Trust. http://www.whinrayecotrust.org.nz/

Farewell Jim

Sadly, we mourned

the loss of a

selfless, kind, help-

ful man, who since

registering to vol-

unteer in 2011 has

contributed many,

many hours of vol-

untarily work for

quite a few differ-

ent organisations. Jim Williams filled his days help-

ing others. Whether it was driving the Red Cross

van, mowing lawns, visiting the elderly, guiding

cruise ship visitors around town, or helping differ-

ent organisations with events, Jim gave 100%. He

had the ability to mix with young and old and being

interested in what was going on. Jim sense of hu-

mour kept us laughing and his presence in the

building reassured us when needed in our previous

office. We valued Jims contribution and his gener-

osity to the community. Rest in peace, Jim.

Thank you to all who have

helped with the numerous ap-

peals and events lately, your

help is invaluable.


Volunteer Positions

For more information on positions available

contact us at

[email protected]

or check out our website:

www.gisbornevolunteer centre.org.nz

We also have jobs listed on SEEK Volunteer website: www.seekvolunteer.co.nz

Gisborne Crime Prevention Camera Trust

Help keep our CBD a safer place by joining the team of volunteers who monitor the crime prevention cameras in our city. Service operates day and night so options of times available to volunteers.

St John Friends of the Emergency De-partment (FEDS ) Do you have a kind nature? Are you patient, have good listening skills and would be able to relate and support people who have arrived in the Local Emergency department.

ST John -Friends of the Emergency Department are seeking new volunteers to join the team in providing this service. Training and support offered, clean police check required.

Craft and Care Centre are looking for crafty people to help with the Tuesday morning pro-gramme, which provides a mix of art and craft ac-tivities to people who are elderly, and/or those with disabilities.

Cancer Society has numerous positions and tasks available to suit all types of time commit-ments, interests and skills , including baking, raffle sitting, sorting garage sale donations , overseeing electrical item certification and selling on garage sale days, cleaner, daffodil day collectors , flower pickers, volunteer drivers, window washer, handy persons with electrical, building experience for those small jobs.

Age Concern are seeking volunteers to assist

their local elderly in their home environment.

Supported through Age Concern, volunteers

would visit and provide support and companion-

ship.

Salvation Army Annual Red Shield Appeal

4th -9th MayCollectors are needed to help, can you spare a couple of hours.

Hospice are seeking volunteers for their local Hospice Op Shop. Particularly afternoon shifts 1-4pm on Tuesdays-Friday.

A variety of tasks available ,sorting, window ,shelf and clothing displays and customer service.

Gisborne Volunteer Centre

We are always on the lookout for new volun-

teers to assist with local annual appeals. If you

have a preference of organisation or cause you

wish to collect for you can let us know.

SPCA have a variety of jobs available including

general maintenance and cleaning, dog walkers

and call takers, variety of tasks and shifts avail-

able, recommended shifts three hours.

Three Rivers Community Patrol are look-

ing for community car drivers and observers for

community patrol. Be the eyes and ears of the

police, recording and reporting suspicious be-

haviour. Day and night shifts available


5

Thanks to the following funders for continuing to provide funding

throughout the year and to the businesses who have kindly help us

and support us

Our Mission is to:

Strengthen our community by providing a climate that encourages volunteering

Board Members Fleur Paenga Chairperson Diane Carter _ Secretary Brian Cochrane Treasurer Monique CarlyleYouth representative Grant MacDonald Office Staff Jenny Greaves -Manager Jane Kibble Coordinator Kay ClarkeOffice Support Jane PutnamDesigner Office hours: 9:00 2.00 pm Week days Street Address: Level 2, River Oaks Mews, 74 Grey St Postal Address: P O Box 105, Gisborne Phone: (06) 8684522 Email:

[email protected]

Check out our website:

www.gisbornevolunteercentre.org.nz

Follow us on: Member of Volunteering NZ

J N Williams Memorial Trust

helping you to find a place to

volunteer


P O Box 105

GISBORNE 4040

Core Functions of a Volunteer Centre

Raise the profile and promote volunteering

Facilitate community connections

Provide information, advice and support on volunteering

Work with volunteering organisations to develop volunteering opportunities

Promote and advocate for the interests of volunteers

Work with organisations to develop volunteer opportunities

Work with organisations to develop and maintain standards

Promote management of volunteers as a profession

Honour the Treaty of Waitangi

Please let us know .

If your details have changed.

If you have changed your address,

If you dont want to continue receiving our news letter:

Phone 8684522 or

Email: [email protected]

Thank you

Happy Volunteering! E noho r

Growing Vitality in a Volunteering Community...

Org_ Name

Address

Address 2 / Suburb

City

newsletter april may 2015

Documents

volunteering community

volunteering nominations

volunteering recipients

traditional volunteering

nature of volunteering

volunteer news

volunteer leadership

community organisations