July has been another exciting month not only for Volunteering WA, but also for the sector, with new announcements, opportunities and events.
I’m delighted to share that six Volunteer Resource Centres (VRCs) will be funded during 24/25 through the Department of Social Services Volunteer Management Activity Program. This funding will enable VRCs to help build capacity of volunteer involving organisations, break down barriers and increase accessibility for people in priority groups. We look forward to working closely with these VRCs to achieve the goals of the VMA Program in the coming year. Read more and see the recipients below.
Last week we had the pleasure of hosting our third CEO Roundtable event for Volunteering WA members to discuss key volunteering issues and gain insights into the state government priorities ahead of the state election. Guest speaker Mark Reed from Anacta presented on the policy-making landscape, what is front of mind for voters, WA State Government priorities and how we might engage in the lead-up to election season. The roundtable discussed a range of policy settings affecting volunteering and will help strengthen Volunteering WA’s policy submissions going forward. I’d like to thank all attendees for a fruitful discussion and their contribution to advance volunteering in WA.
I amvery proud to share that the feedback from our National Week Volunteer (NVW) Grants Process is in. Volunteering WA partnered with Lotterywest for the past seven years to deliver the NVW volunteer celebration grants program. In 2024 we distributed grants totalling $340K to 253 volunteer involving organisations. Feedback from grant recipients this year show a 100% very satisfied and satisfied rating, an amazing result deserving a big shout-out for our grants team at Volunteering WA, Lotterywest and the volunteering sector.
In addition to thanking volunteers through celebratory events, annual reports are an important form of recognition. Acknowledging volunteer impact and support might be through testimonials, statistics on hours, types of roles, activities, sharing evaluation feedback and stories. Whichever you choose, acknowledging volunteer impact in annual reports goes a long way in demonstrating your appreciation of their contributions.
Thank you for your support and I hope you enjoy this month’s edition of our Sector Newsletter. As always, happy volunteering.
Tina Williams Volunteering WA CEO
Volunteering WA News
The latest updates from your peak body for volunteering
Are you interested in joining the WA Volunteer Community Reference Group?
Volunteering WA convenes the Volunteering Community Reference Group for the Minister for Volunteering. The group meets quarterly, and we are currently seeking EOIs for community members to join.
This is a unique opportunity for you to have your say and to help shape volunteering in WA. We are looking for a diverse range of perspectives to be heard. Applications close on Friday 9 August 2024.
Three Year Action Plan | National Strategy for Volunteering
July has been an exciting time for the National Strategy, with the transition from the first-year Establishment Phase to the first Three-Year Action Plan phase.
Volunteering Australia will be launching the Three Year Action Plan soon—stay tuned for information on the launch event.
Save the date | Volunteering WA
International Volunteer Day Garden Party
With over 1.5 million volunteers in Western Australia, International Volunteer Day is a day for mass celebration. Each year on the Thursday closest to International Volunteer Day, Volunteering WA hosts over 500 volunteers at our garden party in the stunning gardens of Government House. We would love for you to save the date, Thursday 5 December, for the 2024 International Volunteer Day Garden Party.
Volunteering WA Research Grant - Murdoch & Connecting Communities
Earlier this year, we invited applications to our VWA Research Grant program, which funds research that advances the body of knowledge for volunteering and also supports Early Career Researchers.
We are pleased to announce that Murdoch University has been selected as the successful recipient in 2024. Their project “Connecting communities: Engaging informal volunteers in local contexts” will work with their research partner Chorus Australia to explore the extensive, but not deeply understood, area of informal volunteering. The lead researcher from Murdoch University is Dr Moira Watson.
National Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Program
Did you know that by joining as a member with Volunteering WA, you and your volunteer managers and leaders are able to join Volunteering WA's National Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Program for FREE for the first year? *conditions apply
If you or your organisation, club or group values your volunteer managers' or leaders' professional development, then sign them up now!
The "simple and effective" tool perfect for volunteer organisations
Did you know you can licence Volunteering WA’s volunteer directory for your own website?
"The VIKTOR position widget is a fantastic tool for giving potential volunteers easy access to volunteer roles," says Carl from the Busselton Dunsborough Volunteer Centre. "It can be customised to show only roles within your catchment area or used to advertise roles across Australia...This is a great tool that will enhance the experience of people interacting with your website."
Volunteering WA is currently developing a social media series featuring Volunteer Managers. We've got some incredible Volunteer Managers in WA, and we want to recognise them and share their insights with the community.
If you know a great Volunteer Manager (or want to nominate yourself!), let us know via the button below.
Volunteer Management funding for six WA Volunteer Resource Centres
The Minister for Social Services, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, recently announced funding for six Western Australian Volunteer Resource Centres of $50,000 in 2024-25.
Helping organisations prepare for spontaneous emergency volunteers
Volunteering WA conducted a review of spontaneous volunteer engagement in five recent emergencies in WA, and is happy to share our Report. This Report documents lessons learned, procedural gaps, best practices, and provides recommendations from those involved for effectively engaging with spontaneous volunteers during emergencies to enhance safety and resilience in the region.
If your community group or organisation would like information on how to prepare for spontaneous emergency volunteers (non-frontline community volunteers) following an emergency, please contact Volunteering WA's Emergency Services Project Coordinator, Sumayyah Ahmad via sumayyah@volunteeringwa.org.au.
From 5-11 August, the nation will be celebrating our wonderful student volunteers! We invite all education providers, volunteer organisations and students across WA to participate. From social media templates to ideas for celebrating, the dedicated National Student Volunteer Week website has everything you need to participate. Check it out via the button below.
Ten years of fitting wheelchairs for kids worldwide: Meet Lois Moir
From Mongoliato Kenya, Lois has had an incredible volunteering journey and changed the lives of children all over the world.
We caught up with Lois to discuss her experiences in developing countries across the world and the impact of her volunteering efforts. Read all about her story below!
Foundations for Future Giving – volunteering recognised
Volunteering WA actively advocated for volunteering, as part of the review undertaken by the Productivity Commission into giving in Australia. We made formal submissions, co-hosted the only roundtable into volunteering with the Commission and made representation at a public hearing held in Perth earlier this year. We thank those in the sector that contributed to this advocacy, including through participation in the roundtable.
The Productivity Commission has released their final report which found that:
Volunteering can help build social capital
Volunteering is critical to charities, with half of all charities having no paid staff
There is a need to build better links between First Nations communities and volunteering networks
Unnecessary duplication and cost of volunteer screening is a barrier to volunteering
There is a need for better data on volunteering from the ABS
Cost are a major barrier to more volunteering
There is a preference for more government grants to support volunteering (particularly to reduce the cost of insurances for small volunteer organisations) to providing tax deductibility of costs.
One of their major findings was that governments at all levels should improve their consultation with volunteers and the sector when designing programs and operational changes.
Applications open for Emerging Leaders in Governance Program
Engaging Young Leaders on Aged Care & Community Boards is calling for applications from young leaders (under 40 years of age) who are keen to learn more about governance by participating in a four month face-to-face program in order to become a Board Director of a not-for-profit organisation board. Applications close on 30 September, so make sure you read the Program Prospectus and apply soon.
Last chance: National Carers Week Grants closing 2 August
Carers WA recently announced their Community Activity Grants, which are for not-for-profit organisations and community groups looking to host an event or activity in WA during National Carers Week. They're looking for events that demonstrate diversity, inclusion, and positive impact for carers, be it a relaxing morning tea, an educational workshop, a cultural gathering, or a mindfulness activity. Applications close at 4pm on Friday 2nd August 2024, so get in quick!
City of Joondalup Community Funding Program opening soon
If you're a volunteer involving organisation within the City of Joondalup, this one's for you! The City of Joondalup's Community Funding Program provides financial support to incorporated community groups to conduct projects, programs, events or activities that benefit the City of Joondalup community. For further information, use the button below or get in touch via community.funding@joondalup.wa.gov.au.
Call for mobile phone donations for young people navigating the criminal justice system
Hello Initiative supports young people aged 10-17 who are navigating the criminal justice system while living at home under community-based orders. Their Mobile Support program equips these individuals with refurbished mobile phones, crucial tools that help them fulfil their community order requirements and pave the way for a brighter future.
To continue this service, they require more mobile phones. If you have any mobile phones in your home or workplace and can be donated to this program, please contact Hello Initiative via the button below. All phones are wipes and reset before they're given out.
This interactive information session will explore the refreshed eight National Standards for Volunteer Involvement, implementing them, aligning them to your program, and more.
Developing relationships with other organisations, recognising the skills your volunteers already have, and understanding funders' requirements are only a few of the topics discussed in this session.
Developing relationships with other organisations, recognising the skills your volunteers already have, and understanding funders' requirements are only a few of the topics discussed in this session.
Are you based in the Pilbara and interested in learning more about how corporate volunteers might assist your organisations? Hear from our Regional Coordinators about how you can take advantage of this service.
In this one-hour session, you will learn about the Volunteer Engagement Lifecycle including developing a best practice framework, risk management, continuous improvement, and more.
Volunteering WA empowers people and communities to enrich Western Australia.
Volunteering WA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation, and to other Aboriginal people and communities across Western Australia where we work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
Volunteering WA, Level 1, 3 Loftus Street, West Leederville, WA 6007, Australia, +61 8 9482 4333
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