National Volunteer Week- 10 Ways to Make it an Every Day Event!

National Volunteer Week (NVW) provides the opportunity to promote and recognise volunteering as well as recruit more people to volunteering through education. But are we gaining a society ‘buy-in’ on the value of volunteering asks D. J. Cronin-a Manager of Volunteer Services in Brisbane.

And Cronin asks how do we ensure volunteering is being supported by society and Government all year round?

Here is his top ten wish list!

1. Volunteer programs are adequately resourced by organizations
2. Volunteers are treated as equal members of any organisational team
3. Volunteers have meaningful work
4. Peak bodies for volunteers and resource centre’s are supported by society, corporations and government without losing an independent voice
5. Peak bodies for volunteers are highly accountable to those in the volunteering sector and are transparent in their actions and governance
6. Volunteer management is taken seriously and supported and resources are made available to ensure effective and professional volunteer management
7. Volunteering remains fluid with many flavours and colours and remains unrestricted by dogma
8. The volunteering sector adapts to emerging trends with respect and flexibility.
9. Open and free dialogue is encouraged bringing disparate views together to encourage the growth of volunteering with no one claiming ownership of ideas and ideals
10. Volunteering is treated with respect.

Sounds pretty simple doesn’t it?

D.J. Cronin is an immediate past President of the Australasian Association of Volunteer Administrators and a current member, Cronin is a faculty member with the Annual Retreat for Advanced Volunteer Management in Australasia which provides an advanced level training opportunity for volunteer managers as well as supporting the emerging profession of volunteer manager.

You can contact DJ on Acim4me@live.com