Online Volunteer Management Training

Volunteering Victoria is offering an innovative online volunteer management training programme designed specifically for those who work with volunteers.  This programme has been developed by Susan Ellis of Energize Inc. who conducted popular workshops in New Zealand in 2005, and has an Australian Advisory Committee headed by Andy Fryar of OzVPM.  A sample seminar and a self-instruction guide can be found on the Energise website.  For id, enter peekvictoria   For password enter every1                   Ruth G

Voluntary Sector Report

Statistics New Zealand have released a report showing that the effort donated to non-for-profit institutions in Aotearoa New Zealand by more than one million volunteers can be equated to 2.3% of GDP.   These volunteers work an average of 5.1 hours per week, considerably more than in Australia or Canada.  31% of the population aged over 12 years is volunteering within one of our 97,000 not-for-profit institutions, while countless others volunteer in less formal ways.  The full Non-profit Institutions Satellite Account 2004 report can be found on the Statistics Department website.  Ruth G.

Community Service Awards – Christchurch

Each Christchurch City Council Community Board makes Awards each year to individuals or groups whose voluntary work benefits their community.  Nominations close on Monday 30 April.  Contact your local Service Centre for a nomination form.
                                                                                                            Ruth G

Volunteer Awareness Week 17-23 June

We’ve got a great programme planned for this week.  One of the highlights will be our annual Volunteer Recognition Awards.  If you’re a member of Volunteering Canterbury, start thinking now about that special volunteer or group of volunteers whom you could nominate for an Award.  If you’re not a member, but you’d love to be able to nominate someone, contact us for a registration kit and become a member soon.  Membership qualifies you to attend workshops at discounted prices and you get our monthly newsletter keeping you up-to-date with what’s going on in the world of volunteering.
                                                                                                                  Ruth G

Happy New Volunteering Year

We’re back online after a well-deserved break.  The beginning of a new year is a great time to be thinking about how we’re going to look after ourselves.  Now’s the time to plan for:

Professional Development
Peer support
Breaks during the year
Celebrations

Volunteer Awareness Week 2007 will be 17 – 23 June.  What will you be doing to mark ‘our’ week?                             RuthG

Recognising Young Volunteers

If you know a young volunteer in Canterbury who deserves to get recognition for the work they do, please nominate them for Volunteering Canterbury’s Youth Volunteer Awards. 

You don’t have to be a member of Volunteering Canterbury.  Any not-for-profit organisation or project can nominate. 

Nomination forms can be downloaded from our website, and nominations close on Friday 3 November.        Ruth G

New Website for Migrants and Refugees

This new website, created by ESOL Assessment and Access Specialist Services has information about services available to Migrants and Refugees.  It also provides an ability to make appointments online with free Assessment Services.

In Christchurch this free Assessment Service is provided by Gabrielle Humphreys at the Refugee and Migrant Centre.   Gabrielle gives information about suitable training that can assist Migrants and Refugees to become integrated into our community.

Volunteering is a way that many Migrants and Refugees learn more about Aotearoa New Zealand and its people.  If your organisation involves Refugees and Migrants, please let them know about this new website.   Ruth G

Training for Computer Trainers

A four day UPLIFT course is available free as part of the Government’s Digital Strategy.  This is targetted at community project workers who provide computer training in disadvantaged and underserved communities.  Each person who attends the course will be required to train another trainer in their community and commit to providing training to a specified number of people.  If you’d like to know more, phone 0800 944 847, or e-mail UPLIFT@whitireia.ac.nz     Ruth Gardner

Volunteer Awareness Week 2007

In 2007 our national Volunteer Awareness Week will be held 17-23 June.  The week has been shifted to allow for a longer gap after International Volunteer Day on 5 December.     Ruth Gardner

Christchurch Civic Awards 2006

Each year the Christchurch City Council grants a number of Civic Awards to individual Christchurch citizens and groups, in recognition of substantial service, usually of a voluntary nature, that benefits the city of Christchurch and its people. This year, nominations close on Friday 8 SeptemberWho can be nominated for an award?Any individual or organisation, that carries out substantial work usually of a voluntary nature, benefiting Christchurch and its people.

Areas of work include recreation, youth activities, social welfare, educational services, cultural affairs, religious affairs, community affairs and any other voluntary service that contributes to furthering Christchurch City Council’s vision for Christchurch.

Nomination forms are available from all council libraries, service

centres, Civic Offices and www.ccc.govt.nz/Community/Awards

Or phone Dave Adamson at the Council for more information (03 941 8775)
     Ruth Gardner